The times., 1899-03-11
MIR. DYRENFoRTH's SIDE.
The Union Veterans Union Com
mander Denies Making Threats.

AT meeting of the D. d. Porter Com
mand of the Union Veterans Union held
February q, a resolution was adopted en-
dorsing the words of the President to the
people of the South relative to caring for
the graves of the Confederate dead 1t
is said that Commander Dyrenforth of the
Union Veterans Union, heard of the ac
tion of the command and severely repri-
mand5d it.
He is also said to have threatened to ex-
pei the Porter Command from the Union
if the resolutions were given publicity.
The members of the command heard this
rumor and Thursday night gave out the
resolution in defiance OF the Commander.
When seen yesterday regarding the mat
ter, Commander Dyrenforth said:
Il never threatened TO expel from this
organization, to quote the language of the
newspapers, any command which en-
dorsed the sentiments OF the President
| entirely lose sight OF individuals or Off
clals. and keep in view the principles Of
our order, only. This is the first that
. have learned Of any so-called defiance
and | very much doubt it. Porter Com
mand is very small body, only dozen or
| so. l think; but most of them are, 1 am
| sure, men who would scarcely be inclined
| to defy their Commander-in-C Chief, or any
| other of their superior officers. The article,
| however. indicates to my mind msun
| derstanding OF the position OF the Union
| Veterans Union.
None of us have had anything 10 say on
| the mere subject of caring for the graves,
and the President has not been discussed.
| Personally, so far as know, am on per-
!, fectly good terms with the President. The
| point is, however. that. as Union soldiers.
we do not desire that any sentiment shall
| be initiated and allowed to prevail which
will tend to gloss over the great crime of
rebellion against this the most beneficent
Government on earth. and the attempt to
! destroy our country, and to obliterate the
great distinction which should never cease
TO be vividIy before all good people of the
difference between those who stood up to
save the country and the lawbreakers who
tried to destroy it.
Amy attempt to make the old rebel
cause a mere virtuous mistake because of
a recent scrap with mOribund Spain would
be absurd. That good citizens of the
Southern States now join with the rest of
their countrym"h in fighting a foreign foe,
as is, Of couI- perfectly natural. has
nothing to do with the old rebel cause.
There is law on the statute book to the
effect that the Union soldier shall be pre-
ferred in all matters of Government APP
pointmentS. and we propose that this shall
be literally carried into effect. We have nc
animosity toward the late respected: but
we do not intend that he shall supplant
us, and we are not Just ready to apologize
yet for our work from 1861 to 1865. The
two statements of objects of the Union
Veterans Union are as follows:
First To preserve and pcrpetuate, with firm
ness, but without animo-iry the principles of the
war for the preservation Of the Union, contend
ed for many battctiedS
Fourth-To support the election to positions o
public trist ot the friend Of the Union soldier
irrespective OF politics or creed, and vigorously
To antJsouiLe every who is iumicIl ever
merely indifferent to his interests.
In conclusion. l want to say that the
question with me. now would not be any
resolution regarding the President which
the command might or might not pass;
but. in the first place. every comrade has
taken an oath that he will not. without
proper authority, divulge anything that
transpired at a meeting of the command
in the second place, if there is any actor
against the policy of the order. a few mer
could scarcely prevail against some 10000
and in the third place, if there has beer
any resolution of defiance of me the rule!
of the order provide adequate remedy"