The National tribune., 1889-01-17
THE GAR. AT THE INAUGURATION.

States.
This fact, combined with the unusual in
terest aroused by the exciting Presidential
campaign, and the general desire of thou
sands of veterans to revisit thec city for which
they fought so hard, led to a general express
sion of a wish that the Inauguration might
be made the occasion of large muster of
the GAR.
This was met by some fearful souls with
an expression of dread that the proposed
demonstration might be liable to the charge
Of partisansbip.
The matter was formally brought to the
attention of the Commander-in-Chief by
letter from Col Charles P Lincoln, Com
mander of the Department of the Potomac
The COMMUNICATIVE Chief consulted with
our distinguished comrade, Gen. W. S. Rose
Grams, as a representative Democratic COM
rade, and the latter in letter to the Com
mander-in-Chief gave his heartiest support
to the suggestion.
Chief Warner thereupon
addressed the following letter to Com
mander Lincoln:
HEADQUARTERS GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC,
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Jan. r. 1889. I
CHARLES p. LIyCoLE, esq., Commander, Depart
ment of the Potomac GAR, Washington, d. G.
MY DEAR CoNRADB: in your communication
of the IIth inst. you state that in view of the
fact that on each occasion of the Inauguration of
President of the United States since the organi-
cation of this Department (Potomacl of the GAR,
the Department has participated in the parade and
inaugural ceremonies and then add, Il desire to
inquire to the propriety of making such partici-
patton of our comrades on the 18th of March next
/ more general by official action your part as
/ Commanderin-Chief
lam also in receipt of letter of the date as
yours from Comrade w. s. Rosecrans, dated at the
| Treasury Department, Registers Office, in which
! that distinguished comrade says: Many of our
comrades OF the GAR here think it would crafty
| very many ia this District, and in the cities and
| towns OF neighboring States, If they could attend
the coming Presidential Inauguration in body,
and have provided for them at the request of our
! Commander-in-Chief, other civic and nonpo-
litcl organizations, definite place in the line Of
march.
De4eNC II AuSfS De any preference AuhOS hs
between different civic societies in this regard,
those composed Of the men who fought and suf-
fered TO save the Union entitled TO that pref
erence. The great Grand Army of the Union en-
braced within it men of all religious and political
faiths held together by the fraternity inspired by
common dangers, privations and sufferings en-
dured for the salvation and glory of common
country
THIS rlustrious soldier then says: AZ hope you
IL H.. 1.s
the desires referred to in the beginning of this
letter"
That II is proper for memberso of the Grand Army
of the Republic either as individuals, Posts or De-
paFtments to participate in the inaugural cere-
monies none viii question.
These ceremonies evidence the strength and
| perpetuity Of a Government of the people, by
the people and for the people" By these cere-
monies 60 100000 Of people ratify and confirm the
decree of time when citizens Of the Republic
meet on a common plane, having but one country,
flag and one destiny, to inaugurate their Presi
dent.
shall, in compliance with your request and that
of Comrade Roseerans, make application for a
definite place in the line of march for the Grand
Army of the Republic in the Inauguration parade
Certain il is that the men who fought and suf-
fered to save the Union >" the men who rendered
it possible 10 inRugurste Chief Executive of q
united people under an interrupted Constitution
should, If they SO desire. be assigned a suitabls
place in the line Of march.
Whether the comrades shall participate in these
ceremonies or not, must be determined by them
As Commander-in-Chie can do no more than
look to the comfort of those who may attend To
this end hereby appoint you Aid e-Camp on tht
National Staff. and request that all communica
tons from Departments and Posts desiring to tax,
part in the parade and inaugural ceremonies b.
sent to you. If further official action on the par
of these Headquarters be deemed necessary, it vii
be taken in due time.
Fraternally, WIN. WARNER,
Commander-in- Chief.
The Communicated Chief wrote to Gen
Rosecrans as follows:
HDQRs GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC,
WAsHINGToN, ID. O.. Jan. II, 1899
/ My DEAR GENERAL: Your esteemed favor of tn
Ilth inst received. assure you that fully eoncu
in the sentiments therein expressed. herewith il
close answer TO letter from Comrade Charles
Lincoln, Commander, Department of the PotC
mac, GAR, which viii show the action / sha
take on your and his suggestions Trusting tina
l may be favored with suggestions from time t
time on such subjects as you may desire to tn
good of grand organization. whose broa
catholicism binds all deserving survivors of tn
Union army and navy together in eomradeshi
lA4tAb AiO NSbAAiSt4Oh "a dllN - moi
cumscribed by partisan or sectarian differences.
With kindest regards, am yours, fraternalIy,
WIN. WARNER,
, Commander-in- Chief.
To Gen. W. s. RosEeRANs.
OF the correctness of the view so ably ez
pressed by Gen. Rosecrans, who is certainl
a representative Democrat, there can be Il
I doubt The Inauguration has no SAVIOR
partisanship in il, the Inaugural Executiy
{ Committe being composed Of both Democrat
> and Republicans. The President-elect h;
ceased to be a candidate of party He
now an officer of the whole people-a pa
. of our Government. 1t is just as fifth
e and proper for the GAR. to assist in il
=" stalling him into Office as it is for the Reg
lar Army or the militia of the warrior
States to participate in the ceremony.
n Nobody dissents from this view. At Il
le recent Inauguration Of D. B. Hill as Go
l. ernor of New York, the GAR. of that D
Of partment turned out in large numbers, al
1t formed considerable portion of the proce
le sim which escorted him tn the State Hon,