New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-06-25
Pull Down the Flag.

There is ehort story of an American
flag to be told here, which reads strangely
in the centennial year. A small orgapiza.
ton of ex-Union soldiers and sailors has
been in existence in this city for number
of years, called q Post of the Grand Army
of the Republic. 1t makes TO display.
Every year it is seen at tbs National Gene
terry decorating the graves of dead COM
rades. The meetings of the Grand Army of
the Republic are social in character. The
comrades loved to 60 there and talk over
the cid campaigns, and revive the as
sociatioIs and pleasant memories of
the past. 1t was a little home for
loyal words and loyal hearts in strange
land. The Grand Army of the Republic is
IN no sense a political organization. The
comrades are strongly imbucd with Union
sentiments, it is true, remembering for
what they fought; but allowing others the
right to hold different opinions they have
never greatly offended the general public.
For two or three years past the Grand
Army Post has rented and paid rent for
small hall in the third story of building
belonging to the Home Insurance Company,
No. 78 Camp street.-The Home Insurance
Company, established A. D. 1852, as we are
informed by the letter heading before US.
This hall was sub-let to the American Union
Club. We have said that the Grand Army
is not a political organization, aud until
now good feeling has existed between land
lord and tenants regarding the renting Of
the hall; but change has come in the feel
ings of the property holders against the
soldiers. When Hayes, . gallant soldier,
was nominated at Cincinnati to be Presi-
dent of the United States, the boys cf the
club, in an outburst Of enthusiasm .nd re-
joicing at the good fortune Of an old COM
rade, who had led the way where many Of
them had marched, threw out from the hall
window en- American flag, bearing the names
of Hayes and Wheeler. If flinging to the
breeze the glorious stars and stripes Of the
Union, inscribed with the name of en- illus
triOus defender of that came flag, one who
for four years will have charge of it's honor
among nations, was an iDdiscretion, GER
tainly no offense was intended. Tenants
have certain privileges in all well regu-
lated cities; among such privileges iu this
city, that of putting ont flag in front Of
property you pay for is not counted. The
alternative is, you may pay rent for and
use my property; but you muet keep your
American flag and your Hayes and Wheeler
preferences out of sight. The following
chapter, which speaks for itself, finishes
the story:
Established A. D. 1852.
HOME ISsuRANcz C.NpANY OF New ORLEANS.
No. 70 Camp street,
New Orleans June "a, 1876.
VA Woodward. ESQ.,. Comm ander Grand Army of
the Republic, New Or cans, louisiana
DEAR SIR am instructed by the officers
of the company to request of you TO please
remove the flag displayed from the looms
occupied by you, for the reason that the
dire ctors OF the company are unwilling that
political flags of any kind whatever shall
be displayed from the building of the com
pany. We trust, therefore, that you will
comply with our request without delay, or
in the case you decline to do so am in
structed to give you notice, which hereby
do, to vacate the rooms en- the sixth OF
July, 1876. Respectfully,
CHARLES LESASSIER, Secretary.