The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-06-12
w /
TON LETTER.
ARI rHE HOME OF LEE, NOW
S~AEAT UNI1N SOLDIERS
BURIAL GROUND.
The Thirtieth of May Always Iemora.
BILE Day at the Nations Capital.

!, arations are making on this side of the
line for the decoration of the graves
of Union dead, across the Potomac
the Virginians are unwilling a statue
of Gen. Lee, erected in the city of
Richmond. Can you not guess, there
fore, that there is one prolonged howl
among the orators of the bloody shirt,
which is much intensified by the fact
that the old Confederates, in the
attempt to have some kind OF
an organization, carry their old
battle flags in the procession. The
love and reverence of the average Re-
} publican statesman for the flag has
recently broken out in two places
l. 1t is proposed to pass law making
it an indictable offense to use the
American flag for advertising purposes.
2. 1t is desired by law to suppress the
appearance of the confederate flag on
professional occasions, like that of
today in Richmond. 1t was the sense
of the leaders, however, when the sub
ject was submitted to them on yester-
day that no restriction, so far as the
use of confederate flags are concerned,
should be suggested in any Republican
quarter. The reason given is a most
shameful one, saying that they be-
lieve great wrong is being COM
mitted in Richmond, for it is urged
that if the ex.Confederates carry their
own battle flags the Republicans can
make political capital out of the in
cident In other words they silently
acquiesce in what they affect to be-
lieve a wrong for partisan purposes
alone, and this they call political
morality.
Washington is the center OF the
country on Decoration day. Thou
sands of the Union dead are sleeping
the sleep that knows no waking in its
immediate vicinity, and thousands OF
disabled and MANNED veterans walk
the streets in life if not in health, rel
les of the great strife of which the
only holiday remembrance is the
strewing of the graves OF the fallen
with flowers just on the eve of sum-
mer when they will blossom natur-
ally all the season through. Thus is
Iinaugurated one continued decoration
day.
The largest national cemetery about
Washington, and one of the largest in
the country, is Arlington, the former
home of Robert E. Lee. 1t was not
the property of the Confederate leader,
however, but belonged to his wife, and
was always known by citizens of this
city as the "Curtis place." In ante
bellum days it was the picnic grounds
of Washington, particularly for Sun
day schools, as Park Curtis, its pro-
prietor, was fond of children and de-
lighted to entertain them. 1t came
from him to Mrs, Lee only in time
to be virtually contiscated
by the government, although
the United States claims its title
through tax sale held al its insti-
CATION in 1868. This title was an
nulled by the United States supreme
, court and then congress purchased
the property from the son of Gen.
Lee, or rather got quit claim for the
sum of 100000. Thus it is indis-
t solubly attached to the government
: and will ever have two separate re-
: minders OF the great conflict, one of a
' happy the other of sad nature, for
while it is the graveyard of the
!. national dead there is on one quarter
e of the land a settlement of contra.
, bands of the war, who, fleeing from
= slavery to life of liberty, settled here
on the confines Of the place of those
g who had, by the sacrifice OF their lives
e guarantee, d their freedom forever. Al
9 this cemetery takes place the most
! elaborate ceremonies every recurring
Both of May, in which the regular sol
diers, Grand Army and men of na
- tional reputation participate.
Speaker Reed never delivered sucf
q a Knockout blow as he did yesterday
s when the order was issued closing the
d bar attached to the house of repre-
- sentatives. The action, however, il
, applauded by both temperance ant
l. antitemperance people, contradictory
: as it may seem. The first of course
t oppose the sale of liquor OF
II general principles and think it dis
grace that the congress of the United
l. States should countenance "gir
u mill" within the very precincts of thu
# national capitol. The local liquo
men object to it because the man wh'
has the restaurant in the capitol ha
d no rent to pay, no repairs to make
r no ice, coal, or other fuel to buy, ant
Z IN fact has so much furnished hin
!, gratis by congress that he could un
Il dersell every competitor in the dis
! trict and speedily get rich, but h
d don't. He simply plays the grab gam
s and his restaurant is noteworthy TO
4 nothing but its prices. But the liquo
W men say that this restaurant ha
u an unfair advantage of them, henc
C they are glad it is closed up.
t There is, too, another lesson to h
drawn from this open sale of liquor il
the capitol. 1t has proved the down
fall of more than one member o
h congress who might have had a brill
&: liant life, not to speak OF the worthy
= men who as lemployes of the hous
d came within the destinations ant