Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-11-07
ONLY THe"OL FLAG"
4 STRONG LETTER FROM GEL PAIIn
The Commander-in-C Chief Gives his
Views in Full.
LATE TELEGRAPHIC NEWS,
ONLY THE STARS AND srRurna.

Chief Palmer says vsssa.,
should Honor Them.
ALBANY, Nov. 7.-Gen. Palmer. commsndes>
in-chief OF the Grand Army OF the Rspublis,
has just made pubic the following order:
headquarters Grand Army OF the Repubhe
Adjutsnt Generals ofics
Albany, Nov. 4 1891.
The attention OF the commander In -chief
has been called 10 the fact that comrades wess-
ing the badge and uniform OF the Grand Army
OF the Republic participated In q recent
demonstration where the confederate nar vss
carried aud displayed.
For four long years you braved an the perils
and yicissitudes O; war 10 wipe out ell that haR
represented When your great vork vss
accomplished the grand Union armies had b.
come the most powerful and effective the world
had ever seen. They melted away like the snow
on the hilitoqs under the beams Of noondsy
sun. You resumed the peaceful vocations ef
cirii life, and the nation resumed once more its
career OF unparalleled progress. prosperity
and happiness. There never was in the history
OF any civilized warfare such magnanimiy
evinced toward a foe ss the terms Of the sur
renaer OF Lees army al Appomsttox.
oAILASrEr OF THE vASouIsHKp.
We had learned 10 admire the gAllantry of
the men We had vanquished ~ only men could
admire them who had tested their endurance
and valor upon many bloody bsttie6slda
When they land down their arms we sought
peace; we reached out the right hand OF fellow
ship to all who would accept il on the
broad grounds of American citizenship snd
unconditional LOYALTY. The contest had cost us
untold millions of dollars and the lives Of thou
sands of the bravest and the best who marched
under the stars and stripes down into the jaws
OF death, not for aparty nor q creed, for men Of
all opinions and affiliations gave mp their lives
to save the nation from disruption and the has
from dishonor. Today the same flag which nosts
over and protects the conquerors protects
equally as well the conquered We admire
the spirit which prompts the people Of the
south TO commemorate the gallsntry Of the
men who sacrificed their lives IN the ..loss
cause" but that civil conflict settled one
great question-the battle for the Union vas
right the doctrine Of secession was wrong,
and the stars and stripes. the emblem Of
liberty. equal rights, justice and law 10 the
only flag which the loyal people Of this great
nation respect and honor. We saved our
children the contest that they would have been
compelled 10 encounter. We have given them
heritage OF peace and prosperity instead Of
an enormous and expensive litigation 20 bs
settled by jury of soldiers, and today every
American citizen is in the full enjoyment q
the fruits Of our great labors.
THE COST OF VICTORY.
We cannot afford to lose sight Of the valor
that achieved victory for the right We can
never forget what the contest cost M in blood
and treasure. We must not forget that loyalty
TO country is not a mere sentiment, but that Il
principle means that the flag which
every Union soldier stood ready 90 de-
fend with his lite must now be saluted
with honor. One OF the great principles of our
organization is TO teach the rising generation
loyalty to country and fidelity 90 duty. The
Union soldiers have repeatedly said TO the sol-
diers Of the south: I'VE have no desire 10
arouse sectional animosities or passions en-
gendered by the war. Give us loyrlty and In
return We win give you fraternity"
You have demonstrated your fraternity %
numerous occasions, but when comrades joined
IN the recent ceremonies In honor OF the memory
OF a patriotic southern journalist and philan-
thropist they found their fra sernity confronted
with the emblem Of treason" which u an
evidence TO you that there still lurks On the
hearts Of few the desire, by the display Of thas
flag, TO fire the hearts of the young gensratioa
OF the south 20 rebeiion.
VIOLATION or En OBLIGATION.
comrsde wearing the badge or uniform C
the order and participating in any demoussrs-
tion where the rebel" flag 10 displayed violates
his obligation ito maintain true alleeiancs
70 the United States of America 70 honor iss
70 weaken loyalty, incite treason rebellion,
and 70 encourage universal liberty and justice
10 all mankind, and brings Disgrace upon tho
order of which he is q member.
Whlle the commander-ln-chief has neither
the right nor disposition to interfere with the
individual rights or privileges Of members Of
the order he has assumed an obligation 70 pro-
tect il against any and all acts that viii bring
reproach upon Its good name. Do You pro-
pose TO surrender what you fought for, and
what your comrades who sleep in hsrois
graves, died for?
As the stars are fixed in the skies % yous
patriotism is fixed and inmovable TO preserve
the memories and fruits OF that great struggle.
III this Grand Army of loyal citizens serves no
other purpose il will keep fresh in the hearts
of the rising generation that love OF country;
that devotion TO the Union; that reverence for
the stars and stripes, the Constitution and the
laws. which in the future, as they have
been an the past must be the anchors
which hold ms firmly to a solid, permanent and
prosperous national existence. With these
words Of admonition 1 have Sufficient conf
dence in your honor and fidelity TO the princi-
Piles of the order 20 feel that there will be NO
further participation in any demonstration o.
parade where the emblem of treason" 10 car.
ried or displayed
Let the cause which triumphed in the vSr
be maintained In the completeness Of its victory
and the fullness OF its significance.
(Signed) John Palmer
Commsndsr-in- -Chisf,
By the Commander-in-Chief.
Fred Phisterer. Adjutant General.
II N