The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-26
THE BLUE AND THE GRAY.
Comma nder Walker Talks I'm OppOsi-
tiOn to the Proposed Parade.

New York Tribune.
Gen. Ivan ". Walker. commander-in-chief
of the G. A. r., in speaking last evening
of the proposed blue and Gray" joint pa
rade in this city en- the Fourth of July,
did not meet the approval of the Grand
Army. of the Republic. II have made my
self familiar with the sentiment of our
comrades in nearly every important city in
the Union" the Commander-in-chief said,
land their opinion is generally adverse to
the project In phisaepna Rso
bany Detroit, Milwaukee st. Paul, Mime
apolis. Boston, Providence. Harrisburg.
Washington, st. Louis, indianapolis and
tial members in this city and Brooklyn.
and i'm many other places have visited,
there is a strong feeling that the plan
lone argument against it is that IL is in
opportune. The time selected is most I'M
sand veterans CT both sides to this city.
when all the residents who can get away
will be gone to the mountains and the sea-
side TO avoid the hottest part of the sum-
mer, seems very unwise to most comrades
with whom have talked. Exposure TO the
intense rays of the sun in a long march
over the heated pavements of this city on
a July day will be almost certain to mean
disease and death to a large number of tne
men of advanced years who are expected 10
take part in the parade.
thirty years the necessity or public testi-
mony TO the restoration of peace and the
promotion of earnest and thorough frater-
nal feeling, it certainly cannot be said that
1t has been in any degree owing to the acts
or omissions of the Grand Army of the Re-
public. AS an organization. and as individ-
uals, we have always been anxious 10 meet
and cooperate with any and all upon the
common plane of loyalty to the country.
What is to be the nature OF the parade?
II it is to be, as / fear, the intention to
obliterate the radical distinction between
the two armies and have them 50 march as
to represent antagonistic ideas although IL
may not be made as fully apparent as 1t
might be by carrying the discarded ban
it's true symbol. cannot indorse the prof.
ect. We cannot. organization, join
in any public demonstration. and march
with those who fought against the Union
shot to death by the Grand Army OF the
Republic thirty years ago.
The Grand Army has for its cardinal prin-
ciples fraternity, Charity and loyalty and its
lily extend in the broadest fraternal sense
the sentiments that these tenets emboiy
to those who fought 50 vallantly against
them in the armies of the rebellion. at the
ger into which the Union was brought and
the sacrifices and patriotic services OF those
who so brayey offered and freely gave their
lives for its salvation, and believing that
should live through all generations. they
should not encourage anything that would
tend to efface it from the minds OF the
people.
be but one flag and that OF the United
States i'm the parade. Why not require the
same a. TO uniform? The sooner those who
wore the gray shall cease trying to symbol
lie the lost cause by flag or uniform and
shall refrain from representing themselves
as a distinct part of the people. the sooner
Will a full realization of patriotism and
fraternity be brought about