Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-10-01
Not Only Is, but Has No Right to
Take Sides, He Adds, Holding
General Grant Entirely
Blameless.
MATTER OF PERSONAL
OPINION OF OFFICERS
Grant Had Right to Wear Uniform
in Temperance Parade--ReplieS
to Heated Letter From W. R.
Michaelis.

AaeSN-NNeA
WASHINGTON, Sept. SO.-Secretary OF
War Dickinson finds nothing to criticise
in the action of General Grant in taking
part in a temperance and law enforce
ment parade in Chicago, in his uniform
US "a major general of the United Sites.
The secretary said today that as to
such movements each soldier and Off
Ger has a right to decide for himself,
and added that the army has no right to
take sides either for or against prohibi-
ION.
Secretary Dickinson's statement was in
reply to the letter from w. r. Michaelis
OF Chicago, criticising General Grants
right to appear in uniform at the head
OF a so-called temperance parade in that
city last Saturday. The reply said:
sECRETARY's REPLY.
II 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 a prohi-
bition parade In the city of Chicago.
II do not know the facts, but l have
seen Il stated that It was not prohibi-
ton parade, but a temperance and law
enforcement parade. You state that ii has
been rumored that the federal govern
ment and the army in general have ia
ken sides with the prohibition movement
II the federal government has in any way
taken part in any such movement, 1 do
not know IT. What individuals of the
army may feel about such movements I
40 not know -----f--e- r
MATTER OF PERSONAL FEELING.
Each soldier and officer of the army
has right to determine that for him
eel 10, bro h.. \
the army, as an organization, has taken
no side and will have no right to take
sides, either for or against the prohibit
ton movement.
General Grant participated in the pa
rade as an individual and not in any way
representing the army or war depart
ment.'
The secretary also received a letter
from II. c. Newton, of Chicago, secretary
OF the temperance and law enforcement
parade committee, in which General
Grants action is strongly commended.
Mr.. Newton's communication was writ
ten on a letter head of this commit
tee containing the announcement that
Gen. Frederick Dent Grant, United States
army, would be the grand marshal of
the parade for a greater Chicago-mor-
ally, as we'll as commercially"
KICK BY LIQUOR LEADER.
The letter says:
Il note in your papers today that Mr..
w. R Michaelis. a prominent leader in
a liquor Acknowledgement society I'm
this city, has sent a complaint to you
against Maj. Gen. Frederick d. Grant,
because the general saw fft to appear in
uniform while leading a great process
sion OF decent citizens protesting against
the saloon lawlessness and debauchery
s~R1 NNv- l.
of our great city.
while General Grant is abundantly
able to defend himself yet. inasmuch as
he performed this patriotic service
through my invitation, l wish to shield
him from any annoyance that might come
to him from interests which feel them
selves hurt because the 10000 boys land
5000 OF $4,000 others) who marched be-
hind General Grant, would emulate their
hero and abstain from alcoholic liquors.
A sober citizen is not regarded as
liquor sellers asset. The prospects of hav-
ing to obey law is also very distateful to
these interests.
The right of General Grant to wear
his uniform on this occasion will not
be questioned, when I inform you that
have In my possession official commu-
nications from Grand Army posts ac-
cepting our invitation to participate and
help boost the civic virtues of sobriety
and reverence for law.
NOT A PARTISAN AFFAIR.
''Mr. Michaelis states that this was
partisan AFFAIR. This is not true. I in
close documentary proof herewith. Tenn
perance men Of every party were repre-
sented with only a small minority of
party prohibitionists. The Prohibition par
ty had nothing to do with IL.
General Grant has courageously per-
formed a patriotic duty In demanding the
unconditional surrender of lawlessness and
debauchery. If the war department has
any honors which the general has not al
ready received. $1,000 sober American citi-
Gems join me in a request that you con-
fer them upon him at once"