The herald., 1896-02-25
Relative to the American Com.
mander's Removal
SUCCESS OF THE MOVEMENT
demands Application Of the "No Third
Term" Rule
Field Commander Eva Booth Has Been Placed
In Command Of Salvation Army
Affairs In America

Associated Press Special Wire.
NEW YORK, Feb 24.-Bramwell Booth
on February 18th mailed a long letter to
Chauncsy M. Depew, in reply to Mr.. De-
pew's letter of protest as chairman Of a
mass meeting held in New York against
the removal of Commander and Mrs. Bal
lington Booth. The letter is as follows:
February B, 1896.
Dear Sir:-I have to acknowledge the re-
ceipt of the letter of the Sd Of February,
signed by yourself and other gentlemen,
and addressed to General Booth. Inas-
much az considerable delay must needs
eccur before the general can reply by let
ter to yours, owing to his absence in the
east, and seeing have already obtained
from the general, to whom have cabled
IN epitome of the resolutions which are
embodied In yours, telegraphic instructions
As to his views on the matter generally, it
seems to me it would only be courteous
that sh ould endeavor at once to explain
them n his behalf so far as am able to
do so.
~ shall, of course, refrain from obser-
Vations which, think, the general might
prefer himself to make, in view of his per.
sonal acquaintance with the gentleman
signing the letter to him and will contine
principles tnat are at the base of his decis-
ion to change the commanding officers of
the army in the United States. And / de-
sire, first of all. to point out that this
change is In entire harmony with the sys-
tenn and practice of the army since it's in
auguration. Indeed, but for the operation
of this rule of periodical removal from one
command to another, Commander and
Mrs. Ballington Booth would not have been
appointed to the United States. I dwell
upon this fact because see evidence both
In your memorial before me and in the
comments of section of the American
press OF supposition that in some way or
other the treatment of the present case is
exceptional.
think you will admit that the large
measure of success which has been at
tanned by the army is in itself proof that
the anticipations OF disaster very similar
in character to those you seem to enter
tain. which have nearly always found ex-
precision when our successful commanders
were removed, were groundless. These
removals have always been made, they
have always been deprecated and often
vigorously opposed, but think you will
acknowledge that the mere existence of
the army today in greater strength than
ever, Is striking proof that they were
necessary to the recognition of it's divine
commission to go into all the world and to
disciple all nations.
But why such conditions? Not only for
the sake OF the direct advantages-th
positive good-which in the United States
and in other countries that we have already
gained, but in order to secure the utmost
devotion to the principles which the army
has been raised up to enforce. and to
avoid any such exclusive confidence ia. or
attachment to individuals as your memo
Iials convey. 1t is, I believe am safe in
saying, much the same condition as has
led an overwhelming majority of your
arafaCn1Qn tn nhioNt tn third IN, and n
do So even when the alternative was ad-
mittedly selection largely deprived of
the distinguished gifts belonging to the
president for whom third term has been
proposed.
And the general feels himself all the
more bound to this principle and to its
equal application in a case where members
OF his own family are involved. 1t would
be gravely and Immediately destructive to
confidence in the whole administration of
the army II II could appear as though to be
his son privileged any man, on that ac-
count, to obtain for himself more agree
able position or a greater popularity than
others no less devoted or experienced could
attain. Expediency as we'll as universal
justice demands that it should be made i'm
possible to doubt the impartiality of the
general in these great appointments.
But there is one respect especially IN
which venture to think your memorials
reveal a danger which General Booth cam
not but regard with sincere regret. He
would naturally be the last to depreciate
army and to the kingdom of Christ, and he
has always rejoiced in any evidence Com.
mander and Mrs. Ballington Booth have
shown of their appreciation of America and
Americans.
But after all they are only Americans by
adoption. and the general during his recent
months of travel in your country had
abundant opportunity of seeing what has
been accomplished among your people by
the self-sacrifce and toll of officers of the
army, many of them American born, and
otheres OF them laboring in the country
for years before the present leaders were
appointed. It would, | am confident, be
exceedingly distasteful to him to find an
effort for the exaltation of his son and
daughter based on any want of apprecia-
ton and esteem of the devoted and unself
ish men and women who have served under
them. and whose toll they should be first
to admit has so largely ministered to their
success. trust that it is not necessary to
assure you that we are all intensely awake
to the Importance to the whole world of the
success OF the army in America. We al.
ways look forward with confidence to the
time when your great country, fully in.
formed of and impressed with our world
wide mission, ehall furnish no small quota
OF both men and women for the vaster con-
quests that still await our Lord and Master
III ltO OoStSIA WOLus
To you as we'll as to the others who
value the work of the army, would say
that the success of the work in the past.
both in the United States and other lands
is In itself your highest ground for conf
dence that General Booth will receive the
divine blessing of his leadership in the fu-
ture.
To you, sir, therefore, and to the gentle
men whose names follows yours in the
letter before me, influential in commercial
and scc al as we'll as in religious society,
knew that the general will look to act in
accordance with those very kind express
sions of confidence in and sympathy with
him, which were so frequent during his
last visit to the states, and which again
lind expression in the letter referred to.
am, sir, yo,,rs faithfully.
W. BIAMwEIL BOOTH,
Chief of Staff.
lion. Chuancey M. Depew, New York City.
Notice was posted at Salvation army
headquarters todav.ln the form Of tele-
gram from London,as follows: "Field-Com-
inander Eva Bo, ,.u has been placed in
charge OF tile affairs of America, and all
oncers must report TO her for the pres