Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1852-07-22
From The Providence Jou1ndi
NEWPORT, Saturday, July 10, 1852.

per OF this morning a communication
from the Committee OF Arrangements of
the city Of Providence, relating TO the
unpleasant difficulty which took place
between us on Monday last. As | can
not allow such n communication 10 pa ss
unnoticed | must beg the use of your
columns for the purpose Of stating my
version OF the circumstances, which |
trust will convince all fair minded per-
SONS. that all the blame do IS not rest NJ
on me, though some may, as think you
have very unfairly done, prejudgcd The
case, after hearing oI ly one side Of the
story.
!. The invitation of the committee, when
received, was laid before the Newport
Artillery. Some objections were made
to is form and terms, but on my taking
the ground that il was from the city OF
Providence, and made in good faith, il
was unanimously accepted. | was the
more anxious that II should be accepted,
from the fact that an opinion was pre-
valent that an unlriendIy feeling exist
ed between this company and other
companies Oi the State, and that we
were disposed to make difficulty, about
questions OF right and ranA. Knowing
that such an opinion. so far as the New
port Artillery WAS concerned, was Who'll
ly uniounded. and desi Gus to show that
such was The case, determined, if We
did go, TO uccept any position, perform
any duty, and, as far lis | could, meet
the wishes Of the military and civil au-
thorities OF the city. 1t was with such
feelings went. Alter my letter to the
commlttce, heard nothing from them,
and not hearing, Concluded that the
suggestion made by me, as to the pos
ton OF The band, was adopted. BY an
arrangement with Col. Blanding OF the
Providence Artillery, and Col. Pearce Of
the Warren Artillery, the three com
panlcs took their places III line, the band
accidentally in advance OF The Newport
Artillery. Soon after, Gen. Pitmun took
command Of the troops. broke them into
column. and commenced the march,
The column was soon halted. Up 10
this moment had received from the
committee no Information Of their ar
rangemcns for the procession, excepting
that had learned by inquiry, the time
and place oi lis forming. a ld the fact
that the cUmpanlc. were not expected
to 90 into the church. had not been
informed oi the place in the procession
assigned to the band. In the course OF
Il lew minutes, gentleman, Il do not
know his name. he Is an officer in the
Arcade Bank y roue up. and asking Tor
me, said that he thought a different ar
rangcmcnt of the music must be made,
asked why-ahd il the military were
not to have any music. | understood
him 10 say that the Providence Brass
Band MAS at the head of the column
with the Marine Artillery, Concluding
there was some mistake, | told him
hoped that The then arrangement might
be continued. lie lett saying he would
see about it. Soon after an ln'llvldual
came up, accompanied by MIR. Blodget,
one ol the committee, CT other mem
bers of the committee were present, |
did not know thcm.) and inquired for
Col. Perry. On informing him ! was
the person he sought, without annouh-
cira who he was or in what capacity he
addressed me, he said, in, TO say the
least, very excl ed manner-'thls band
must be removed, it must 90 10 the CEN
tire of the Fire Department" Though
somewhat annoyed at wha, | consider
ed then and now, Il sty Of address
somewhat wanting in The u.ual courte-
sizes OF gchlicmanly intercourse, and
particularly when applied To one who
was present by invitation of commit
tee OF the city OF Providence, civilly
renewed the suggestion made III my
letter, and expressed the hope that such
change would not be made, as it would
be dIsagreeable 10 me and TO the band.
lie said the military could not have all
the music, that the fire department must
have some. | asked il there were no
other band for them. lie said yes, there
is the Providence Brass Band, bur or
band has been to the expense OF one or
two thousand dollars in fitting them
selves with n uniform like the Infantry,
and they will not play any where else
than ut the head OF the Infantry, and
they ought to he encouraged. said
that seemed that the Providence Brass
Band were disposed 10 make difficulty
to which he replied in IA tone and man
ner deemed offensive and insulting
No sir, you are making the difficulty
We have paid for your band, and we
have the right TO use il rs we choose,
anu you have agreed TO it. Some re-
mark OF u similar nature was made, IT
am not mistaken, by Mr.. Budget
Finding then how much We had differed
in our views Of the invitation, that while
We supposed we were there as guests,
the committee considered we were hired
for their own purposes, and percclvlng
the character of the individual who adj
dressed me, | told him | should pay for
the band. and offered to leave the line,
using probably the words attributed to
me n'the statement of the committee
lie replied in a still more insulting man
ncr, if YOU don't do as we direct, you
must leave the line. Not knowing who
this person was, or by what authority
he spoke in this manner, Immediately
.ad, shall leave the line and turned TO
issue the necessary order for that pur-
pose, rcgretting deeply the necessity Tor
so doing, or for doing aught that might
seem wanting in respect to his Excollcn-
cy the Governor, the various officers,
bodies aud citizens in the procession.
Alter | turned to the company, some
one, think il was Mr.. Blodgct, (il am
wrong am ready TO apologize to him.
said, Go TO Hell with your company
and your band" This remark | did
not hear. 1t was however heard by
many ncmbcrs oflhc company. In the
course of the forenoon. IN pointing out
20 friend the person with whom ] bad
the conversation above referred To, |
,yts iniormYI that Al uua "A Mr. IuN.