New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-09-23
THE g.. A. r. WON'T MARCH,
MMANDER-IN-CHIEF SHAW TELLS
WHY HE THINKS HE'S RIGHT.

Colonel Albert D. Shaw. commander-in-chief q,
the Grand Army issued an address yesterday ex-
planning why he demanded first place for the
veterans. and rciteratlng the determination Of the
posts to take no part AT all in the Dewey parade
Here II is.
TO the Public: ! desire 10 submit the foregoing
statement Of facts I'm justification Of requests made
to Major-Gcncral Roe that the veterans be allowed
10 have the right of line in the Dewey parade The
reasons given in the letter from Department Com
mandcr Kay and presented in person 20 General
Roc embodied the views personally and strongly
pressed upon him. and which should command the
place for the comrades In tho Inc in question:
refer to that letter for fuller expression than
can reasonably ask space for I'm statement
made this request following the prccedents Of TWO
states First. in Chicago at the Jubilee parade the
veterans we're accorded the right of line and
marched ahead Of all armed troops. second. on
the return of the 10Th Regiment Pennsylvania vol
untecrs from tho Philippine Islands the Grand
Army Of the Republic had the right OF line in Phs-
dolphia. followed bv the President and Governor
and their STATS. then the National Guard and the
/ 10th Regiment. After passing over half tho route
/ the Grand Army haltel formed line. dressed back
10 tho curb and the whole line marched by. This
statement of fact handed me by General
Thomas J. Stewart. Adiutant-General Of the state
OF Pennsylvania.
I'm tho light ~ these comparatively recent
parados the latter in honor ~ our gallant soldiers
who served I'm the Philippines. and who possibly
heard some of Admirals Dewey's guns. ! could NOT
but feel that the Grand Army comrades of New
York representatives. Of tho greatest state in the
Union which sent more men than any other state
~ preserve the Nation from ruin. were as richly
entitled 10 head the line Of the Dewey parade as
were the comrades ~ Pennsylvania 10 lead SIM
liar civic pageant in honor Of our Spansh-Amo
ican War heroes: and felt when made tho plea
that tho precedent set by the State of Pennsyl-
4 4 .fr line prfG
den, Mckinley and the Governor Of the State fol-
lowing. was one that might be followed without
any loss of dignity to those controlling the Dewey
parade I'm NcwYork
The criticism made by my beloved comrade,
Colonel II. II Adams. in reference 20 what ne did
and what he advised IS nor germane to this con-
trovcrsv i'm view OF the fact that he holds no ohce
i'm our Grand Army of the Republic. and had no
delegated authority to speak I'm its behalf The
Grand Army Of the Republic IS am orgamzatlon
founded ON rules and regulations somewhat similar
to those of the Regular Army EVery Er'etan ' ~, a.,
coming p member sOlemnlN promises 10 oDey l'9
rules and regulations and the orders OF us com
maudng officers II ioil0"s tnal ~ rlt IN
chatter Of comrades holding no Official position IN
our order. and who cannot even remember ne
solemn obligation they have taken to obey their
superior officers. is not 10 be laNen aS an ssNpIor
itv had better be thrown over an this unofficial
INK To add that my only desire has been 10
stand for the honor and dignity OF the Grand
Army and I know shall NOT bee blamed by fair-
q D. q d
Ills respect as understand 10. II gives me the
greatest pleasure TO extend 10 Governor Theodore
Tno-rvoif AS the comma nder -in-chcf Of BOZ
Veterans of the Grand Army Of the Republic. my
warm CONGRATULATIONS on the just and patriotic sta "a
he has fken I'm behalf Of tho aging veterans Of the
nation i'm using his influence 10 have their JUS
rcqucst granted. that they lead the parade in the
citv Of New York I'm honor Of the great Admiral
Dewey. thus assuring to our newest veterans that
when they grow old in their turn they shall NOT be
the tail of any public procession.
I make this statement resretfu1y. but feel con;
strained to DO it, both in justice 70 the Grand
Army and to our later veterans would have
been proud 10 lead the head Of the line. as was
done by a comrade in the Philadelphia parade and
in The prior one at Chicago. for believe The New,
York volunteers Of 1851 10 1850 were the peers or
any volunteers that ever stood forth for the Na-
tn
Roe 10 which have already referred In their
own time and I'm their way the Grand Army
of tho Republic representatives Of the veterans
Of the civil War. win render the homage that they
feel for their comrade and great Admiral. George
Dewey.
Governor Roosevelt has said. THE heart OF a
man inspired on the battlefield never loses It's love
for heroes tried i'm the furnace Of var.