New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-21

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: May you not find space in your col
umns for an apparently forgotten episode in
the history of this city? OF part Of it the
writer was an eyewitness.
On March II, 1871, the usual parade was
had in honor Of st. Patrick. IL was an espe-
caly fine one, viewed by many people and
completed without any objection or disturb
ance by any The Mayor, A. Oakley Hail.
reviewed II, wearing a green coat in honor of
the occasion.
Early in July Of the same year the Orange
mems Society in this city applied for po-
lice permit to hold a similar parade on July
| -. The formal permit was granted. Objec-
tion to such a parade was made by some of
the very men who had had the opportunity of
themselves parading on March II. On July
/ II the evening papers published a proclama-
tion by Mayor Hail. II stated that there was
great opposition TO allowing the Orangemen's
Society TO parade; that he apprehended that
| if it did there would be serious disturbances
and breach Of the peace. Therefore, he an
nounced that the permit was cancelled and
| the 0rangemen forbidden to parade. On
that evening many American citizens in this
city went to their beds Inundated beyond ex-
preston.
The papers next morning announced a
great change in the situation. The Governor
at the time was John r. Hoffman, in the
/ third generation, | think, of native born, but
with the old Holland spirit which had gone
through the great tussle with Spain, and for
time had swept the seas, strong within him.
| He also issued proclamation, which recited
/ that the persons who asked to parade were
peaceful citizens, who were expecting merely
to do what all other peaceful citizens were
entitled to do; that they had complied with
the law by obtaining the police permit which
was required; that under those circum-
stances to deny them the privilege of parad-
ing because other persons in the community
did not like to have them do so was intolera-
bic He therefore announced that they
should have sufficient police protection for
their peaceful and orderly PARADE that if
the police could not secure them that much
the full military powers Of the state would
do 80, and he ordered the entire LIST Brigade
to assemble in their armories at 9 a. m, their
lice force.
This a particularly laudabe act of
John T. Hoffman. He Democrat in high
standing with his party in city and state,
had come well to the front, his administra-
tion as Governor had been creditable and he
was talked of as "favorite son" at the com
ing Presidential convention of 1872 He knew
perfectly well that his proclamation would
end such ambition for him for all time, but
he was an American citizen first of all and
his Dutch blood was UP. His proclamation
was like a strong wind sweeping away all
clouds. The writer, who had served his term
two years before, fearing that in the summer
time many men might be too far away for
such sudden call, hunted up his old uni
form and equipment and hurried TO the
mory of his old regiment, 10 find there many
other men no longer on the active list, some
of them veterans of the Civil War commits
stoned officers, glad to don the private's uni
form again and stand for the guarantees
which this country gives to all orderly and
peaceful dwellers within its confines. A true
appreciation of what this country is. what it
stands for, what it's rights and obligations
are and what are the rights and obligations
Of its citizens was possibly stronger six years
after the ending of our great struggle than
it is to-day.
The national guard. with twenty rounds OF
ball cartridges, reached the starting point
Of the parade at the appointed time. The or
dering out of the whole brigade was most
unfortunate; single well disciplined regi-
ment would have been entirely sufficient. One
OF the regiments which | believe no longer
exists as a military unit, was commanded by
that singular creature Jim Fisk and was no
more disciplined than himself. On some