The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-11-13


1t looks very mach as If the commander of
the Grand Army OF the Republic, Gen. John
Palmer. were trying either to gain little
notoriety, or at the instigation OF republi-
can politicians, to stir up controversy
which could be used as the basis Of bloody
shirt campaign IN the national contest next
year. No other good reason can be given
for his repeated attacks upon the co1feder-
ate flag. As a rule, the southern press has
not taken any notice Of his order forbidding
members OF the Grand Army Of the Repuo-
lie to march in professions in which the
confederate flag is displayed, or Of his re-
marks in connection with his order, for the
reason, doubtless, that it was thought mad
visable to assist him in accomplishing what
appears to be his purpose.
1t is notorious that the Mail and Express
of New York, the most bitterly partisan of
all the republican papers, caused all the
talk there was about the one confederate
flag that was carried in the procession at
the unwilling Of the Grady monument at
Atlanta, and it was the fuss aud fury Of
that paper which gave Gen. Palmer the op-
portunity to issue bis order to the grand
army veterans, and thus show how little
magnanimity he possesses and how ready
he is to keep alive sectional feeling for
political purposes.
For a score Of years in the south grand
army veterans in different cities have been
marching with confederates veterans in
professions in which the confederate flag
was displayed. These grand army veterans
tr lie a - . - ea1a
was not an indication of lack Of respect
for the national flag or loyalty to the gem
eral government, and 80 they had no
| objection to participating in cerem onies in
which it was seen. They recognized the
fact that ex-confederates honored and loved
the flag, not because they still adhered to
the cause it once represented, or that they
still regretted the loss OF that cause. but
because of their achievements and suffer
ings in its behalf. In the south between
northern and southern men the confederate
flag has not, and does not, cause any trouble
or ill-feeling.
1t remained for the editor Of the Mail an d
Express and Gen. Palmer to try to ma Ike
it the subject Of ill-feeling between the peo-
pie of the north and south. And it is prob
ably safe TO say that neither of them would
make as great sacrifices to uphold the ma
tional flag, If the opportunity for doing SO
should arise, as would the confederate vet
Grams whom they condemn for still loving
the flag which represented cause which
they believed to be right, and for which
they gave up 80 much.
The ex-confederates do not regard the
confederate flag as representing any living
issue. They look upon it only as a reminder
Of something that is dead and gone forever.
Now and then, when the occasion seems
appropriate, they display 1t, but not to keep
alive memories Of a lost cause, nor to show
lack Of respect for or loyalty to the ma
tional flag.
And they will continue to display it when
it seems to them proper to do so. That
point may beregarded as settled.
| The national flag is their flag and they
honor 1t upon all occasions. but that does
not prevent them from treating with re-
epect the flag under which they fought for
| four years, but which has no meaning now.
| And they with nothide that flag away for
ever, as IL they were ashamed Of 1t, to
CRAFTY Gen. Palmer and others like
him whose loyalty is so excessive as to JUS
tify the suspicion that they are not so
anxious to promote the welfare of their
country as they are to secure the success Of
their party. While it is to be regretted that
Gen. Palmer meddled with the flag matter
at all. because no good purpose was served
by his doing So nevertheless no great inter
est will be injured if grand army men cease
to march in a procession in which confed-
crate flag is displayed.