The Washington times., 1906-02-05

If anybody thinks am going 70
use the Office OF commRnder-in-chief Of
the Grand Army OF the Republic for the
purpose Of promoting and continuing III
feeling between the sections of this
country. or to delay the advent of per-
feet harmony, he is most damnably mis-
taken. And he can put that in his
pipe and smoke it
Corp. James Tanner made this state
inent TO q reporter OF Tie Times this
morning, when shown a resolution
passed by Sheridan Post. No. Il, q. a.
II. condemning his purpose to appear
at the memorial services in honor OF
Gen. Joseph Wheeler which are 10 be
neld In Atlanta.
Some Are Fighting Still
7 have no patience with the men who
are still fighting. In my opinion those
who took advantage OF every oppor-
tuuity 10 night that was offered in the
civil war got enough then
Il have small regard for the mental
equipment, the memory and the power
or appreciation OF those who fail 10 un-
dcrsJAnd that Joe Wheeler. without re-
gard 10 his course tOrty-five years ago.
mas done much to earn the gratitude OF
his countrymen- Before the war with
Spain, when there was a possibility that
ti4AE G04LAA1 M0AtA NENQ4AE aaakNlNEQ Al
more important struggle than that,
Joe Wheeler announced ms services were
al the disposal Of the War Department.
And when he was reminded that, as the
law then stood, no former COnfeder e
could hold a commission in the army, +,
his reply was: There viii be plenty OF
room In the ranks.
There j. no doubt in my mind he
meant what he said-that he was per
fectly and absolutely sincere. il l had
him while I nUhTfnu
Sfould have shot at him as cheerfuliy as
l Lid at any other Johnny, bur that
does not blind my eyes 10 his worth. If
the memorial service is held in Atlanta
and my engagements permit, / am going
10 attend. Those who don't like 81 viii
have TO do The other thing.
Believes in Harmony.
when my name was proposed as
cOmmander-in-chief, before the Denver
encampment, l told my friends how
stood on this subject. The comrades at
that encampment understood perfectly
tAeF must take me, II at all, as / was
and as / had always been. l told them
then that II my office would ever per-
init me 10 speak with greater influence
aid authority, on any subject or in any
way that would tend TO heal The differ
,sDces of war and make this country me
united and glorious nation destiny has
declared it shall be, ! would feel a
=
That's where / stand, concluded
Corporal Tanner. Everybody who
knows the man knows he means every
The resolutions of Sheridan Post
were passed at its meeting Friday
night. They We're offered by Past Com
nander MckelVey, and seem to have
peen adopted without dissent.
That is not all. At the encampment
OF the Department of the Potomac that
VIII be held tonight further resolu-
tiOns will be offered on the same sub
iect and sloug the same line. II is
not likely that action upon them will
BE- taken until a future meeting, the
resolutions in the meantime being re-
ft- red to the committee on resolutions.
at such resi- 'utiors were in contem-
plation was sai1 this morning by Capt.
Nathan Bickforti. chairman of the COM
M tee on resolutions.
The Grand Army, as an organiza-
tion. has always declined to unite with
organizations. or to act
with them.'' said Captain Bickford.
This Is not because we have any in
dividual hostility % anirnosity to the
Confederate soldier As a matter of
fact. we have for him none but the
kindest feeling. and | number many
ex-Confederates among my best friends.