The Washington times., 1907-10-24
UniverSaliSt Pastor Bit
terly ASsailed in Reso-
lutiOnS Passed.
lEulogizes Man He Knew
Was Traitor, Is Charge
Made.
Nothing to Regret or Re
tract, the Rev. Mr.. Van
Schaick'S Reply.

because he spoke In praise OF General
Lee, the Rev John Van Schaick, jr.,
pastor of the Church Of our Father. has
been denounced by the Burnside Post
@. A r.. OF Washington, as unpatriotic.
IN consequence prominent members Of
the organization here are lined up
against each other.
Last night Corporal James Tanner.
past grand commander of the g. A. r,
and Chaplain COuden. OF the House,
nade a forcible fight to secure recon-
sideration of the resolutions Of de-
nunclauon which were adopted at a
meeting held October 9.
After a not and exciting debate on
the proposition. the motion to rescind
was defeated by a vote of 70 to II.
Support the Minister.
Commander Tanner made a vigorous
speech in support Of the Rev. Mr. van
Schaick, and Chaplain Couden declared
the attack would not injUre the min
lister but would hurt the post. Their
views were Just as strongly opposed By
A. :. Perham and w. II. Ragan. the
members % the committee presenting
the resolutions. The latter prevailed.
The resolutions are as follows;
"The Washington papers Of February
I8. 1907, contained the following"
"The Rev. John Van schaiCk. Jr-. OF
the Church OF Our Father, spoke at the
exercises of the Eastern High School, al
1870 o'clock yesterday afternoon. HIS
address was. In part, as follows:
% Not long ago 1 attended the celebfa-
tion Of the Tooth anniversary OF ths
birth Of Robert Z. Lee. / heard brilliant
addresses by a Senator or the Unile0
states. a Instice-of the Supreme Court.
a leader Of one Of the great parties ~
others. In the addresses was made plain
That great as were his achievements as
a general. splendid his victories on the
field of battle. the greatest thing about
Lee was his spirit. When defeat e'allle "a.
down upon him, he was man. He re-
fused TO eXpaIriate himself. he took up
life among his people and labored 10
make the Union real. strong and pc
sTbus it was with Abraham Lincoln.
His greatest gift TO his country was MS
spirit We glory in his achievements,
Ne tell again and again the story or
his rise from the soil We write IN our
histories what he did for the nation
But his permanent contribution 20 civil
lization was the life he lived and the
spirit he showed.
'It is credIbly reported that the rev.
ernnd gentleman. though eXpOsJulated
vyifh had before this declared his in
rentiun to euloEize General Lee in pub
lie. and has since asserted that tne ma
9ority of the comrades of the G. a. X
are In sympathy with his sentiments
and he has recently written 1 have no
fears that time will not set me right,
Therefore, be il resolved by Burnside
Post, Department Of the Potomac,
Grand Army OF the Republic, that We
regard such utterances as untimely, i'll
advised. and unpatriOtic. UnIimely IN
that the occasion was one TO ray
tribute TO the noblest character OF that
period Of our cCuntry's history, and not
On occasion to exploit one whom every
patriotic citizen must regard rs
traitor to his country, Ill-advised in
that our youth may not discriminate
between the private life of General Lee
ard the great crime he committed. IN
patriotic because no word of condemns-
ton was uttered against the treason of
one who was leader in the great re-
belion.
Resolved, that the sentiments ex-
dressed do not meet the approval of
Former Union soldiers and sailors.
Resolved, that Burnside Post feels
so strongly in this matter that we
earnestly hope such a prostitution Of
a patriotic ocCa sion may never again
occur in connection with any public
schools.
Resolved, that a copy OF the fore
going be sent the Rev. Mr.. Van SchaicIx
the superintendent of Public Schools
and the principal Of the Eastern Blgn
School. 'e
Van Schaick's Reply.
Upon the receipt Of a copy of these
resolutions the Rev. Mr.. Van schaiok
replied as follows.
Upon receipt Of your communication
OF October u. transmitting resolutions
adopted by you October 9. Il was my
first impulse TO give them out for pub
(Continued on Eleventh Papet