The celebration of this day has become general and has assumed a special
and beautiful character. It might have been feared that angry passions
engendered by civil strife would predominate, but the very reverse of
this is true. Kindness and charity, tender memories of the sacrifices of
patriotism, the duty of caring for the living and of avoiding all that
might lead again to the sad necessity of war, are the sentiments nearly
always inculcated.
The following are a few of the toasts that may be given at celebrations, or
banquets, or at the exercises that form a part of the annual decorating of
soldiers' graves:
The Martyred Dead--the Regiments locally represented--the Army and
Navy--any Dead Soldier especially prominent--the Union Forever--the
Whole Country--Victory always for the Right--the Surviving Soldiers and
Sailors--Unbroken Peace--the Commander-in-Chief, and other officers locally
honored--any special battle whose field is near at hand--the Flag with all
its Stars undimmed.