The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-12-03
AN ELOQUENT STATEMENT.

Full Text of the Resolution Passed by Blank
enship Post ut Msrtinsville.
Special TO the Indianapolis Journal.
MARTINsvILLE. Ind, Dec. Following
ia q full text of the resolution adopted at
the regular meeting of p. M. Blankensh,p
Post, Nc. a. G. A. R., this week, on the
question of Dissertation of soldiers's graves:
1t has come to the knowledge of this post that
since our last meeting several cemeteries within
the limits OF our county have been entered under
the dust of our dead Somrades and the head
stones and monuments erected to mark their
resting places have been desecrated and mutt
lated. In each case only the graves of soldiers,
indicated by the national flag or the government
headstone, have been treated with this cruel
tndignity and unparalleled vandalism. These
criminal acts, which are not confined TO
Morgan county, can only be interpreted as
springing from a spirit of hate and malignity
towards the Union soldier and the cause for
ed as occurring In the South, where In national
cemeteries, In quiet and honor, sleep thousands
of Union soldiers. The confederate respects the
grave of the boy in blue, and does not hesitate TO
strew 1t with sweet flowers. 1t was left for the
disgrace or this crime and outrage, which words
cannot properly characterize, to fall on MORGAN
and adjoining counties, and upon the State of
Indiana and for our dead In their graves to be
thus shamelessly assailed. We are paraded
over the country as the only locality where
there lives and rankles a hate and malignity SO
deep as 70 be capable OF such q crime and out
rage. we cannot understand the spirit that
would desecrate the graves OF the dead, that
would dishonor the defenders OF the Nation and
discredit and degrade the cause for which they
gave their lives. 1t reveals a heart so depraved,
so lost TO shame, so void OF manhood or moral
sense of loyalty and gratitude that its existence
in q civilized community can scarcely DO cred
tied But we cannot SHUT our eyes to the fact
that these outrageous crimes have been commit
ted in onr own county; that under circumstances
which seem to forbid any other conclusion than
THAT they were done lurposely. wantonly
and with an intent 20 vent unreasoning
dishonor upon the cause for which he died. 1t
was an act too cowardly andmean, il would seem,
10 have been perpetrated by those having the
semblance OF manhood. The dead could not re-
sent the indlgniry. Ii could only rend the hearts
OF friends and loved ones left behind ana show a
venomoGs hatred TO the principles which, living
they championed and which their gravestones
typified. IL 10 a crime against the country and
the flag, against the principles OF liberty aud
union. against the spirit of loyalty which made
the lives OF the dead glorious. and upon which
the Nation can only securely rest in times Of
need and danger. IL Is a crime against the
holiest and best feelings OF men. and women
everywhere. a crime against the dead and
against, tho living. and one uQQu which by
whornso6ver and FOR whatever purpose done.
swift, sure and severe punishment should be
justly visited. The perpetrators should be hunt
ed down. they should he pursued wherever they
hide themselves. they should be dragged into
the open light OF day, where all men may look
upon their despicable forms, that they may be
pilloried with universal contempt and ignomIny,
and then DO made 20 bear 10 the utmost the