Evening star., 1938-05-29

0uU tIuS odIllc uIluAIulIC0 epnAb
nearly wrecked the plans for a reunion
Of both the Blue and the Gray.
THE old hostility between the Grand
Army of the Republic and the
United Confederate Veterans over the
carrying Of the stars and bars was the
cause. Curiously enough. most Of the
feeling on the question came from the
Boys in Blue Several years ago, when
the idea of a joint reunion was first
broached, national G. A. r. conven-
ton went on record as approving the
idea for its individual members, but
not for the organization.
Only last September the g. A. r..
in session at Madison, Wis, adopted
a resolution to attend the reunion.
but stipulated that such reunion have
in view only the flag Of this United
States Of America"
Word Of this action was not long in
reaching the Confederates at their
homes across what was once the Ma
son-Dixon Line. Spirited as ever, they,
too, flared up. Harry Rene Lee. ad-
jutant general of the U. c. ", retorted
that "stipulations didn't mean . thing
to wearers of the gray"
Il want it distinctly understood"
he stormed, that the display Of Con-
federate uniforms and flags will be
very much in evidence and that there
still exist broad-minded soldiers who
opposed each other in the open. They
are the men who will be at Gettys-
burg"
However, it was largely through the
finesse and tact of Paul L. Roy. execu-
tive secretary of the commission, that
an open break was averted. He ap-
peared before a number Of the State
conventions Of the U. C. ". pouring
oil on the troubled waters. Eventually.
he told them: You can wave your
flag as much as you want"
From West Virginia former mem.
Der of Ewells corps asked: Gould you
git me Confederate uniform to come
in? Mine got broke up and Is not At
to come in" Then he said he will be
90 on May II and mot able to work"
| Quite a large number of Union vet
Grams fatty declared that they would
not appear if the stars and bars was
to be ranked alongside of the stars
and stripes.
However an even larger number ex-
pressed nothing but pleasure at the
prospect of greeting and shaking
hands with their one-time foes.
A MOTHER matter which brought
difference Of opinion from these
youngsters" was a suggestion BY the
commission for the re-enactment Of
Pickett's famous charge on the third
day OF the battle A few were in IA
vor Of the idea, but the majority op-
posed it on the ground that 1t might
engender a bitter feeling. Conse-
quently, this idea has been aban-
doned, and there will be nothing rem.
iniscent of the actual battle.
California leads all Of the other
States in the number Of acceptances.
with Ohio. Texas, Illinois, Pennsyl-
vania, Indiana, New York, Missouri,
Kansas, Iowa, Michigan. Virginia.
Florida, Tennessee and Oklahoma fol-
lowing in the order named. One and
two veterans in virtually all Of the
other States have also notified the
commission they will be on hand II
still living"
An elaborate program for the vet
erans' entertainment has been worked
out by the Pennsylvania State COM
mission, which has the cooperation Of
a United States commission headed
by Secretary of War Harry Woodring.
| In commemoration Of the reunion
q special issue of half dollars was au-
thorized by the Federal Treasury. On
one side these are profiles Of Union
and Confederate soldier, with the in
scription, blue and Gray Reunion" !"
The reverse shows two shields, one the
Union, the other the Confederate, sep
arated by q mace. while around the
edge is 1863-75th Anniversary
1938-Battle Of Gettysburg" Only
$4,000 Of the half dollars have been
minted.
Possibly the greatest and most out.
standing event Of the program Will be
| the lighting and dedication on Sun.
day, July 8, Of the Eternal Light
Peace Memorial" which has been
erected by the commission with IN
appropriation of 100000 made by the
PENNSYLVANIA Legislature. This memo.
rial, located at a strategic wooded spot
on the 16,000-acre battlefield, bears
the inscription, Peace Eternal In
United Nation" and Is dedicated Ito
all men, women and children who par.
ticipated in any way" At the top Of
the marble shaft Is an eternal peace
light" which Is to burn constantly.
THE dedicatory address will be made
i by President Roosevelt. His ap-
pearance as the orator Of the day re-
calls the visit Of another President OF
the United States, Abraham Lincoln.
to the battlefield. Here 1t was that
President Lincoln made his immortal
Gettysburg Address" late IN 1858.
when he dedicated the battlefield -
a national cemetery. ecr
These dedicatory exercises are to be
at 8 pm, while in the morning open-
air memorial services for those men.
both Of the Blue and Of the Gray. who
died In defense Of what they belteyAd
to be right, ere to be held. va
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