The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-07-25
TIE GRAND ARMY,
What is Being Done by The Veterans
for the Coed of the Order
ABP. KKtN's LETTER.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: 1here hAs
been in the minds of some question as 70
whether the Grand Army OF tie Repuolic' as
an organ ization is of character TO he de-
barred under the well-known rule of the 10
man Catholic Church from entering its churches
Or cemeteries. So far as known, ordinarily the
comrades attended the funerals OF its comrades
without question Archbishop Ireland was
known to be a member of the GA. K, and Arch
bishop RYAN on the last Memorial Day had IN
Sited specially the comrades OF the Pnilaael-
mia Posts to the Cathedral, and there had been
n large attendance But it was also known
that some priests had objected to the presence
of the com rades in uniform, and to the draplng
of the coffin with the coors. while in some
cemeteries similar objection was made.
The matter was brought before Ransom Post,
13l, Department of Missouri recently, because
of a possible misunderstanding and a d Inference
OF opinion developed among the comrades.
This Post is the one of which Gen. sherman
was the FIRST Commander. 1t carried him TO
his grave Yet there were those among them
who feared that some humber comrades might
not be permitted the burial of soldier, ana
desired some definite information, that they
might not in case they were asked to attend
the funeral of one who was Catholic, be NOR
titled by refusal at the church door or ceme-
terry gate.
There was one among the comrades who had
been a boy with the Archbishop of this Diocese
wears ago down in the Shenandoah valley, In
Virginia, and he stated that he felt sure from
q conversation he had had with the Archbishop
year or more before. that there need be little
question about it; that the GAR was not con-
sidered in any other light than as an association
OF those who were bound by the tie like no
other, begotten in the FIRE OF battle for the nag
of our country, and with no ends TO serve but
loyalty to the Government ard charity to their
fellows and that he had no doubt whatever
that, on proper request to the Archbishop, he
would so advise. This seemed so proper
course that, by q unanimous vote he was made
q committee to wait on the Archbishop and
learn definitely what status would be accorded
the G. A r. in case of its being requested by the
family of deceased comrade, who might be a
Catholic when il came 10 the church, etc.
The comrade so appointed was s. ID. Webster.
who addressed the following communication to
his Grace:
HEADQUARTERS RANSOM Posi-, l3I,
DEPARTMENT OF MISSOURI G. AR, =,
ST LOUIS June is. 1895.
MosT REVEREND ]. j. kahn,
ARcuBIsBoP ST. Louis.
Your GRACE / have been appointed by Ram
som Post l3l Department OF Missouri, a commit
tee of 10 obiSin In writing from the proper
authorities of the Roman Catholic Church, for tie
guidance of the Post. accurate information as TO
what privileges will be permitted ITS members IN
the matter of attendance at Catholic churches and
cemeteries upon occasion OF the burial Of any OF
its comrades and hereby apply 10 your Grace for
the desired information. II you desire any infor-
nation as 10 the objects or organization OF the
Grand Army of the Republic viii be pleased 10
furnish it. VIII you kindly state
Fret: May g. r.. Posi- enter a Catholic church
OF funeral occasion with lie comrades In u. A *.
Uniform, and With its flag?
Second: May IL la the same way enter Cotholic
cemetery?
Third: May IL at the grave OF n comrade in
Catholic cemetery have the form OF burial service
for comraoe provided for in The @. A. X. ritual,
copy OF which herewith hand you?
Iyou viii kindly reply, think these will enable
Gus Commander and comrades 10 act understand
inEiy should occasion arise.
Most sincerely and faithfully yours,
lSigned. 8. ID. WEBSTER. Committee.
IL reply the following letter was received:
ARcHBIsHoP's RESIDENCE. I
$50 LTSDELL BOULEVARD.
81. LOUIS June IL. 1895.
Mr. S. d. WEBSTER, City.
DEAR SIR: ] authorize you to report 10 Ransom
Post 1871 that la this Diocese tle members Of the
Ga r. may, occasions OF the funeral of COM
rade. enier any Catholic church or cemetery in the
uniform Of their organization aud with the United
States gag and after the burial services prescribed
by the Church. they may recite the very afpropri-
ate prayers sanctioned by your Organization.
lSigned.l Very respectfully,
JOHN j. KAHN, Archbishop OF ST. Louis.
At the next meeting of the Post this cor
respondeBce WAS submitted by Comrade Web
ster, and was received by the comrades with
the warmest approval As is well known, the
etanding Of this organization is of the highest
character. lbs tie that binds them is a strong
one and when a request is made upon them
TO attend the funeral Of one who has answered
at the last roll-call, none like TO refuse; yet,
where uncertainty exists as 10 their being adj
mitted 10 church or cemetery. hesitation is but
natural. This kind and liberal response at
once dissipated all the doubts which had been
suggested, and left them free, in this Diocese
81 least 10 comply with the wishes Of those
vino desired the Church service supplemented
- Al ..al Al Il. l..
buried.
But another question suggested itself: How
. was this authorization TO become known TO
the priests of the Archdiocese Its terms, Of
course indicated that IL should be made pub
lie: but ss one Of the comrades said, courtesy
20 the Archbishop required that he be asked
TO allow lis publication, and by q unanimous
vote il was directed that the matter be sub
mitted again.
This time. after addressing the Archbishop
Comrade Webster csllad at the Archbishop'g
residence and preferred the request which
was readily granted. The Archbishop even
kindly called his attention TO what he had
written regarding the prayers prescribed in
The Service-Book. which has been left with
bim, saying that they were emnently proper
for the occasion, and bad his full approval
This 10 going further than has been at any
time done regarding this organ zation; but it
is apparent that there is nothing in its objects
or membership TO which objection is likely 10
arise from the Church, which recognizes il as
q BODY of veterans. to pass with their passing
which lie FASTENED year by year.
it is 10 be said. however. that Archbishop
ksin bss always shown a warm regard for the
comrades. having had them attend services at
the Cathedral at Wheeling and in other ways
shown LIS interest in them.
Ii Is learned, also. that the Commander of
the Department Of Missouri, Col. Louis Re.
necke, OF Brunswick, has asked for copies of
The correspondence, and purposes asking of the
other Church authorities in Missouri, the Rt
Rev. Morris r. Burke, Bishop OF ST. Joseph.
and the Rt Rev John J. Hogan, Bishop of
Kansas City, Tor similar expressions, in order
that he may incorporate in General Orders the
Information which shall govern the different
Posts. and enable them TO act INTEL gently in
this Department upon q matter which all have
an interest in.
On May ,, 1894, the venerable Cardinal Glib
bons wrote TO Past Commander Peterson, of
Ransom Post. regarding this matter, and we
have been permitted the following extract:
The members OF the Grand Army Of the
Republic have fought for the union aud pres.
eryation Of their country, aud i do not know
OF any, and should be sorry TO learn Of the
existence of any, ordinance Of the Church, by
which they would be debarred from paving
merited honor 70 their dead comrades. In this
Archdiocese they would he certainly permitted
TO decorate their comrades graves in our GENE
tcries, wearing their uniforms.-CoMRADE
81. Louis, Mo.
DEPARTMENT NEWS.
RlCckcuTc t-r-rrS,