New-York tribune., 1884-02-26
UNIFORMED VETERANS.
COLONEL CLARK's REPLY TO CRITICISM.
fRE CIRCULAR OF THE COMMANDER OF THE VET
ERANs SHARPLY ANSWERED.

ERANs SHARPLY ANSWERED..
Colonel Clark, of the 9Th Regiment, has written "a
sharp reply to the circular of l.. W. Mnehester' Ine
dated on February 2S and was called out by the
statement of the Generals and Co9pels Oh .ne % Na-
tonal Guard in NewYork and Brook5yh oobcvTh,ns rl
uni orTned veteran assoclatiohs' Soio"0A N
says:
Instead Of defending the assumption and use OF military
ttos by who have never fairly earned Ihein In any
men who in the military service OF the state or
circular referred to is evidently intended TO divert public
by TRADE of personal abuse OF the Soonel OF
into any personal controversy on subject which
germs only the welfare OF the National Guard nor can ne
any mart OF the exempt members OF the 9TH
Regiment II is necessary however TO state IN reply 20
assert that he did not that the Colonel OF the 7th
Regiment and Of its officers and members although
on friendly with the officers and members OF the
Uniformed Veteran Corps, very hostile 10 the ex
stsnee Of such for the reason that ey 6 h
insnt In May, 1873, tile undersigned and committee
called the attention OF the then commandant OF this Uni
formed Veteran Corps TO the injury done 10 the regiment
bY the existence of such corps and from that day TO this
ticre have been periodical outbreaks, though public
demonstrations, OF this feeling 1t has been often pre-
come sooner or later between the 9TH Regiment and this
Uniformed Veteran Corps. IN which one or the other
connected with either cannot be ignorant Of the facts as
above stated II this necessary action had been taken
only by the Colonel OF the 9TH Regiment or ny It's boau
OF Officers, some notice would propaDy Z ntNe nTcn @
giy nf the publication OF the Impending pro
test; but it the JOINT action OF tne ociIi.s
and Colonels of the First and second Divisions without
an exception In defence OF the interests or the wOle Ma
tona Guard such notice could be expected OF was
bat the pnhlic may understand important part OF
mater, far as the th Regiment is concerned Is
ecsay 70 state that there III the City of NcwNork
and vicinity about 5000 exempt veteran members;
That this number about 200 more or less, are mem
bers OF an association called the Veterans OF the |h
Regiment" chartered not fOr military but Tor benevolent
and social purposes that OF this l200 members OF tins
association about 400 have obtained and worn military
uniforms and their officers the military insignia or
rank grade although III express violation OF Sectoh
50. CHAPTER 299, Laws OF 1883; that the exempt or
veteran members OF the regiment who do not wear uni
forms, SAY $500 in number, are, so lar as known, O-
posed the uniformed veteran corps that the 400 uni
formed members of the association nave obtained confo
OF it the ununifOrmed members OF the association
are practically excluded from Oce or nom any part IN
its management, and, therefore naturally absent them
selves its meetings. that the usefulness or the as
socatiOn IL greatly impaired because the men VINO con-
chiefly Interested in fancy uniforms parades
excursions and other festivities; that consequent the
benevolent fund OF the association, which should long
since have reached a large amount, Is now only 1000,
and very INADEQUATE relief needy members and
their families; that of the members of the uni
corps who procured uniforms, supposing
thereby have long since laid them ASIDE and have
fused 10 wear them again in street parahes or on any
other occasion. While the President or commanding
officer of association may probably represent ma
ioiV OF the 400 uniformed members OF the association,
does properly represent the ununofmed members
to auy considerable the exempt and veteran
members who enrolled in the association nor all
the members who have been induced 10 procure uni
forms The time may when the ununiOrlned mem
bcrs the association and the uniformed members VINO
desire promote the interests Oi tie regiment Will as
seIt their rights am the association to its legal
and legitimate purposes.