National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-05-11
THTL CONFEDERATE aRAYE,.
Asshr 6 Of the Southern Memorial ASSOciS'
cion-A Talk about Decoration Day.

Aeenr G Of the Southern Memorial Associs-
tion-A Talk about Decoration Day.
An adjourned meeting of the Southern Memo
dAl Association was held last night at Finley's
Hall; d.. A. Y. p. Garrett in the chair and D.
W. P. Young secretary.
The Chair stated the object OF the meeting to
be the question of the decoration Of Confederate
soldiers graves, and to hear the report Of the
chairman Of the board Of managers Of the associa-
ton in regard to the condition Of the graves Of the
Confederate dead at Arlington.
stated he had not been able to obtain the infor-
nation from the quartern aster, 5 department that
he expected. He eaTleu Wedne sday and saw
the care Of the cemeteries. They had no author
ity further than to preserve the records OF the
ConfedeFates inferred At Arlington ana tney hAa
EoAUTHoRITY
to make improvements further than that Of pre-
serving the record of those buried. They stated
that In consequence Of many Of the heGdboardS
becoming decayed, new ones would be erected,
but nothing further. He had conversations W1th
others in the Department, End they manifested
general good feeling, and were willing TO do all
they could to make such improvements as would
prevent distinction among the dead. They eI.
pressed pleasure regarding the manner in which
the Grand Army Of the Republic have acted. He
brought to the sense of their obligation to the
American soldier, and that feeling which had
formerly existed had died out These gentlemen
of the department had expressed the desire that
BOTH ORGANIZATIONS
would unite on the same footing, and show no
distinction. He (Dr. OnlTer) had been informed
by member Of the g. A. r. that an invitation
Association to participate in the decoration oere
monies at Arlington. The only objection this
the minds OF the members OF the g. A. Z. that
the Southern Memorial Association was made up
Of Southern sympathIEers, and not soldiers.
The Doctor denied the asse rtton, and stat
that, so far as he knew, he was the only member
who had not been q soldier. He was in the South,
in charge Of q hospital in Georgia. He opposed
the war but after Il began he did all he could to
serve the South. At the next meeting Of the q.
A. r. these facts would be laid before the organi-
be extended. the Doctor favored letting the mat
ter rest until the g. A. r. could be heard from,
and if nothing was done, then go ahead and dec
crate the Confederate graves on the first day In
June, as had been decided upon by the associa-
tion.
VIEWS OF DR.. GARNET.
Dr. Garnett said Ia regard to that portion Of
DR.. CulVer's report which related TO improve
ments and repairs he approved, but in reference
to remaining inactive until the q. a. Il. should
act he held very strong objections. He favored
Rdhertng to the action already taken by the as
ISOLATION, and not waiting fer the q. A K. The
object springs from the feeling for those buried.
1t Was well known that on all occasions Of deco
rations a cIass Of people 20 to Arlington who
would not hesitate to offer insult, and therefore,
in order to avoid taking any risks. the association
When the management OF the Government falls
into other hands affairs would be different. He
took the ground Tor another reason, that was
from the fact that he did not consider the Grand
Army OF the Republic composed Of represents
tive soldiers and further that he did not want to
Mr. Wilson desired 3 full representation on the
committee Of the Grand Army Of the Republic
having the decoration in charge, but he did not
desire the association to make . bid for an inVi-
Dr. Garrett thought it best to have deOOrs-
ton day
INDEPENDENT OF THE GRAND ARMY OF THE
REPuRIIC
and thereby prevent the possibility Of any un-
pleaEantness.
DR.. Culver said he did not desire to wait for any
action OF the Grand Army Of the Republic, but
thought II good policy TO defer action for little
while, and II the Grand Army OF the Republic
should send an invitation such as could be &C
cepted ala would be right. II not, the Memorial
Association could go ahead in their own way.
He would not commit the association, but he
did desire TO show disposition to meet the g. A.
r. half way, and try TO break down all distnc-
ITEMS and reach across the chasm which should
MI. Dean said Il had been decided to decorate
on q different day from the q. A. R., and it
would be discourteous to the absent members Of
the association TO change that decision. -Four
years ago the q. A. r. had
A DETAIL OF MARINES
at Arlington, and all the flowers they saw on
Confederate graves they threw of with their
bsyoneIs. He believed that the men who COM
posed the G. A. X. were those who enlisted early
In the war, were obliged to leave their homes,
and by some means they got into the hospitals,
ana from there into the ulHeLent departments OF
the Government. He opposed bidding for an In
Vitation.
DR.. Garrett hoped gentlemen would avoid any
remarks Of political nature. 1t Hasnot politi-
cal organization.
Mr.. Dean moved that the report Of the beard Of
managers be received as information and be re-
committed to the board. Adopted.
DR.. Garnett called attention to the necessity OF
deciding on the question OF decoration Of the
graves as q great amount Of work was to be done
DR.. Culver said he would call together the
board Of managers and take the matter into con-
EidSration.
Mr.. Dean moved that all soldiers of the Federal
and the late Confederate armies be cordially in
vited to 10Th the Southern Memorial Association
in decorating the graves at Arlington, June l,
1875. Adopted.
The meeting then adjourned,