The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-06-18
| THEY RESENT AN INSULT.
President Eliot Censured by Veterans and
Their Friends.


Their Friends.
ILLINOIS ENcAMPMENT's ACTION.
The Illinois annual Encampment passed the
! following resolutions:
/ Whereas the Grand Army of the Republic is the
recognized logical National custodian of the results
of the late war; and the defenders OF the interests
of the men who served the Government under the
flag and are now the advocates and promoters OF
patriotic devotion to flag and country; and
whereas the late speech of President Eliot, OF
| Harvard University, American patriotism, in
the recent Conference for International Arbitra-
ton, viii tend TO increase the general feeling OF
regret that he is mt the head OF one OF the leading
colleges OF the country, and that he has more than
| once taken upon himself TO disparage American
sentiments and institutions, and to proclaim pub
licy in his official relations, views and feelings al
variance with the prevailing ideas of American
patriotism, and continues TO denounce contempt
uously the National Admin stration in the cxer-
Z else of its prompt and approved vigorous action IN
resenting insults and defending the rights and in
teresls of the American Government which he
/ Classics as brutality and despotic mitRrism:
RCSolred, That while favoring practical National
arbitration. the Grand Army of the Rerbublic does
not hesitate to proclaim TINT IL the letter and
spirit Of patriotism that President Eliot puts into
his speeches is the kind that is taught in the
Harvard University, that good citizenship IN the
National Union implies the suppression OF those
instincts upon which the safely of this Nation de-
ponds in time of peace and war, the sooner lis
doors closed and the entire structure is made to
become the tenement OF owls, bats, and beetles,
the better the future of the American Republic.
that our young men, and sons and grsndsons oil
the men who gave up their lives in battle under
the flag TO the Union, may search out and
locate in other educational institutions That are
presided by men who are loyal and true To
The fundamental principles of the United States
Government, and honor the men who saved The
Nation;
RcSolUod That the foregoing preamble and reso-
lutots press the nj OF the 30 annual En-
canlpnient Of tie department of Illinois, Grand
Army Of The Republic and that a copy of IL shall
be submitted to the National Encampment al 81.
Paul, in September, 1896 for i,s consideration and
action.
| DEPARTMENT COMMANDER PowELLs LETTER.
Past Department Commander w. II. Powell,
of Illinois, has written of President Eliot as
follows:
President Eliot's description of American
patriotism, which he declares to be nothing
more nor less than European Jingoism, cxem-
pIlfied in our standing army, coast deienses, the
American navy, and the building of battle
ships; which he cbaracterizes as the chip-on-
tbe-shoulder attitude of the ruffian bully, and
National brutal savagery and despotic mill
tarism,' enforced by the Executive, Legislative,
and Judicial Departments of the United States
Government, in defense of our National liber-
ties and rights against home aud foreign foes;
which policy Eliot declares TO be despotic aris-
tocrstic, and absolutely at variance with Amer
ican patriotism.
The average American citizen con versant
wan WIS 3~iios 1hSh Oh dppIcStdtIOu VI WHdt
constitutes American patriotism, as defined by
Webster and practically demonstrated by Wash
ing ton, jackson, Lincoln, and Grant, and the
men who served under the flag TO establish and
perpetuste the American Republic, have no re-
spect for. or appreciation OF, what Eliot denomi-
mates American patriotism, under which policy
the influence of the secular and religious press,
the exhaustion of State and Nation al legislative
wisdom, the eloquence of the pulpit, and the
Divine promise of the power at the altar of
prayer, signally failed to arbitrate the great
question that forced upon US the civil strife of
lS64'65. That could not be adjusted other
than by the sword, rifles, and cannon in the
hands Of the boys in blue, vino, inspired by
love of country and devotion 10 its flag,
swered the various calls aud went forth TO
battle; the surviving veterans of which grand
heroic host now constitute the organization
known the Grand Army of the Republic,
which has become, through the logic Of events,
the custodians of the results Of the late war
for the Union, and the protectors and defend
ers of the interest Of the men who saved this
Nation, against Mr. Eliot and his satellites,
who declare that the GA. Il. does little more
than get what money it can from the Govern
ment' vicious declaration, that could be
conceived only in a traitors brain, and pro-
nounced by libeler's tongue; the animus Of
which evidences the justification of the action
of the Department of Illinois, in its annual
Encampment at Cairo, 18th ult., and should
brand Mr.. Eliot as an arch traitor to flag and
country in the estimation of all soldiers and
their friends, and true American citizens who
appreciate the sacrifice made to save the Ma
ton. Yes. Mr. Eliot. the GAR. are ever on
the alert TO counterfeit such Influences and
falsehoods as you have been promul gatiDg for
some time-and don't you forget it,"
SONS RESENT THE INSULT
At meeting of W. II. Aveson Post s. of
V, Montclair, n. J., the speech Of President
Eliot OF Harvard College was brought to the |
attention OF the brothers, aud the following |
letter was addressed to him:
W. II. Aveson Post sons of hon orably discharged
veterans of the civil war. deplore the fact That
man occupying the position OF President OF Of
America . foremost colleges should make the un-
American remark recently published in the papers
Such insult you have flung at the Grand |
Army oi the Republic was common occurrence
la the days Of GIGS, but it generally came from
south OF Mason aud Dixon's line. There were Of |
course ia those days certain NUN Der of Northern
syinpathlzers called "coppeThesds" who hurled |
insults similar 10 yours AZ the soldier boys; but,
thank God, they were scarce. IT'S seldom ia these
latter days Of the Grand Army that Il man max e. "A |
remark similar 10 yours; but once ia n while the
public Is treated to just such occurrence.
Last year Col. Maring, street cleaner of New
York, came forward with a remark derogatory TO |
President Of Harvard College comes out and star |
by s side. Some of The brs vest soldiers of tic
late war were graduates OF Harvard, many of whom
members OF the Grand Army and 10 them
your remarks are particularly unjust. We have |
come TO the conclusion. sir, that the Presidents
chair Of Harvard College Is worthy of better man
to say the least, man who is American to the last
drop OF American blood. and not one who tramples |
the American flag in the dust by finging an insult
al its defenders.
As for opinion OF you your name shall 90 |
down ia history side by side with Col Warnings
unwept. unhouored. and unsung." As for the |
o. a X. or Treasury thieves you are pleased TO
brand them, we have only the fondest pride for |
willie they were defending the flag we love where
OH where were you?
w. II. WILLIAMS
A. III. GoBLR. Detail
CHAs. JACoBUs
Pennsylvania Ladies' Aid.
n l. L . a !. :. =.