The daily sentinel., 1913-05-29
A STATEMENT.

May 2S, 1913.
Editor Daily Sentinel
] feel that | would not have done
my duty as commander of Grand
Junction Post No. 80. G. A. r.. if
did not make a brief statement con
cerning the memorial services on
May 80; so pardon me for asking you
to publish IL.
| realize as well as anyone that
this Is no time to discuss the differ
ences between our two posts. and II
/ is far from my intention to do it,
Suffice to say that Grand Junction
{ Post No. 35 was organized here some
26 years ago, and since that time
the citizens of Grand Junction have
responded to our every call. Not only
have they turned out on Memorial
day in honor of our departed COM
rades, but have contributed literally
at all times for our support.
Z Now, my good citizens of Grand
Junction, | want to call your partic-
uiar attention to our program for
memorial services for May 80, pub
lished several days ago; and, to be
fair, | want to call your particular
attention to the program published
in yesterdays papers by Phil Sheri-
dan Post No. IS.
Draw your own conclusions, my
dear people but what are We about
to witness? One post and part of
cur citizens over at our cemetery
! holding memorialus services and OBJ
serving the day as they bo%+eve it
was intended, and. at identically the
same hour, another post and part of
our citizens indulging in a street pa
rade on the streets of our city-a pa
rade that would be all right and
proper on the Fourth of July but is
no part of memorial services and does
tend to destroy the sacredness of this,
the soldiers Sabbath day.
| beg pardon ii | misconstrue the
following resolution, adopted by the
45th national encampment:
Resolved by the national encamp-
ment of the Grand Army of the Re-
public, THAT this national body
raises its dignified protest against all
dissertations of Memorial day by those
who are seeking to introduce horse
parades. tending to break down
and destroy the sublime sacredness
of the soldiers Sabbath; and, be 1t
further
Resolved, that the commander in
chief and council of administration
prior to next Memorial day, impress
upon each state department and each
Grand Army post the necessity of
prompt and united action toward in
fluencing all patriotic citizens to re-
frain from participating in or con-
tributing to the further support of
such parades. .,, in the future, be-
cause only in this way can we hope
to preserve to future generations the
purity and sacredness of Memorial
day"
The general orders of Commander
II. NJ. Minor of the department of
/ Colorado and Wyoming contain the
following:
7 "On Memorial day the comrades
should assemble at heir respective
post rooms in the forenoon and pro-
ceed to the cemetery, and there at
tend to the ritualistic services and
/ deposit upon the graves of each COM
rade the fragrant flowers of spring
time in that solemn and impressive
spirit which the occasion requires.
Again assembling at the noon
hour or soon thereafter, standing
with uncovered heads, flags at half
mast, while the bells toll for five
minutes, Immediately after which
the memorial address and such other
exercises in connection herewith will
| be had"
! Citizens, ii is your right and your
privilege to choose what you will
do on this, the soldiers Sabbath day.
| We leave it to you.
T. E. FULGHUM.
]