The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-07
THE MATTER EXPLAINED
nov THE BLtE AND CRAY PARADE
VAS FIRST THOUGHT or.
Mr.. a. g. Dickinson, Of New York. writes
an Explanatory Letter To Commander
Sorthen of Pickett Camp.


Pickett Camp has received the following
communication from Mr. \. G.. Dickinson
Of New York. explaining the manner IN
which the question OF Joint parade OF
the Blue and the Gray in New York was
first brought about:
ORIGIN OF THE IDEA.
New York. March .. 1885,
Commander \. y. Northen George f..
Pickett Camp. G. V. 1901 west Cary
street Richmond, Va:
] received your letter OF February 2'tn'
enclosing a clipping from one or your 'ily
newspapers. In answer TO your TWO
qucstiOns-if Il was fact that Comnah-
der-in-Chicf Walkers opposition % the
parade OF the Blue and the Gray Woulu
put an end to tho proposed demonstra-
ton, and who pro posed this Joint paraae
viii answer in as few words as possible
Although my explanations nave p,'h
made quite fully TO the press OF tui7
city. but ! presume YOU do not see our
northern papers. The joint parade vas
proposed by Mr.. Charles \. Dana o. the
New York Sun, and after conference
with Colonel j. j. Garnet ana myself
letters were addressed 10 our leading
citizens requesting them TO meet ~ our
city Han. and II they were favoranle 10
the movement there TO make an express
sion Of their opinions upon this slD,e,''
4 large and enthusiastic meeting was
the result. Tho call for this meeting was
made by six men. who were considef'n
representative citizens Of New N)-k-
viz: Hon. William l.. Strong, Mayor OF
the city. Hon. Chaunccy NJ. Depew' non.
Charles A. Dana, General ". ]. Nc
Mahon. Colonel J j. Ganett and colonel
A. G.. Dickinson. From those present an
executive committee was formed Of fity
of our most respectable and esteemed
citizens and from that committce a com
mittco of five was taken on plan and
scope. through which committee all tu-
ture arrangements were to De- made.
LETTERS OK TIE SUBJEC'.
As one OF the members Of tina. commit
tee. Z moved that Mr.. Charles \. Dana,
the chairman OF the Executive Comirit-
tee. should be requested 20 address le,-
ters 10 the Commander-in-Cli-f or TIE
Grand Army OF the Republic ami the
Conmander-in-Chicf of the United Con-
Tolerate Veterans. and If bOtl az fhc'e
organizations were favorable 20 the move
utnt. the Committee on Plan ard Scope
would proceed with the organization, pro-
Niding ways and mca1s. etc. General
Walkers reply 20 Chairman Dana's let
ter was not favorable. as you nave seen;
therefore. tho matter is at a stanlstill.
and my personal opinion is that il viii
20 mo- farther. The movement was strict
ly northern one. made by the most i'm
hucntial citizens of New York, and the
matter now rests between ;n5ai and the
Grand Army of the Republic. Up % tnis
moment the United Confederate Vet
Grams have neither been invited or con-
suited upon The subject. ] cannot go any
farther into details. but II may become
necessary 10 write n letter for genera,
circulation. giving fully an the facts con-
nected with the movement. but / am NOT
inclined TO make any personal comments
upon the action OF General Walker the
COmmander-in-Chief Of the Grand Army
OF the Republic. You are at liberty 10
furnish this statement 10 the press Of
your city. Yours very truly.
4. g.. DICKINSON.
Commander Northen states that De has
no comment 20 make unon this letter be-
fore IL is submitted to Pickett Camp.