New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-24
GENERAL PALMER LEATES THE g. a. X.
TOO MUCH POLITICS IN 1T, HE sAYs-soME OTHER
REASONS GIVEN FOR HIS WITHDRAWAL

hlLhSONS OlN I'm fOh HIS
Chicago, Nov. % (specaD.-The news of General
Palmer's withdrawal from the Grand Army OF the
Republic was something OF a surprise TO most Of the
members here. Tho commander Of Stephenson Post,
No 30, announced at a meeting last night that Com
rade John McAuley Palmer had asked for and received
an honorable discharge from the order. General
Palmer who was candidate for Governor on the Demo
cratic ticket in the election, the first De-
partment Commander for the State OF Illinois, and
was ex-oficio Commander In Chief for the United
States 1t Is said that he bases his withdrawal upon
an alleged violation OF the constitution and ritual,
charging that the order has been perverted to political
purposes.
Tho Generals statement is most emphatically de-
MED by Grand Army men here, and ColoDel James
A. Sexton, Department Commander OF the state OF
Illinois, and II. P. Thompson, past Adjutant-General
of the Department Of Illinois, say that there would
probably have been trouble at the next annual En-
campmen in regard to the defeated candidates stand
ing In the association and that he would either have
resigned then or have been requested to. His recent
action, they say, has settled the whole affair
According to rules and regulatons,' said
Colonel Sexton, "a man who has ever held any Office
in the Grand Army of the Republic and is suspended
from the Post and subsequently, rcinstated does not
regain his Post record officer. Palmer was a
Past Department Commander and II he was suspended
from his Post, IS claimed, he would lose his rank
as Past Department officer. Swcetser, who was
Commander OF the Department last year. In making
up his list Of delegates put Palmer down as Past
Department Commander. My attention was called
to the fact that he not such, but declined TO
interfere the question TO be brought up before
the next annual Encampment. Now l can simply
add that General Palmer's resignation settles the
whole affair. l have always taken an active part In
politics until this year. but at the time being
member Of the Grand Army of the Republic did
not prevent from doing during this campaign
Simply because man has been soldier doesn't
mean that he cannot talk political questions.
Palmer, think is wrong when he says that politics
have been discussed the meetings of the assoca-
tion.s
"The soldiers talked moro this year than they did
soldier to vote for and against man who hunted
up words in the dictionary to find language with which
to abuse the soldiers. But they never discussed the
situation at the meetings"
a dispatch from Springfield says:
The report that have severed my connection with
the Grand Army is true said General Palmer to
in my life for even this seeming intention Of separating
Remembering in my youth what honors crowned the
gray yhared members OF the Order OF the Cincinnati an
order founded solely for the perpeuaon of the memories
which clustered about that revolution which gave the
American their Independence Joined heartily In
my old comrade Mr. Stephensons idea which finally
eliminated in what is known as the Grand Army
Of the Republic it's beginning until the present
year have been enthusiastically hopeful for it, good
have been disappointed thats all, and my post has
very promptly and very honorably think, given me
my withdrawal card"