Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1891-11-11

GEN. JOHN NJ. PALMER,
Commander-in-Chiefo of the G. A. R.
For four long years you braved all the
perilS and viciSsitudeS of war to wipe
out all that that flag represented.
When your great work was accom-
pliShed the grand Union armies
had become the most powerful and
effective the world had ever seen. They
melted away like the snow on the hilltops
under the beams of monday sun. You
resumed the peaceful vocations of civil
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 magnanimity
evinced toward foe as the terms of the
surrender of Lees army at AppomatoX.
We have learned to admire the gallantry
OF the men we have vanquiShed as only
men could admire them who had tested
their endurance and valor upon many bat
tie fields. When they laid down their
arms we sought peace; we reached out the
right hand of fellowship to all who would
accept it on the broad ground of Ameri-
can citizenship and unconditional loyalty
The contest had cost us untold millions of
dollars and the lives of thousands
OF the bravest and best, who
marched under the stars and stripes down
into the jaws of death, not for a party or
creed, for men of all opinions and
affiliations gave up their lives to save the
nation from disruption and the flag from
6iShonor. To-day the same flag which
floats 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
gallantry Of the men who sacrificed their
lives for the lost cause, but that civil con-
f1ict settled one great questionable battle
for the union was right, the doctrine of Sc
cesSion was wrong; and the stars and
stripes, the emblem of liberty, equal
rights, justice and law, is the only flag
which the people OF this great nation re-
Spect and honor.
We saved our children the contest that
they would have been compelled to en-
counter. We have given them a heritage
of peace and prosperity, instead of an
enormous and expensive litigation, to be
settled by jury of soldiers, and to-day ev-
cry American citizen is In the full enjoy
ment of the fruits of our great laborS.
We cannot afford to lose sight of the val
or that achieved victory for the right. We
must not forget that loyalty to country is
not a mere sentiment but that it requiees
a devotion to principle, and that prin-
ciple means that the flag which
fend with his life must now be
saluted with houor. One of the great
principles of our organization is to teach
the rising generation loyalty to country
and fidelity to duty. The Union soldiers
have repeatedly SAID to the soldiers of the
South: I'VE have no desire to arouse, sec,
tlonal a1llmoslUeS or passions engendered
by the war. Give us loyalty and IN return
we will give you fraternity"
You have demonstrated your fraternity
on numerous occasions, but when COM
radeS joined in the recent ceremonies in
honor OF the memory of a patriotic TOUR
naiiSt and philanthrOpiSt, they found their
fraternity confronted with the emblem of
treason, which is an evidence to you that
there still turks in the hearts of few de-
sire, by the display of that flag, to fire the
hearts of the young generation of the
South to rebellion.
A cOmrade wearing the badge or uniform
Of the order, participating in any demon
stration where the rebel flag is displayed,
violates his obligation ito maintain true al
legiance to the United States of America.
to honor its constitution to discountenance
whatever tends to weaken loyalty. incite
treason or rebellion, and to encourage uni
verSal liberty and justice TO all mankind.'
and brings disgrace upon the order of
which be is a member.
While the commandments has Meth
er the right nor disposition to interfere
with the individual rights or privileges of
members Of the order, he has assumed an
obligation to protect it against any and all
acts that will bring reprOach upon It's good
name.
Do you propose to surrender what YOU
fought for, and what your compades, who
sleep in heroic graves, died for? AS the
stars are fixed in the skies, so your patriot
ism is fixed and immovable, to preserve
the memories and fruits of that great strug-
gle.
If this grand army of loyal citizens
serves no other purpose, it VIII 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 in the past,
must be the anchors which hold us firmly
to a solid, permanent and prosperous
national existence.
With these words of admonition I have
sufficient confidence in your honor and
fidelity to the principles of the order to
feel that there will be no further partlci-
patton in any demonstration or parade
where the emblem of treason is carried or
displayed.
Let the cause which triumphed IN the
war be maintained in the completeness of
its victory and the fullness of its Signii-
canoe.
JOHN PALMER,
Commander in Chief.
Ry the Commander-in-Ch Chief Fred PhiS.