The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-21
G. A. n. DECLINES TO PARADE
The Veterans object to a Position Near
the End of the Line.


the End of tho Line.
This letter was sent last evening to Major
Gen. Charles +. Roe. Chairman OF tho Dewey
Land Parade Committee. by Commander
Joseph W. Kay OF tho New York State Depart
ment. q. A. H.:
SIR AND CoMRADE: Your lotter addressed to
me as Department Commander; Grand Army
OF the iispu1iis Of fatq oi me l3thinst:. reach
T2 ~ ~ Ad' sn and
Committee. Dewey Parade. to extend cordial
invitation TO the Grand Army OF the Republic.
preciated
this State my FIRST thought was. waving al
minor questions. to recommend to the Grand
Army Posts that they parade. And some action
mand-r-in- Chief OF the Graal Army OF the
tho same in tho several horourhs which com
prise the Greater New York, representing in
Their memorial IM ami executive copmiueees
your letter 70 ms am constrained to inform
you that he place, you intend to assign
they could be expected to- accept. In all Of our
history from the War Of, Independence to the
present day. those who have fought the battles
oIo rcountry have been coa' picuously honored
alrrsnEements and details regarding the POSI-
ton in line Of tho Grand Army. and the com
mnnd OF the same, were perfected by you
without consultntion with the ,eonstitpted
who IN courtesy should be communicated with
beforehand.
Our great order. having more than 100000
SURVIVORS OF tho Civil War. il fully representa-
tive OF the great armies and navy Of the Union
they preserved b" nation which they made
rily military one. Nothing would more closely
touch the hearts Of the people than to soc its
war veterans. particularly tho sariors OF the
nation. recognized by placing them in tho
front rank.
As the suggestions made you in connection
with the Dewey Parade by the Com NJ an der-in-
Chief regarding the rositon In line OF The
Grand Army Of the Republic. on that OCCASION
accept the invitation you were authorized to
e1trn" The members OF the Grand Army Of
q q. y w on saT
until O'Clock in tho afternoon. The position
assigned the representatives Of the Grand
Army renders II Impossible Tor them to move
column has started. 1t is very unlikely that
night fall. And ii Is certain That their nhysi-
cal CONDITION should not be exposed to this
sRR les. weak Fhe as 9sy. {:
Tor position as special civic guard OF honor
at the head Of the column having been refused
10y you. both in whole aud in part. there re-
mans nothing to be done by me but to decline
the INVITATION.
=, In he r own time and in their own way. the
Grand Army OF the Republic. as the reprrsen-
t rsT Of The veterans Of the Ctvsl War, will
ReErstting very much that your arrange
ments will not permit us to share with YOU in
the tri butte OF our great city to one Of the
nations glorious sons. in tho Dewey land
parade on the Both inst. l am. very. truly
and fraternally yours. JOS " KAY.
department Commander New York, Grand
Army Of the Republic.
Cen Roe was out OF town last evening when
the letter from Commander Kay wan made
public. When the question OF admitting tho
Grand Army men to the parade came up sew
eral weeks ago Gen. Roe assigned them TO n
division near the end Of the line on tho Crouad
that they were compelled by age TO march
slowly and in addition would carry no arms
4 member Of tho Committee OH the Land
Parade, who would not ALLOW his name to
the only reasons why the q. A.. R.
near the rear. He said that tn. G. A. r. men
had accepted tho situation ns It then stood and
they suggested that stand DO erected for
them nonr seventy second street and Central
Park West in order that they might fall In line
nj that point II was found i'm possible 70 erect
stand as there was no money available for
tho purpose. This member further said that
he was confident that any differences between
the committee and the Grand Army m en- would
be amicahly and satisfactorily settled In Wow
ot the nearnass OF tho cole hration and in view
OF the enthusiasm which tho q. A. r. men had
shown in their desire to parade in honor OF
Admiral Dewey.
At "a meeting OF tho Brooklyn War Veterans
and Sons Association last night a vote to oon-
dsmn the placing OF the Grand Army division
at the rear and OF the appointment OF Gen. O.
y. Howard as Its commander was passed.