Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-03-03

The q. A. II.
The recent meeting OF the Department
Encampment Of the Grand Army OF the
Republic in Atlanta was Of more impor-
lance to the South and 10 the entire coun-
( try than is generally understood ms
order. composed exclusively of former
1 soldiers Of the Union army, whose records,
1 both during the war and since, have been
honorable mo others being admitted to
membership, numbers now considerably
over 300, 600 members. OF course THIS
mem bership is princi pally in the North,
but there are nevertheless many thou
sands in the South, and he number is
constantly increasing. Wherever they
are found in any considerable numbers a
Grand Army post is pretty certain to be
established. No party lines being recog-
nized in the organization, the cardinal
principles being fraternity, charity, and
loyalty, the only result that can fol-
low the establishing of these posts
must be good. In the Department OF
Tennessee and Georgia, where are now
fifty posts, with nearly 1000 members,
one Of the results has been the organiza-
ton of camps OF Confederate veterans,
with similar aims and acting in full har-
mony with the G. A. Il. in Knoxville,
Chattanooga, Memphis and several other
places. Referring, however, to the i'm
portant action Of the Encampment at At
lanta, one of the resolutions passed by
that body was that "the delegates APP
pointed TO the National Encampment be
instructed to vote and work for the next
meeting of that body in Nashville" and
committee was appointed to make rates
with railroads, hotels, ETC., to raise funds
and arrange for the proper presentation
Of the invitation.
The Atlanta Constitution, in referring
to this, said: "The ordinary reader would
observe in this resolution little of
Importance to the general pub
lie, but when it is under
stood that these meetings of the national
encampment have become in later years
the occasion of reunions of thousands of
old comrades, that over 10000 gathered
in Portland, Me-, last June, ana they,
with their families and friends, to the to-
tai number OF $1,000, occupied that city
for nearly week, that meeting in Nash
vile means that not less than 100000 old
soldiers would come there, and from
thence, at it's conclusion, be scattered out
over the old battlefields and to the various
points of interest in the South, it can
readily be understood that our people
have a vital interest in the movement.
To most of these visitors this would be
their first coming South since the war,
and the new South-the South of peace
and plenty would be grand and
pleasing revelation, the beneficial
results of which are beyond esti-
mate" 1t would doubtless do the
Grand Army veterans at the North good
to see something OF the South. The well
come they would receive would do a great
deal to tree their minds from the bitterness
and prejudice for which the selfish bloody
shirt orators are wholly responsible. The
Southern people are always glad to vel
come men of enterprise and intelligence
such as compose the Grand Army of the
Republic, whether as visitors or home
seekers. The South, with its pleasant
climate and cheap lands, is certain to at
tract a large immigration in the near
future, and there are no more desirable
settlers than these Grand Army people.
II the next national campment is at
Nashville thousands of those who wore
the gray will gather at Nashville to well
come the thousands who wore the blue.
While there has been in years past bitter
ness between the North and South, grow
ing out of political differences, there
!
feelings between the Confederate and
ex-Union soldiers. II the 6. A. R. selects
Nashville for its next national encamp-
ment, it will never have cause to regret
its choice.