The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-01
CHIEF DEFENDS
 GEN. GRANT Secretary of War Will
 Not Criticise. DICKINSON WRITES A LETTER Says Grant Led Parade as an
 Individual. His Partieipatien In Law and Ordes Demesstratiea Does Net Prsai- cate Governments Positsen
 of Neutrality.
DICKINSON WRITES A LETTER

Washington. Sept. 30.-Secretary Dickinson finds nothing to critictse in the action of General Grant in taking part in a temperance and law enforce ment parade in Chicago. in his uni- form as a --.Ajor-generai of the United States. Tks Secretary said today that as to such movements each soldier and officer has a right to decide for him- self.
 Secretary Dickinson's, statement was in reply to the letter from w. R.. Michaelis of Chicago, criticising Gem eral Grants right to appear in uniform at the head of a so-called temperance parade in that city last Saturday. The reply sad.
 T have your letter of Sept. 2s, 1909. in which you state that on Saturday last Major General Frederick D. Grant. in uniform. marched at the head of Q prohibition parade in the city of Chi- cago.
 T do not know the facts. but have seen 1t stated that 1t was not prohibi-
 ton parade. but a temperance and law enforcement parade. You state that
 1t has been Tamored that the Federal
 Government and the army In general
 have taken sides with the prohibftion movement. If the Federal Government has in any way taken part in any such movement, don't know 1t. What in-
 dividuals of the army may feel about such movements do not know. "Each soldier and ofiicer of the army has a right to determine that for him.
 self. I do not know. however. ana | state that the army. as an organiza- | ton. has taken no side and will have no right to take sides. either for or against the prohibition movement. Tn Pnrade as Individuals.
 general Grant participated in the parade az an individual and not in any
 way representing the army or War Department" 1 The Secretary also received letter from H 0, Newton of Chicago. secre- tary of the Temperance and Law Er forcemeut Parade Committee. in whi General Grants action Is strongly co;
 mended.
 l MT Newton's communication written on a 1etter-head of this COT
 mittee containing the announceme that Gen. frederick Dent Grant. U. | O., would be the general marshal O the parade flor greater Chicago morally as well as commercialiy.' | The letter says.
 q note in your papers today that Mir. w. R. Michaelis, n prominent leader in a liquor and anti-law-enforce- ment society in this city. has sent .
 complaint to you against Major-0en-
 eral Frederick D. Grant because the General (Grant) saw fit to appear Tn uniform while leading a great process s,on of decent citizens protesting against the saloon, lawlessness and de-
 hsuchery. which, for years have black ened the name of our great city.
 would Save Grant Annoyance.
 while General Grant Is abundantiy t,a. tSt o q m as he performed this patriotic service through my invitation. wish to shield him from any annoyance that might come to him from interests which feel themselyes hurt because the 10000 boys Mnd 250oo or 30,0oo others) who marched behind General Grant would emulate their hero and abstain rom alcoholic liquors. sober citizen is | not regarded as a liquor sellers asset. The prospects of having to obey law Ia also very distastefuI to these inter ests
 h,. nniform on this occasion will not he luestioned when I inform you thnt | hkye in my possession omciai com- munications from Grand Army posts | accentinp our invitation to participate ana beIn boost the civic virtues of so- hrietv and reverence for law. "Nfr NIchaelis states that this was Q | .oa rtisan' affair This Is not true. |
 enclose documentary proof herewith.
 Temperance men of every party were
 renresented, with only a small minority
 of party prohibitionists. The prohibi- ton party had nothing to do with It. "General Grant has courageoueiy per- formed a patriotic duty in demanding 1 ,be unconditional surrender of lawless- ness and debaGchery. If the war De- nartment has any honors which tho general has not already received. 5e.000 sober American citizens join me in
 request that you confer them upon ta