The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-03-05
Yours, hopefully,
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE.
"BLUE-AND-GRAY" FOR BUSINESS.


"BLUE-AND-GRAY" FOR BUSINESS.
When a New York City man makes
break in any direction it is always
safest to look around sharply to find out
the money inducement that probably
impelled him. One does not usually
have to look long or far.
For some weeks the New York papers
have been exploiting at considerable
space mammoth "Blue- and-G Gray y
demonstration, to take place in that
City July a, in which thousands OF
GAR. men, in full uniform, would
parade up Broadway with thousands of
ex-rebel soldiers in the gray uniform of
the Lost Cause. The Commander-in-
Chief of the Grand Army of the Re-
public was to conduct one flank of this
delectable show, the Commander-in-
Chief of the Confederate Veterans the
other flank, and harmony" fra
ternity," mutual respect and esteem y
and other sweet things were to be on
every hand in large, cloying gobs.
Enough concession was made to GAR.
feelings TO admit that only one kind of
flag should be displayed, but this was
felt to be a concession that we ought to
be very grateful for
1t is pleasant TO be able to announce
that the whole scheme Las collapsed.
Commander-in-Chief Walker, when APP
preached on the matter ran sharp pin
into the balloon with the quiet state
ment:
We cannot, as an organization, join in
any public demonstration and march with
those who fought against the Union clothed
III the uniform of cause that was shot to
death by the Grand Army of the Republic 80
years ago. 1t is intended, it is said, that
there shall be but one flag, and that of the
United States, in the parade. Why not re-
quire the same as 10 uniform? The sooner
those who wore the gray shall cease trying TO
symbolic the Lost Cause by flag or uni
form, and shall refrain from representing
themselves rs distinct part of the people,
the sooner will full realization of patriotism
and fraternity be brought about"
Upon this Gen. Roger A. Pryor, late
Of the G. S. A., who is leader in the
large Southern Colony" at New York,
and Supreme Court Judge, called the
scheme /" off" in the following words:
Gen. Walker seems not to speak for
himself alone, but for representatives of the
whole organization of the Grand Army of
the Republic. The expression from Gen.
Walker should in itself make the proposed
parade undesirable. The idea was. rs I
understand it, 10 fraternize with the Grand
Army OF the Republic, and TO bring about an
increased friendly feeling As Gen. Walker
his organization, think it would be wise TO
give up the idea Of the parade, as it is not
desirable TO do anything that might cause
friction or any sort OF unfriendly feeling"
Now for the monetary inspiration of
all this: The Southern trade is becom-
ing much more important yearly, and so
is the competition for it becoming much
sharper between Chicago and New York.
Last year Chicago, noting the success
with which Richmond has been working
the Confederate racket" as against her
rival, Baltimore, thought she would
try grand pass herself in that direc-
ton. The result was the monument
to the rebel dead who died at Camp
Douglas, and the fanfarronade with
which it was dedicated. 1t looked at
the time as if it were a trump card to
play for " Southern business" and New
York watched with green and yellow
glare in her eyes. The Confederate
monument at New York and proposed
monster Reunion of the Blue and Gray
were her answer to it
1t is tiresome.