Memorial Day

National Headquarters, Grand Army of the Repüblic. f Qeneral Orders, No. 11. Nineteen years ago the then commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, in general orders, set apart the 30th day of May and suggested that it be consecrated to the memory of the fallen soldiers of the nation. Thia being the first Memorial Day occuring since his death, the Commanderin-Chief asks that the eloquent and appropriate words of general orders No. 11, 1868, uttered by that illustrious soldier and beloved comrade, John A. Logan, be again taken as inspiration and guidance for the 3Oth day of May, 1887. Headquarters, ) Grand Army of the Republio. $ Washington, D. C, May 5th, 1868. General Orders, No. 11. I. The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and eomrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimoniáis as circutnstanoes may permit. We are organized, comrades, as our regulations teil us, for the purpose, among otner things, "of preserving and strengtheiring those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion." What can aid more to assure this result than cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroie dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes? Their soldier Uves were the reveille of freedom to a race in chams, and their death the tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallcwéd grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic. If other eyes grow dull and other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep t well as long as the light and warmth of life remain to us. Let us, then, at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor ; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upoD a nation's gratitude - the soldier'g and sailor's widow and orphan. II. It is the purpose of the Commaderin-Chief to inaugúrate this observanoe with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desired the public press to cali attention to this order, and lend its friendly aid in bringing it to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for gimultaneous compliance therewith. III. Department commanders will use eery effort to make this order effective. By command of John A. Logan, Commander-in-Chief. N. P. Chipman, Adjutant General. By command of Lucios Fairchild, Commander-in Chiet. E. B. Gray, Adjutant General. Madison, Wis., April 15, 1887. Senator Hoar is reifarded as the best authority on American history in the body.