Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-08-17

to members of the G. A. r., on ac-
count of the earthquake and fire in
San Francisco and adjacent places.
The communicable reitera ted
his views expressed in general orders
regarding a proper observance of Me-
mortal day and said that as the result
OF his recommendations concerning the
graves of Confederates buried on
Northern soil he had received number
Of touching messages from mothers Of
the South whose sons are buried in
Northern soil, pouring out their APP
probation of the spirit embodied in
his order. These, he said, were too
tender and sacred to be hcralded pub
licly, but if he had received but one
such communication he would have
felt amply justified for the recon-
mendations he made.
Reference also was made to his
recommendation that the Sunday pre-
ccding Memorial day be duly observed
as Memorial Sunday in order that the
growing custom in many places of re-
garding Memorial day as a mere holi-
day for games and amusementS, may
be checked.
He expressed qualification at the gen.
eral observance of Flag Day following
its official recognition by the 39th En-
campmcnt. While the observance of
the 14th Of June as Flag Day by the
G.. A. r. had its value for those who
bad reached mature life, he said, it's
primary object was to inspire the
young with love for their country.
After urging upon members to al
ways uncover upon hearing the Ma
tional Anthem, Commander-in-Ch
Tanner dwelt at length on the subject
of patriotic societies auxiliary to and
in sympathy with the q. a. r.
He said. The time is coming, if not
think about the property Of the Grand
Army uf the Republic not belonging
TO posts. II is wei known that posts
nave acquired valuable real estate ana
other property. and we should serious
" consider what should ultimately be
done with this valuable property. OF
course, the property belongs to indi-
vidual posts. but it is entirely proper
that the national and departmental or
CARNATIONS should act in an advisory
capacity III relation thereto. and il is
Il question whether it is not almost
1llflt ~ GtilpllIl Al tclniHillff TO care
fully consider tho whole subject. and
The relations to be sustained in future
between the Grand Army Of the Re
public and the Woman'G Relief Corps,
the Ladies' Of the Grand Army of the
Republic. the Daughters of Veterans,
the Sons of Veterans and other patri-
otto organizations
All Of these societies had done great
good and given substantial help T.
| those Of the order in need Continu-
ing he said:
If in the fulnesS of time, these var
ious patriotic organizations should
| merge into one grand body, what an
impulse would be given to the cause
we have 80 much at heart, what re-
suits would accrue to our beloved
| country. and as a minor yet very i'm
portant consideration how much less It
would cost to maintain one Organiza-
| ton in the highest condition of efficien-
cy, than it now costs to conduct the
affairs Of the several organizations, all
largely devoted to the same object"
The proposed monument to Capt
| ain Wirz who was in charge
| of unreasonable Prison. was strongly
| condemned. He said Anderson
vile was the property of the
Womans Relief Corps and that nc
| monument to Wirz ever would be per
| mitteG upon it. but there was no Ie-
| gal power to prevent anyone SO dis
posed from purchasing a plot of ground
\ near ATdersonville and erecting there
on any monument that might be desir.
ed. He declared. however, that the
veterans of the Confederate Army were
not to any appreciate degree interest
ed in tre movement The whole pro-
| Ject. he said. had its impetus and forct
| among the women of the South. After
deprecating the necessity for calling
public attention to the matter, he said
"As one who welcomes with JOY every
movement calculated to assuage thu
| lingering pains of that mighty conflict
l deprecate to the last degree an!
| movement of the kind proposed. and
| think that it IS due to ourselves, T.
our great organization, and to tn,
truth Of history that this encampmen
should place on record before the pub
lie ut large Il most forcible but digni
| fled protest against any such impiou:
| (CoOtipua5 on paoe EIveN