The historic times., 1891-11-14
A FLAG ORDER.

Grand Army Members NOT % Particlpafa
In Ceremonies Where the Ccnfederate
Flag Is Displayed.
ALBANY, n. Y, Nov. 0-Gen. Palmer.
commander-in-chiefo OF the Grand Army
of the Republic, has made public the
following order:
The attention of the commander n-chief
has been called TO tho fact that comrades.
wearing the badge and uniform OF the Grand
Army OF the Republic. participated In re.
cent demonstration where the confederate
nag was carried and displayed.
For four long years you braved all the
perils anu vicissitudes OF war to wipe out
all that that flag represented. When your
great work was accomplished the grand
union armies had become the most power
full and effective the world had ever seen
They melted away like the snow on tho
hill tops under the beams OF noon
day sun. You resumed the peaceful vo-
cation OF civil life. and the nation re.
| sumed once more Its career OF unparalleled
| progress and prosperity. Never In the his
| tory of any civilized warfare was such mag.
nanlmity evidenced toward foe As tho
| terms OF the surrender OF Lee and army &C
| Appomattox We have learned TO admire
the gallantry OF the men we have van
Qulshed rs only men could admire them
who had tested their endurance and valor
| upon many battlefelds
When they laid down their arms we sought
peace and we reached out the right hand OF
fellowship to all who would accept Il on the
broad grounds of American citizenship and
unconditional loyalty. Tho contest had
| cost US untold millions of dollars and the
/ lives OF thousands OF the bravest and best
| men who marched under tho stars and
| stripes down into the jaws OF death, not Tor
! a party or a creed, for men OF all opinions
and afiliatlons gave up their lives TO save
the nation from disruption and the dag from
| dishonor.
To-day, the same nag which noats over
and protects the conqueror, protects equally
| as well the conquered. We admire the apirit
which prompts the people or the south TO
commemorate the gallantry OF the men who
sacrificed their lives In the lost cause. hut
that civil conflict settled one great question:
the battle for the union was right tho doc.
trne OF secession was wrong: AMI the stars
and stripes. the emblem OF liber ", equal
rights justice and law, ID the only nag which
the 10y people OF this great nation respects
and honor.
We saved to 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 enor-
nous and expensive litigation TO be settled
by a jury of soldiers. and to-day every
American citizen is In the full enjoyment OF
the fruits OF our great labors.
We cannot afford to lose sight OF the vAlor
that ach hleyed victory for the right. We can
never forget what the contest cost % In
blood and treasure We must not forget
that loyalty TO country II not mere sentt-
ment, but that IL requires a devotion 30
principle, and that principle means that the
flag which every union soldier stood ready
to defend with his life must now be salntod
with honor. One OF the great principles OF
our organic alton Ii to teach the rising gen.
Grafton loyalty to country and fidelity 90
duty. The Union soldiers have repeatedly
said to the soldiers OF the south: I'VE have
no desire to arouse sectional animosltiea or
passions engsndered by the war. Give US
loyalty and In return we will give you fra
ternity."
You have demonstrated your fraternity on
numerous occasions, but when comrades
Joined in the recent ceremonies in memory
OF a patriotic Journalist and philanthrnpiss
they found their fraternity confronted with
. the emblem of treason, which is an EVIL
dence TO you that there turks In the hearts
OF a few a desire, by display OF that naE, "a
fire the hearts OF the young generation o.
the south to rebellion
comrade wearing a badge or uniform o'
the order participating In any demonstra-
, tlon where the bel Nag IL displayed, vio'
, lates his obligation to maintain trne alleRl'
! ance to the United States OF America. tc
honor its constitution, to dtscountenancs
whatever tends to weaken loyalty, inctts
: treason and rebellion. and 10 enconraKs
! universal liberty and justice TO all mankind
, and brings disgrace upon the order OF which
he Is a member
. While the commander a.. chief has neithe
the right nor disposition 90 interfere viii
the rights or privileges Of members OF tn
, or Ter he has assumed an obligation to pro
tect 10 against any and all acts that VII
g. bring reproach upon its good name
Do YOU propose to surrender wha' ~
!. fought for and what your comrades, y
sleep in heroic graves, died forf A the star
Z are ixsd in the skies. 80 your patriotism Y
. fixed and immovaLle TO preserve the mem
Z ory and fruits of that great struggle.