Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-06-17
Richmond ana the q. A. r.

xs1CunOnu anu tno ". A. ~
The National Tribune Is the name Of a
weekly OF wide circulation published at
Washington an the oigan OF the Grand
Army Of the Republic. IT Is devoted to
war "reminiscences and pension protec-
ton and extension.
In the last issue OF this Journal Is
two-coiumn letter "from a comrade tenn
porarIly residing in Richmond" who
writes of the unwilling ceremonies here
on May SOth as "a shame and disgrace
70 the civilization Of the nineteenth CEN
tury"
The astounding statement Is made that
the use OF the Stars and Stripes for
house decorations on that day was 1.-THE
exception and not the rule" and 1t is re-
presented that our people no longer
want their children to study the history
of the United States, but WISH q history
Of their own" whereas what we ask for
is true history. The writer also de-
elares that I'm this section tho word
Confederate stands for all that Is high
noble. brave. and pure. while Yankee
vile" &C.. &c.
This grlevous condition Of affairs. the
correspondent alleges. Is largely the re-
suit OF Union veterans inattention to
the graves OF their comrades here There
IS but one small g. A. II. post here. 1t is
said. and this post II unable to make
much OF a demonstration on Decoration
Day. and the result is the Confsderates
attract all of the attention on that day.
The letter seems to have two aims
Grst, TO picture the people OF Richmond
as fussy and unreconstructed rebels, and
second. TO call to the Richmond Grand
Army OF the Republic Post the help OF
the Union veterans of the country for the
proper observance here of Decoration
Day. DIR. Cave, General Rosser. and
others come In for a share Of the cor
respondents condemnation.
The editor Of the Tribune has become
very indignant at what be learns from
this letter. and II moves him to declare.
with much vehemence. that the Richmond
celebration will have zone very positive
and conclusive effect" and that is. that
the national encampment Of 1895 will not
be held in the south--'it will not be
south OF the Ohio river" says the Tri-
bune. as II II spoke by authority.
Really the Grand Army OF the Republic
men do not make much Of a display here
on Decoration-Day. 1t Is an indisputable
fact that their demonstration Is dwarfed
by the Confederate demonstration. but
we must say OF the Grand Army OF the
Republic people of the North that while
they have not come down here In large
numbers to assist in the decoration OF
the graves OF their fallen comrades. they
have been liberal In sending money to
buy flowers for decoration purposes. Nor
has there been time In many years
when our volunteers and ex-Confederates
would not have assisted In the services
et the national cemeteries IL they had
had any intimaton that their presence
would be agreeable. Indeed. on more
than one occasion they have Joined the
Grand Army of the Republic post In this
very work of decorating graves OF SOL
Oilers of the Federal army. The truth is
that we Thermometers can get along very
well indeed with the veterans OF the
Union army who reside amongst us. but
we are constantly falling out with belli-
cosc northern editors and Grand Army
Of the Republic politicians.
1t is. OF course. for the Grand Army
OF the Republic to say where 1t will meet
next year. We doubt not that 1t would
have hospitable reception In any south.
ern city which II might choose for its
encampment; but IL 1t means to be super
sensitive about 'rebel flags" and is going
10 flare up whenever II hears q southern
orator eulogizng our heroes or arguing
that the struggle for southern independ-
enee was a struggle for constitutional
liberty. then 1t would better not put itself
In any danger Of having its feelings hurt
or its sensiblities outraged.
Thousands and thousands of Union flags
were used here In house decoration on
the 3oth, and only those persons who
did not want 20 see them could have
failed TO observe that fact