New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-25
CENTENNIAL OBSERVATIONS
AN HONOR DUE THE VETERANS.
GENERAL SCHUYLER HAMILTON SHOWS WHY

GENERAL SCHUYLER HAMILTON SHOWS WHY
THEY SHOULD HAVE THE FRONT RANK.
| TO the Edttor OF The Tribune.
Sir: The parade or pageant of the Centennial Of
"ashngtons Inauguration, as was HIS reception whch
he came to New-iork TO be inaugurated. Is cvidenuy
copied from the triumphs decrced by tho Senate Of
Rome to her successful generals Trumphs were not
always dccrced by the Senate. The people OF Rome
sometimes determined a triumph even II the Sen
ate would not decree IT. At Washingtons Inaugural
ton I'm 1879 It the outpourng OF the love OF his
countymen for the Father of his Country that decreed
1t. We had then Senate exercising Its functions
and the Senate Of the United States happily can decree
no trumphs.
The general outside OF the City of Rome sent an &C
count of his services and applied to tho Senate for
triumph. Then, according TO the Portian Law OF
Triumphs, II a triumph decided upon. the Senate
assembled in the Temple OF Bcllona. tho Goddess OF
War; read the generals application and decreed pub
nc Thanksgiving On the day appointed the Senate
went foot TO the Campus Martins. outside of the
city, to receive the triumpher. No general exercising
military command was allowed within the walls Of
Rome. The decree of triumph granted a suspension
for the moment Of this law. Clad in purple robe.
with a wreath OF laurel his head. the conqucror
distributed gifts and honors TO his soldiers and dev-
| cred address describing the achievements Of his
victorious army The procession was then formed.
The cors, police, their fasces adorned with laurel,
trates Of the city
1t is said that unarmed men should march In
front Of armed troops in Centennial because It
was not the usage The Senate were unarIncd, yet
they decrced the triumph and made II possible Tho
magistrates Of the city unar1ned. The lctors.
police had their decorated with laurel No
Senate. IL is true, has dccreed the Centennial pageant
After a century of experiment of government " OF
tho people, by the people and for the people" the
people OF the Empire state and city have decieed
It. The veteran made 1t possible. As the unarmed
SENATE and magistrates OF Rome marched IN front,
the veterans who were called upon that the
country suffered damage who saved the country,
the flag and the I Mon. should march In front This
Is not In honor IA themselves though they deserve
the honor but IN honor of Washington and his com
peers. Abraham Lincoln and his OmpeeIe. and thOso
comrades who gave their lives for their country. DO
not let tho surviving veterans bring up the Icar; as
did Columbus the discoverer Of the New World. The
dead I'm Heaven will look on and weep: The veterans
shudder the graves decorate MAT tbcy through
their surviving comrades. trcand with such dis
respect Tho wide world will cry shame on an nn
grateful country If the veterans have not the place
of honor. .
DO not make It historic that everybody was put
before the veterans I'm this great pageant Ihey "eTc
carly once when the country called. DO not maze
them latc the country Is saved They we!c
first I'm battle: 10 not make them last now In peace
They were always before when needed, 10 not put
them behind now II may be said that II viii derangc
tho present arrangement. That gallant veteran
General schofcd. who, on many batuot Fields has
moved divisions and army corps SO successfully, VIII
"a silly manage this. SCHt ll.ER HANlLI'N,
Mai. Gen. Vol, L. D. A.
New York April H. 1850