The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1895-05-16
THE BRAY OF AN ASS.
DEPARTMENT COMMANDER THAYER
BREAKS LOOSE.

BREAKS LOOSE.
Makes a Fool of Himself as Such
Fellows Generally Dole Protests
Against the Dedication of a Monu.
ment in Chicago to the Confederate
Dead-But Proceedings Will Not be
Stopped.
BosToN. May 3.-Department- Com
mander Joseph A. Thayer has issued
and forwarded to all the Grand Army
posts of this State especial fctsc<,n"
Of which the following is copy:
"What seems to me to be a most
extraordinary proceeding in this great
nation of ours is advertised to take
place at Chicago on Memorial-Day oil
this year, wherein a monument to the
memory of the Confederate dead is to
be dedicated. 1t was an outrage to
every true Union man that the monu.
ment was ever erected but now insul,
is added to injury by the selection oI
our Grand Army Sabbath on which to
consecrate shaft set up to Com,nemo-
rate the deeds of men who did all in
their power to destroy the Government
we fought to save, and this North OF
Mason and Dixon's line
Comrades, the blood of our
martyred Lincoln, of our noble Grant,
and of all the men who struggled in
freedoms cause, cries out in protest
against this blasphemy.
1T is not within my province to
issue, in general orders, a command
to our posts to take action condemn
ing this proposed performance, but |
sincerely hope that the comrades of
this department will, in no uncertain
manner, place themselves on record
as resenting such exercises.
"The dedication would have taken
place one year ago but for the fact
that the funds to meet the expenses
could not be secured, and it was post
poned. 1t is a shame that it should
come now, or ever. Bad as it is that
any memorial should be raised to the
perpetuation of the love of treason in
any portion of our fair land, this is
infinitely worse. And if we complain
because those who fought on the other
side still glorify their deeds, what
shall we say of an administration
which loans "a gift of this sort can
not be made) cannon with which to
decorate and embellish the ground on
which this shaft stands?
That, as stated in the public press,
has been done. Should all this take
place and we remain silent? l say
no; thousand times no"
CHICAGO, May Referring to the
circular letter of Department Com
mander J. A. Thayer, Grand Army OF
the Republic, of Boston, protesting
against the dedication of monument
in Chicago May goth in memory of
the Confederate dead, r. H. Stewart,
president of Camp s, United Confed
crate Veterans, made this statement :
"What a fool that man is. What
a pity that such a man lives to dig up
the hatchet that we have been trying
for SO long to bury for good and all.
And why does he break out now ?
Where was this disturber last winter
when the Blue sat at the table with
the Gray, and dined as their guests
This monument was being arranged
for at that time.
.' 1t is being built by the ex-Con-
federate soldiers in memory Of the
dead, who, if alive to-day, would be
true American citizens. Three quar-
ters of the money was subscribed in
Chicago, and the rest came from the
South.
alt stands in Oakwood Cemetery,
where lie the bodies Of several thou
sand Confederate soldiers. They are
buried on Government property, and
perhaps for this reason Mr.. Thayer
would have their bones disturbed by
removal. The Government has con-
sented to loan us-American citizens
four guns to decorate this monument.
We bought the carriages for the guns.
"In Chicago there is perfect har-
mony between Grand Army of the
Republic men and members OF the
ex-Confederate Association. | hope
that. with the exception of few men
like Thayer, the same feeling exists i'll
Massachusetts and other States. There
are no more loyal citizens in America
than the ex-Confederates.
During the last strike in Chicago
their association offered to take arms
and assist in enforcing peace, and
were ready to do SO, and if there is
ever call for soldiers by the United
States Government there will be none
to respond more promptly with theil
muskets than the ex-Confederate
veterans"
Chicago people generally do moi
sympathize with the views Of MIR
Thayer.
Pure rich blood is essential to goot
| health, because the blood is the vital tiui(
which supplies all the organs with life
| Hoods Sarsaparilla is the great bloot
purifier.
| Hoods Pills are purely vegetable
| harmless, effective, do not pain or grippe.