The Washington times., 1902-05-26
VETERANS QUARREL
over CHURCH SERVICES
misunderstanding of Me-
mortal Exercises Causes
Confusion.
MUCH BAD FEELING DISPLAYED
Controversy Over Program to Be Rem
dered at Eastern Presbyterian
Church Ends in Regular Evening
Services Being Held by Pastor.

blsdSittIltHt 10 tne Or0er OF eX-
ercises for joint service in honor of
the deceased comrades OF two organ
izations OF Union veterans caused abro-
CATION of the contemplated program
and the substitution OF the regular SER
vices at the Eastern Presbyterian
Church last night.
The disagreement took a very pro-
nounced form, and there was rather
bitter discussion of the misunderstand-
Ing. Leading members Of the contend
ing organizations made caustic remarks
about the officiating minister and about
each other. While this was going on
large congregation waited and wonder
ed and not a few left the church.
Announcement had been made of joint
services to be held under the auspices
Of George H. Thomas Post No. Is.
Grand Army of the Republic. and En-
canpment No. 60. Union Veteran Le-
gion. The principal address was to
have been delivered by DR.. Thomas
Chalmers Easton. pastor Of the church.
Beyond that there appears to have been
very different plans in contemplation
by the two organizations. No compro-
mise between the warning camps and
the minister seemed possible last night
and none was made.
When the time for services. S O'Clock,
arrived. the Legion men were in posi-
tion in the central tier of seats near
the front. and the veterans Of the post
were in waiting In the basement Mean
while DR.. Easton and representatives
of both organizations were in animated
discussion in front of the building. The
organist prolonged a voluntary. and the
congregation became impatier' and be-
gan TO shift about. The discussion was
moved into the auditorium, and 1t flour
ished at the backs Of the pews nearest
the front entrance. while all other pro-
ceedings were in allegiance
Mutterings of Discomfort.
The members of the post moved up
from the basement. and looking in. saw
no space reserved for their body. The |
ushers were called and told II there |
was not clearing made for them imm.- |
diately they would move homeward |
They we're given reserved spaces along
side the already seated members of the
Legion Mutterings of discomfort were
heard on all sides. and a feeling that
thcre would be no services began to
spread.
TIE ladies' connected with the Grand
Army organization came in and we're
held for while, but were soon given
tcrts at the front near the veterans
All the organizations were in, but the
services were not commenced. The Of
ieers of the church and the ushers
stood idly by while the discussion was
,oing on, and inquirers were told. that
he regular services would be held.
The main cause OF trouble was said
o be over the program. EncampmentI
so. So had distributed printed programs. .
N which there was no reference 10
-homas Camp. This program provided
or an anthem. three hymns. opening
eryiees according 20 the ritual OF the
rider. prayer by the chaplain OF the en- @
ampment. an address by Col. II. L. h
leen. reading of the names and records
{ the comrades who had died in the
ear past. crowning the vacant chairs
epresenting dead comrades. crowning 1
acant chair In honor of the patriotic q
omen of the war, the song "Tcnting On n
be Old Camp Ground" an address by
oil Luke Kelly, a solo and chorus,
n address by DIR. Easton, the pastor,
nd taps. No other program had been
repaired. b
II appears to have been the impress q
ion Of the Grand Army men that Gus p
lmary Grand Army exercises OF open &
ig would be had and the remainder of II
he program was to be left to DR.. d
aston and the church choir.
Joint Service Announced. Il Il
An announcement had been made in Il
lie newspapers by the church authori- II
es Of the joint service. 1t was an
ounccd that DR.. Easton would deliver r
n address On The Ideal Republic" Z
nd that the church would be decorated
nd that patriotic songs would be used
he choir, under the leadership of Mr.
homas l.. Jones. was prepared to rem Il
er the music given by DR.. Easton, hav- Ct
lg no other instructions. "
About $50 o'clock Dr. Easton took his n
ace on the rostrum. He was accom- h.
lnied by the Grand Army chaplain m
he invocation hymn used by the con- Ia
regation was sung. and Chaplain =.
own. of the Grand Army. was asked :"
lead in prayer. After the prayer, IL
Ie choir was getting in readiness to sc
ndpr tho anthem "NarchinP Rcnpnfh | 81