Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-30
GRANT DID NO WRONG
Participated as Individual in
Temperance Parade.
REPLY MADE BY DICKINSON
War Department Not on Side Of
Prohibition, He Says.
DEMONSTRATION UNPARTISAN
n. c. Newton Defends Course Of
Army officer, and Asks That He
Be Further Honored.

Secretary Dickinson has informed w.
r. Michaelis of Chicago that the army as
an organization has taken no side either
for or against the prohibition movement.
The statement forecasted In yesterday 8
Star was made in reply to letter le-
ceived from Mr.. Michaelis this morning
criticising the action Of al. Gen. Fred
D. Grant. commanding the Department of
the Lakes. for appearing in full uniform
at the head of a so-callcd prohibition pa
rade in Chicago last Saturday. Mr..
Michaelis' letter was published in yes
terday's Star.
Secretary Dickinson's Reply.
In his reply, dated today, Secretary
Dickinson says:
Sir: I have your letter OF September
2S. 1909 In which you state that on Sat
urday last Maj. Gen. Frederick u. Grant,
in uniform. marched at the head Of pro-
hibition parade in the city of Chicago.
Il do not know the facts. but l have
seen it stated that it was not prohibi-
ton parade. but a temperance and law
enforcement parade.
You state that 1t has been rumored
that the federal government and the
army in general have taken sides with
the prohibition movement. If the federal
SoNeIUHleHI mas III any way taken part
In any such movement l do not know it.
What individual members of the army
may feel about such movements do not
know. Each soldier and officer of the
army has right to determine that for
himself.
81 do know, however. and state that
the army as an organization has taken no
side and will have no right to take sides
either for or against the prohibition
movement.
It.
rade as an individual and not as in any
way representing the army or the War
Department"
Comes to Grants Defense.
| Secretary Dickinson has received let
ter on the general subject from H. C
Newton. secretary of the temperance an,
! law enforcement parade committee, datet
Chicago, September g. in which he says
Il note in our papers today that Mr.
w. r.. Michaelis. prominent leader In {
liquor and anti-law enforcement society II
this city. has sent complaint to yol
! against Maj. Gen. Frederick D. Grant be
cause the general saw fit to appear ir
uniform while leading a great procession
Of decent citizens protesting against the
saloon lawlessness and debauchery which
for years have blackened the name of oul
great city.
defend himself Of any defense is neaded)
yet inasmuch as he performed this pa
| triotfc service through my invitation.
wish to shield him from any annoyance
| that might come to him from interests
which feel themselves hurt because the
10000 boys and $1,000 or 10000 others
| who marched behind Gen. Grant will EMU
late their hero and abstain from alco.
holic liquors.
"A sober citizen Is not regarded as q
| liquor sellers asset. The prospects Of
having to obey law are also very distaste
full to these interests.
''rhe right of Gen. Grant to wear his
uniform on this occasion will not be ques
| toned when l inform you that l have ir
from Grand Army posts. including the
| George H. Thomas Post of COS members
| accepting our invitations to participate
and help boost the civic virtues of sobri
| ETY. and reverence for law.
"Mr. Michaelis states that this was g
partisan affair. That is not true. 1 in
| close documentary proof. Temperance
men of every party were represented, will
only a small minority of party prohibi
tionists The prohibition party had moth
ing to do with it.
Gen. Grant has courageously perform
ed patriotic duty in demanding the un
conditional surrender of lawlessneSS anC
any hOnOrs which the general has not al
ready received. $1,000 sober American
citizens Join me In a request that you con
fer them upon him at once
Mr.. NeWton's letter bore a caption il
part as follows:
For Greater Chicago-Morally as vel
as Commercially. Great Temperance ant
Law Enforcement Parade. Saturday Aft
! ernoon, September %. 1909 Grand Mar
! shall, Gen. Frederick Dent Grant, L. s. A.