The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1909-10-08
GRANT HAD RIGHT TO
LEAD TEMPERANCE
PARADE AT CHICAGO
RULES SECRETARY OF WAR
DICKINSON WHEN APP
PEALED TO.
DIDN'T PLEASE LIQUOR CROWD
Army officer Can Wear His Uniform
At Any Time When in The Promo
ton Of The Public serviee-Neednt
Offer Apologies.


WASHINGTON, Oct. THAT Gen
Frederick u. Grant committed no deed
deserving of a reproyal when he led
the great law enforcement and tenn
perance parade in the city of Chicago
last Saturday is the gist of a state
nent issued by Secretary Dickinson
in reply to critic of the general.
NJ NJ Michaelis OF Chicago had ad-
dressed letter to the war secretary
censuring Gen Grant for taking part
IN an anti-liquor demonstration while
attired in his uniform as a major-gen-
aral of the United States army, to
which Secretary Dickinson answered.:
81 have your letter of September
2S, 1909, in which you state that on
Saturday last, Maj Gen, Frederick D.
Grant, in uniform, marched at the
head of prohibition parade in the
city of Chicago.
Il do not know the facts, but l have
seen it stated that it was not a pro-
hibition parade. but temperance and
law-enforcement parade. You state
that it has been rumored that the fed
eral government has taken sides with
the prohibition movement If the fed.
eral government has in any way taken
part in any such movement, / do not
know it. What individual members
of the army may feel about such move
ments do not know
Each soldier and officer of the army
has right to determine that for him
self. | 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.
General Grant participated in the
parade as an individual, and not in
any way representing the army or war
department"
Mr.. Newton's communication was
written on a letterhead of this com
mittee containing the announcement
hat Gen. Frederick Dent Grant, U. S
A., would be the grand marshal of the
parade for a greater Chicago-moral
" as we'll as commercially" The let
Ter says:
81 note in our papers today that Mr.
". R. Michaelis, prominent leader II
LIQUOR and anti-law enforcement so
ciety in this city, has sent a complaint
% you against Major-General Fred
erick D. Grant because the genera
(Cran1 saw fit to appear in uniform
while leading great procession OF
decent citizens protesting against the
selc~n lawlessness and debauchery
| -,,ich for years have blackened the
name of our great city.
while General Grant is abundantly
lble to defend himself, yet inasmucf
as he performed this patriotic service
through my invitation, ! wish to shield
him from any annoyance that might
come to him from interests which fee
themselves hurt because the 10000
boys land $4,000 or 10000 others) who
marched behind General Grant would
emulate their hero and abstain from
alcoholic liquors. A sober citizen IL
not regarded as a liquor sellers asset
The prospect of having to obey law II
also very distasteful to these interests
1.-The right of General Grant to veal
his uniform on this occasion will mo-
be questioned when | inform you tha
| have in my possession official com
munications from grand army posts
accepting our invitation to participate
and help boost the civic virtues O
sobriety and reverence for law
Mr.. Michaelis states that this wa!
a partisan affair. This is not true
! enclose documentary proof herewith
Temperance men of every PARTY were
represented with only small minori
8 Of party prchibitionists. The pro
bibition party had nothing to do will
it.
General Grant has courageous!
performed a patriotic duty in demand
ing the unconditional surrender o
lawlessness and debauchery. II thu
war DEPARTMENT has any honors which
the general has not already received
$4,000 sober American citizens joll
me in a request that you confer then
upon him at once"
SWEPT OVER NIAGARA.