, 1869-06-12
DECORATION DAY.

Why Tho Graves Oh Rebel Soldiers
We're Not Dccor&atcI-A Statement
From tho E1eaxdquNr.ers of Giac
Grand Army Of tile Republic.
TIE following statement, prepared at the tn-
e!ahce 81 t;eneral 3ohn A. Logan, Co!umander-tn-
EaE! T. Collins, Adiatani General, Is published:
HEiDq'Es GnAsD Al:MT or TT. Rs:Cnl.c)
No III +. STREET.
WASHINGTON, d. e., Jcne Z. ls6a
1t seems Proper, tu yleT Of the many mss1e1.e-
sentat'crs nn,s comments m1tlo u :, portion Of
the press here mad elsewhere in rEntinn TO the
action At Arlington to prevent rnr demonstration
Di eF tho graves 0f the rebel dead buried there,
lhat some statement shon:d lie made With the
view Of Indicating the rotT1s and pErpoIcs OF
.s IN feao ~ = % f :9 ss aA1
over the graves OF those who died that the rcpnb-
Lie might i've.
Arlington directed She placing q; GuarI over the
--ascs OF the gchel so!l:c: ss::S2 ,acsc .::.. so
view OF Informing those VITO, surprising that
Lnion sUldlers lny beneath, might .:noEaat!y
prevent aug such unseeni: act ~ TIT dust: n. ;
occo5aHE " those s7avcs, to e!t':ct which, Il l.,
VEL Hnown, 'nese VAS parpose oa :ae rart Of
Dains, with tho - Inst caIae.''
II is believed that the charges against the r1a-
4Tay jis,aL', OF this city, arc wiifui exac7sra-
ttons- The gnsrt received their INSTRUCTIONS
iroul the committee. aAl It Is believed that thev
II
spirit.
W., however. address our.clves hstc7Y to n
ttstclncns Of the design had In arranging this
memorial sily and Its bcaEtl(ul Ceremonies
The Grand .aEmy Ct the lsepupuc SEEKS 70 hoaor
End preserve the principles ali iHsts: i.!ons To-
which ttS members and their dead comrades
fought To keep green the memory Of the latter
Ii 10 make Stronger tile Devotion to those who
ysEe. Hence the Institution NJ .'ruemnriai day."
i'snec roo '.e netsssi'E of conning It TO the dac
holy PURPOSE tnhtcated-ttat Of h0nogtnT the Mrn
Who died that tho nltinn might llvc o1d Of the1e-
bJ rcEsiLg in cur hearts, and Ut those who NE to
conle after us. tie lofts de, otion 10 freedom aud
Heribltcan nainna.!tv, which IIarsesl tho R.ll1Y-
les grand army Of the dead. Is such ret IL
compatible with the nobiest ilea OF sua1nantm!iy :.
Ne .noW It ~ not We 5trew lowers therefor
On the graves Of cur comrades, aid prevent tacir
being stE~u In the national cemeteries ut the
same time on the crnyes OF such rebel dead as
may tE hiirtesI therein, not because We cherish
cnr feelings Of hate, or desire to :1i.ir.h ovez
individual! loes, hut because We seek - marx ia
which the nation regards freedom and slavery.
loyalty alnl treason, Republican principles AID
those of slase-eol,:ta9. c!garchy. We ere
rrat'y 70 fosg..ve-7Ee hold ro E.!;ce-ha:
tribute to obl!tera'e the wile guif witch
lts between the ob;:c.s, rotitc,, aal
principles tar Ha:c't ": fought aai
cur com?nes de: a:s.1 these for which
The rel,el a.oe1 bau.''t1 together, md for which
Mtie dead row lie in numerous grarcs. TheJ
wc1e brave. aud tie SHo:r f:-aoac can bett7- ap-
nret!aie That tact tl'aH those who fought against
Their. Hut U,crc courage never cnnDb!ed treason.
1t ranrr turn slavery iuro liberty, nor make des-
tues. Or rtFusa tn decorate rebel graves makes
not hatred OF ihetr occupants or fteaas, but CIR
uht'E!Hg tasth:::: 70 the tleas for whlca s.i:y
fouGa: and died To do less than keep this t!is
the republic I1oe1. WV. T. CoL1ISs,
Adjntans General G. l. Il.