The National tribune., 1909-11-04
THE LEE STATUE.

| AIter having tne mdtttI uiiuSt SON-
sideration for over a year, the great
and influential Commandery of the Mill
tary order of the Loyal Legion for the
State of New York unanimously
adopted. al its meeting held Oct. 6, the
following preamble anG resolutions:
Whereas one of the Fundamental,
principles of Tho Military Order of the
lLoyal Legion of the United States is
true allegiance to the United States of
America, based upon paramount re-
spect for and fidelity to the National
Constitution and Laws, manifested by
Idiscountenancing whatever may tend TO
weaken loyalty, incite to insurrection,
treason or rebellion, or impair in any
manner the efficiency and permanency
of our free Institutions" and
| Whereas unswerving loyalty to the
National Government at the sacrifice IL
necessary of property. family and life
Itself, should stand as the highest duty
in the heart of every American; and
| Whereas the growing commercial
Interests which deprecate patriotic con-
Idemnation of dislOyal acts and express
Isions; the proposed appropriation by
lCongress of public moneys for the erec-
ton in the National Capitol of a statue
Ito Gen. Robert Il. Lee, late Commander
of the Confederate forces; and the per-
mitting of the inscription on monu-
ments erected in National Cemeteries
of the record of service in arms against
the National Government, indicate di-
Iminishing appreciation of this sacred
duty, possibly owing to changes in pop
ulation and the birth of new genera
tions during the A years since the war
of the rebellion closed; and
| Whereas if those to whom the war
of the rebellion is history only, includ-
ing our own young generation, do not
learn from US the conceptions of true
patriotism we shall fail in one of our
highest and noblest duties; and
Whereas for the reasons set forth,
we deem this an appropriate time to re-
assert the sic-principles of National
| Loyalty, and to draw the line clearly
between loyalty and disloyalty (no mat
ter how the latter may be manifested,
or how coupled with exalted character
or admirable personal attributes) to the
end that those who come after us may
know, and knowing, teach their chill
dren that conception of duty to their
country upon which the perpetuity of
our Government and Nation must for
all time depend; therefore, be 1t
Resolved, That it is the sense of this
Commandery that no statue, monument
or memorial to any one for whom dis
tinction- is claimed because of treason
able service against the Nation should
be permitted in the National Capitol,
and no insignia or record of any such
service should be permitted on any
monument in any National Cemetery.
And be it further
Resolved, That the wearing by any
officer or employee of the National
Government. while on duty, of Confed-
crate insignia or uniforms should be
prohibited. And be it further
Resolved, That copy of this pream-
BILE and Resolutions shall forthwith be
sent by the Recorder of this Command
cry to the Commander-in-Chief and
each Commandery of the Military Or
der of the Loyal Legion of the United
States; to the President and Vice Pres
ident of the United States; to the
Speaker of the House of Representa-
tives, and to each Member of Congress
from the State of New York, and that
he furnish a copy thereof to the daily
press of this city and such portion of
the press of the country as the Com
mander may designate, and that the Re
corder shall, at the next meeting of
this COmmandery, report the execution
of this order. And be it further
Resolved, That all organizations. mil
itary or civic, which prize loyalty to the
National Government, be requested>to
aid in carrying out. the intent of the
foregoing preamble and resolutions.
BANKSON 7. MORGAN,
Lieutenant-Colonel, U. S. v.
WILLIAM HEMSTREET,
Lieutenant-COlOnel, u. S. V.
WIN. S. COGSWELL,
Lieutenant-Colonel, u. s. v.
THOMAS STURGIS.
Lieutenant, 57th Mass. Inft.
Committee.
By order of
Brevet Brigadier- General Anson G..
McCook, T. S. Volunteers, Commander.
A. Noel Brakeman, Acting Assistant
Paymaster, late U. S. Navy, Recorder.