The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-05-15

CHICAGO, May liza local paper says.
So many statements have gone abroad
from other cities than Chicago 40 n ro.
sui. OF Department Commander
Thaycr'a recent letter to tho Slassachu.
.otta G. A. l., protesting against tho
proposed dedication OF the confederate
monument at 0akwoods csmo,cry
memorial day, that many people deeply
Inlcre'ted In the event beliorc part Of
tho public has been lod to miscons,ruo
the Significance OF tho ceremonies to DO
performed. General Underwood, com.
mander Of tho division OF tho north,
United Confederate Veterans, deemed
1t advisable TO issue letter defining his
position. Tho letter, which IL isaucd
10 tho Citizens OF the United States,
aud United people Of Ono Nation"
says in part:
THE permission TO erect a monument
over the remains OF 6.000 southern sol.
diors In lakewood ccmo,cry was granted
by the secretary Of war.
Accordingly fund was raised. two.
thirds Of which having been contributed
by citizens OF Chicago, and tho monu.
rnent rs 1t stands was erected under
direct provision OF tho permit that
emanaied from tho war department.
Last Decoration Day a number OF
6. A.. L. posts joined with the Con.
federa,o camp in tho memorial exer-
clses aud proiusely decorated tho Con-
federatc graves with northern flowers
thc'southern men returning the cour.
tesy in memorial ceremonies by decora.
ting tho graves Of Union soldiers in the
same cemetery. On that occasion
Maj. II. &. Purin,on, commander Of
Columbia Post No, 706. &. A. T., sug.
gested that the monument DO dedicated
the next Decoration Day. May so, 1875,
that G. 4. r. veterans, because OF its
being holiday, might attend and taks
courteous part in the ceremony. The
holiday feature OF the day applying as
we'll to my own command. that day was
selected; and without any thought or
intention OF infringing upon a moro
gativs OF the Grand Army OF the Re-
public.
II am the recipient OF letter from
Lieut.. Gen. John NJ. Schoield, com.
handing the Enited States army. and
endorsement on tho hack OF his photo.
graph by Gen. Thomas &. Lawler, com.
mander-in.chiet OF the G. A. K, each
commencing tho monumeniing OF my
dead comrades. the confcderates sleep
ing In Oakwoods. as laudable and praise.
worthy, etc. 1t is pardonable to refor TO
such high and DISTINGUISHED approval OF
Humanitarian acts; and. although at
this luncture no character OF discussion
is desired, still l deem it entirely right,
proper and due the public to announce
that in monumentinc the confederate
dead every observance OF law was COM
piled With. and no purpose OF un-
earthing the dead confederacy, or
acting disloyally, or Haunting the
confederate flag that went down at APP
pomatto1 was for moment Entertained,
the only purpose OF the living conieder.
ates being 10 monument the iortitude
and bravery constituting the heroism
OF tho private soldiers who surrendered
their liyes under the most trying cir.
cums,ances imaginable, and by 80 doing
have added page to the renown OF the
American volunteer. will be in COM
mand during the dedication OF the con-
federate monument, and know in nd
vance that neither an unpatriotic senti-
men, nor disloyal word will be uttered.
and 1 will personally see that the stars
and stripes alone arc given to the breeze
on that OCCASION"