The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-23
handed m. By Gen. THONG J. Stewart.

handed me By Gen. Thongs J. Stewart.
| Adiutant- General Of the State of.pennsylvania-
I'm tho light Of these comparatively recent
pnrades. the latter In honor OF our gallant SOL
| dlers who served in the Philippines. and who
| possibly heard some OF Admiral Dewey's guns.
| / could not but feel that the Grand Army COM
rades OF New York. representatives OF the
greatest State In the Union which sent more
men than any other State to preserve the ma
| tion fiom ruin. were as richly entitled to head
| the line OF the Dewey parade as were the com
rades OF Pennsylvania to lead q similar civic
| pageant in honor OF our Spanish American
war heroes aud felt when made the plea
| that the precedent set by the State OF Penrsyl-
| yania in having the veterans lead the line.
| President Mckinley and the Governor OF the
State following was one that might BIO fol-
lowed without any loss OF dignity to those con-
| trolling the Dewey parade In New York.
THE criticism made by my beloved comrade.
Col. II. II. Adams. In reference to what he did
| and what he advised. 10 not Rermane to this
controversy in view OF the tact that he holds
no office in our G. A. r. and had no delegated
| authority to speak in it's behalf. The @. A. r.
| is an organization found ed on rules and reRu-
lations some what similar to those OF the reRu-
lar army. Every veteran becoming a member
solemnly promises to obey its rules and rogu-
lations and the orders OF its commanding
officers 1t follows that tho irresponsible
chatter OF comrades holding no oflcal position
in our order. and who cannot even remem Der
the solemn obligation they have taken to obey
their superior officers. ia not to be taken as an
expression worthy OF conside ration. Tho
mantle OF charity had better be thrown over
all this unofficial meddling.
Il wish to add that my only desire has been to
stand for the honor and dignity OF the Grand
Army. and know l shall not be blamed by
fair-mindcd and patriotic citizens for doing
my duty In this respect as understand 1t. 1t
gives me the greatest pleasure to extend to
Gov Theodore Roosevelt, as the commander
in chief OF 35o.000 veterans Of the G.. A. r.. my
warm congratulations on the Just and patriotic
stand he has taken In behalf OF the ageing vet
Grams OF the nation In using his influence to
have their Just request granted that they lead
the parade In the city Of New York In 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 pub
lie procession.
Il make this statement reRretfully but feel
constrained to do II both In justice to the Grand
Army and to our late veterans. I would have
been proud to lead the head OF the limo. as was
done by comrade in the Philadelphia parade
and In the prior one at Chicago. for l believe
the New York Volunteers OF 1881 to 1865 were
the peers OF any volunteers that ever stood
forth for the nation.
As Commander Kay says in his letter to Gen.
Roe. to which letter have already referred:
In their own time and in their own way the
Grand Army OF tho Republic as representatives
OF the veterans Of the Civil War. will render
the homage that they feel for their comrade
and great Admiral, George Dewey
Governor Roosevelt has said The heart Of
man. inspired on the battlefield never loses
it's love for heroes tried In the furnace OF war;"