The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-13
Their Reasons for Seeding from the
salvation Army and Organising
the Volunteers.
GENERAL BOOTH TO BLAME
HE OBJECTED TO EVERYTHING
THAT sAvORED OF AMERICANIsM.
Opposed Use of Symbols of Liberty,
Tried to Enforce Odious Laws and
Ignored His Sons Wishes.

NEW YORK, April 12.-Commander and
Mrs. Ballington Booth gave out the append
ed statement tonight at Volunteer head
quarters:
"Since our statement, written in response
to the urgings we received TO inaugurate a
new movement, was issued, we avoided
making any reply to the inaccurate state
ments which have, from time to time, ap-
peared in print from the present leaders Of
the Salvation Army. In this attitude of ST.
lence we have been indorsed by our friends
and the public. 1t was our intention to
maintain this silence, but, during the last
few days, news has reached us that por-
tions OF our private letters are being shown
by London's representatives, who are put
ting their own interpretations on our rea-
sons for our present position. Hearing of
this our friends and our officers who wish
their position at our side to be understood,
urge US to state some Of our reasons for
deciding not to take another command un-
der the international government.
1--WE have appealed to the American people
for help and support and we cannot forget
a decent respect for the opinion of mankind
requires that we declare the causes which
impelled us to this separation 1t must, how
and is a very delicate one from the fact
that there is more of the personal element
which we cannot eliminate from the contro-
versy because of our family relationship
with the founder and leaders of the Saliva
tion Army
cit has been repeatedly asked why we do
not publish our letter Of the 31st of Janu-
airy, which has been so wrongly quoted as
our resignation. That letter, being a private
communication from son to father and
brother, we have not felt that we could
honorably make public. The receivers Of the
letter are at perfect liberty to do so, pro-
viding they print it intact.
I'm justice to our present position, it must
be stated, with emphasis, that no one letter
embraces all the reasons for our inability
to accept another command, but that letters
covering period of nearly two years past,
and also those of later date than the 31st
of January, are necessary TO an understand
ing Of the situation, especially the letter of
April 5, 1896.
LETTERS TO HEADQUARTERS
ION receipt of orders to leave America we
wrote a letter. dated Jan. TO- asking If in
ternational headquarters had taken into
consideration all the cons squences Of the
change of comrcssnd at th&t particular time
The feeling towards England then existing
In this country, the heavy financial re-
sponsibility of our new building, and our
peculiar and unfortunate relations with the
General Qrom whom we had received no
communication of any character for nearly
six months) made it appear to us a most
unfortunate and ill-advised step. This letter
was followed by others from US stating that
we were preparing to fulfill their orders
and to relinquish our command.
ION JAM 81 London stating
some of our reasons for being unable con-
scientiously to accept another command. but
making plain that We did not wish to in
jure the army the following sentence
will show: We have wanted TO have our
dear people who from shore to shore of this
territory believe in and love us. and yet,
on the other hand, we cannot be incon-
sistent. How could we take another COM
mand feeling as We do? The only light we
have received from God is that upon the
namely, to obey your orders and to resign
our command, and then as expeditiously as
possible to return
ment being made that we were unwilling to
obey orders, or that the prospect of leaving
this country was the cause of dissatisfac-
ton, We quote the following paragraph in
this same letter Dan. 81: 1T must not be
said at any time that we have left because
We were unwilling to leave America. This
would be untrue, for We have made no re-
monstance, nor have refused 1t should
be carefully remembered:
"First-That Londons representatives
after they had precipitated the whole trans
action and forced US from our position, so
preventing our quiet farewell and retirement
made the definite statement that said
that had lost confidence in the General
and In our International system of admins
tration,' which reasons alone, by their own
showing. would prove that we could not
consistently accept another field under the
circumstances.
"Second-It should be distinctly understood
that our feeling regarding the matters of
controversy We're known by London prior 10
the sending of our farewell orders Many
letters passed between US and the General
after our interview with him in this coun-
try previous 10 the time when direct COM
munication from him 10 us ceased"
AN ANTI-AdERICAN.
Continuing, the statement gives these rea-
sons for the action of Mr. and Mrs. Balling-
ton Booth:
"First-The Generals visit was the pri-
mary cause of trouble between us and HIM
self. From first to last he impressed with
his displeasure and dissatisfaction with us
personally and with our method of admins
tering affairs. We loved and understood this
country. He exhibited prejudice and mis-
conception of 1t and its people. He objected
to the display Of the national flag on our
badges and in our halls and homes. He
| SAID the tlme n91 arrived TO cease carrying
| the stars and stripes at the head of our
parades. He objected to the use of the
| eagle on our crests and constantly spoke de-
| preciatngly OF the country, its people and
| its Institutions. Our constant defense and
| explanation In answer to his attacks only
| increased the difficulty. With our affection
| for and knowledge of America this placed
| us in a most unfortunate position. He, in
| consequence, showed but little interest and
| sympathy with US personally. He spoke no
word in public of approval of our toll and
| success, and in other ways we need not
| mention, made the visit one of the bitteresi
| OF our lives.
| .'Second-During our experience in Amer
| lea we have gradually become convinced
| that the system OF governing the work in
| this country from foreign center by laws
| made by those unaware Of the needs and
| conditions of the country. is~neither wise
ror practical Constant friction, on this ac-
count. existed between US and the interna-
| tional heaiuarters-
| s.Third-Our judgment has been forced on
| points that we do not approve and We have
| been made to feel that the government was
/ such that, so far as we were personally con-
| cerned, we could not accept another COM
mand where We should have TO administer
| the affairs while we ourselves could not
| agree with the rules IL demanded and en-
| forced. In many ways our authority was
| limited no books could be published unless
| revised by London; no prominent promo
ton, no important move, even no change II
| detail of uniform. etc, could take place
under this rule without correspondence te
1 gain permission.