Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day
was established in 1868 by General Order No. 11 of the then
Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, John A. Logan.
The
reason for its designation as "Decoration Day" is obvious from
the Order. We present the text of that Order in full here because it
not only sums up what the holiday was originally intended to achieve, but
it does so in words that are, at times, eloquent:
General
Order
No. 11
Headquarters, Grand Army of the Republic
Washington,
D.C., May 5, 1868
Return to DownStreet
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 or ceremony is prescribed, but posts and
comrades
will in their own way arrange such fitting services and
testimonials
of respect as circumstances may permit.
We are organized,
comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose,
among other
things, "of preserving and strengthening 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 by cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic
dead,
who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its
foe?
Their
soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains,
and
their death a 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 hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the
coming
and going of reverent visitors and found 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 free and undivided republic.
If other eyes grow dull and
other hands slack, and other hearts cold in
the solemn trust, ours
shall keep it well as long as the light and
warmth of life remain in
us.
Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their
sacred remains
and garland the passionless mounds above them with
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 as
sacred charges upon the
Nation's gratitude, __ the soldier's and
sailor's widow and orphan.
II. It is the purpose of the
Commander-in-Chief to inaugurate this
observance with the hope 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
desires the public press to call 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 simultaneous compliance
therewith.
III.
Department commanders will use every effort to make this order
effective.
By
command of:
John A. Logan,
Commander-in-Chief
N. P. Chipman,
Adjutant-General
Remember.
...
If you would like to submit an
article for our Religion & Spirit section, please e-mail us at ...
If
we use your piece, we will be happy to pay you a small honorarium.
{See our Freelancers
Wanted page for more details.}
