Telegram-herald., 1889-07-16
ADVISED NOT TO co.


i<f ~ TIE -. A. n
The following letter u tie Grand
Array posts n tie department. sf Mich
gaa has been issued o. Department
Commander Brown, OF BIZ Rapids. IN
reference = the National eneampmsnt.
HEABQC DEFr or MIca..1
1AASD AEAF or FHE kEFCsLtc,
bIs RAIDS. Mlcas, July Is, -.
After long continued and bOn4 Hde
efforts on the part CT a large uuHberof
the department commanders sf the
Graud Army of the Republic, supple
HeLted ~ earnest appeals q the rsll-
F0&d 0fhcs from our ceRmSnder-iu-
chleE and the executive council " Nil
Naukes. we have failed 10 secure FOR
the Old sCld@ss the customary rate u
one cent per sale travelled ~ and from
tie National eueampnens % be held at
Milwaukee, We, during the last week
ln August. In view al tie fact tast a
rate Of one cent mile and less has re-
Gently been given u other Organlza-
tlons, soclet.ss and excuTs ous, there il
a general feeling that the men whose
services and sacrifices alone made
Il possible for the railroads 10
exist and share IA the prosperity
which hSs attended the Nation ia
fccent years are entitled 10 the rate
asked for, and which mas been recently
accorded % others. Firmly believing
that the refusal 10 give said rates OF
one cent = mile travelled is an unjust
discrimination against the veterans OF
tae late war, therefore, IN concurrent
action with the department command
ers OF Illinois, Indiana, kentucky,
Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and
Minnesota, who have ana Will issue a
circular similar 10 this IN their respec-
tIVc departments, advise all comrades
o. tins department, as a matter OF sell
respect and self defense and out of
love for our order, that they forego the
anticipated pleasure OF meeting their
comrades at the National encampment
by remaining az home, only those at
tending who are duly elected delegates
or ex-OtfielO members of the encamp-
ment. Comrades, let Us be dIgntied
but resOlute and determined IN this
matter, and mantully resent this in
justice sought 10 bc meted out 70 the
men Who gave the best years. 4of their
Il YES and their best energies To make
our country united, strong and pros
porous, aud oar flag, a. well a our
laws and our theory Of government by
the people, respected and admired
throughout the civilized world.
issue this circular with much regret.
1t viii be n great disappointment to
thousands OF comrades in this and
other departments to have the antici-
pated grand reunion resolve Itself into
u mere formal business session. 1t will
also be great disappointment TO the
comrades ana patriotic people of Mil
wauAce who were doing every thing in
their power 10 give their visitors gem
erous welcome. They are entitled TO
the thanks and best wishes of all the
comrades of the Grand Army of the
Republic for their efforts, and 1t Is TO
be regretted that we can not with any
degree OF self-rcSpect reward Them or
their arduous labors by our presence AT
the encampment. Personally, l shall
be greatly disappointed. l had
hoped to see the department
of Michigan very largely repre-
sented IN the grand parade and review.
But with principle involved and with
the future good of our noble order in
view, ! believe | am doing right, and
that the comrades throughout this de-
partment will lndorse my action.
wish 10 say that ] am Informed that
some of the great railroad systems of
this country were IN favor OF the one
cent n mile rate. but a majority beng
opposed they deemed 1t To be their
duty to agree TO the rate announced,
to-wit, one fare for the round trip.
l recommend that the comrades or.
game county and district reunions,
and that each post have as many social
gatherings as possible. Let US stand
firmly upon the great principles of
fraternity, ch -ity aud loyalty.
VI. BRowN,
Department Commander.
y III XTxcFNr Ass,f Adif General