National Republican., 1883-02-02
TIE ARLINGTON CASES.
Members OF tho Grand Army Feel an
Active Interest In Them.


Active Interest In Them.
Tho members of the Grand Army posts
here and elsewhere, but particularly here in
Washington within sight of the sacred ground
in dispute, have taken, and arc still taking u
great deal of interest in the settlement of
"thc Arlington cases" In delivering the
address before the annual encampment here
on Jan. 80, Mr. S. S. Burdett, tho department
commander said:
Before leaving tho general subject of the OBJ
seryancos of memorial day." considering the pc
cuar relations the Grand Army of tho Republic
oil this department bears TO the national cemetery
at Arlington, II seems to be proper that speak Of
matter that is of moment aud of present CON
cern to all who turn lovingly toward that sepul-
ON tho fourth day of December last Qsss) the
supreme court of the United Stntes In the case of
the United states VS.. George w. Il, c. Lee, and
frederick Kaufman and Richard p. Strong VS..
George W. T.. G. Lee, known as the Arlington
cases, ~ an action of ejectment originally COM
menced in the circuit court for the county of
Alexandria, In the state of Virginia, rendered
Judgment against the United States upon such
findings us in contemplation OF hlw removes their
camp out irOm beneath the shadow of the Nag and
turns the more than fifteen thousand dead over 10
the propreIorship of private persons, This ls the
situation to-day. According to law the plow
share may turn its turrow there. l do not mean
TO intimate that there Is imminent danger that
the legal right of the now declared personal pro-
pIlely VIII ever ripen Into actual possession.
Those who sleep ut Arlington are they who
when life was new, and hope and faith were
young ana strong and also the paths of honor and
ofjoy that men may tread were open to their feet
yet for their countrys sake loCkeda with Death
and went his dreary road. All beyond the POtO-
mac Is our cOuntry's to-day because of them. The
spoil they gathered for themselves Is the handful
Of dirt beside the river that hides their bones.
Who Will dare TO loot their camp? There will be
Judgment swift and sure against any who, charged
with duty In that rcgaId shall fail to take all
necessary protective steps
The generation has come that shall follow the
hease OF tho Grand Army but some of that re.
mains which rocked its craule. The pathos of
that mighty struggle is more than memory.
There are few Localities In all the loyal land how
ever remote, which are not connected with Ar
lington by some tie of dearest recollection The
WITT OF the great court which has spoken It's
Judgment Will have due respect should have
loyal disobedienCe but IL will never be issued
against tin flag that floats from yonder heights
The faithful comrade who earns his bread as
Waterman by the gate may be led forth and for
hidden TO return, but II was the nation clad with
the llghnings of war that made entry there II Is
the majesty of all the people that now hold.
watch and ward among the tombs. Who shall
lead IL iorth2 some means will be found Il
rlghtuly make good the title of the whole people
TO the place where their dead are laid away Let
us hope that II may soon be done. II Is not fttug
that such as these should for an unnecessary day
have rest by the suleTance of q stranger