Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-05-24

The Captain OF the "oid Guard .
stands Fire.

{
stands Fire.
The following from the Mt. Vernon y.
! " Item will be read with interest by
/ those who have been anxious to learn the
result of the proposed investigation by
] the Grand Army Post of Capt. Saunders
remarks at the Ar'Ulery banquet. twill
+ be seen that tan lptain Stands fire,
I and refers tucut -tigatOrs to the account
/ published in ,Ir MORNING NEWS:
"Uonsiderabie comment has lately been
made, through the medium OF our North
ern newspapers, upon the action OF Capt.
5 VI. Saunders, OF the Old Guard, New
YORK, who, on the occasion OF the Centen-
NAL anniversary OF the Chatham Artil~
lery, held at savannah, Ga, the first
week OF the month, proposed at the Cen
teu0lal banquet the health of Jefferson
Davis. Capt. Saunders is member OF
Post Farnswortn, No. 40, G.. A. r., and
evidently has by his action incurred the
displeasure Of his post, inasmuch as the
matter was brought up at late meeting
OF the post aud Commander jenkins for
warded to him the following letter:
MT. VERSION, May 10, 1886.
C0mrd9e SuitndeFS:
My DEAR SIR-At the meeting Of our post
last + riday evening the newspaper report of
your participation in banquet at Savan-
nah at which You volunteered toast To Jef-
icrson DAVIS was theme Of discussion. /
TOOK the ground that newspaper report was
not always correct and after considerable
discussion the matter was referred 20 me 10
gather from you the facts. For this purpose
/ now write you. Did Won rise and propose
the health of jefferson Davis and a comp ny
the toast with remarks? BY giving me an
swer and stating your action, / hope may
dyest il of anything that VIII reflect as The
paper report reflects. Very truly yeurs IA +.
T.. and L.. JAMES ii. JE%EINS,
Commander Post 40.
The reply of Capt. Saunders 10 dignlhed,
fearless and forbearIng, and deserves the
respect OF every high-minded, int illgent
Republican as we'll as Democrat. The
war is over, peace reigDs In the land.
Republicans as well as Democrats must
recollect that Horace Greeley, whose
loyalty no one could doubt, whose patriot
ism no one could excel. offered to become
a bopdsman for Jefferson Davis. and this
same Jefferson Davis, poor mortal after
all, leaves us his record of peace and love
by his letter of sympathy during the
touching episode of Gen. Grants long
illness. Brave men are always generous
the narrow-minded only entertain feelings
OF hatred toward those who are defeated.
Here is Capt. Saunders reply:
MT. VERNON, n. Y, May IA, 1886.
ComrGde j. II. Jenkins, Commander or FARMS
My DEAR SIR am duly in receipt OF your
favor of the 10th inst. informing me that at n
late meeting OF our post "A theme OF discussion
was whether or not proposed, at a banquet
at Savannah, the health Of jefferson DAVIS,
with accompanying remarks. In reply beg
to inform you that on the occasion referred to-,
being the Centennial OF the Chatham Ar
tilery, of savannah, Ca, / was an honored
guest Of that old and nOnOred corps; that my
remarks were specially directed to the Gov
ernor of the state OF Georgia and on that oc-
casion l proposed the health Of jefferson
Davis.
As a member of the Grand Army of the
Republic that has taught me love ana forgive
ness TO all mankind, and maintaining my
love and devotion to the union OF my country,
/ believed then as | believe now that the
sword has given way to the pl0ughshare and
the bayonet to the reaper; that tine true
cement 10 bind the North and South IS the
presentation OF that branch of friend hip
which should entwine our social as we'll as
our numerical relations.
drank TO The health OF Jefferson Davis as
an individual and not as representative, and
as you have quoted from newspapers. 1 have
only TO refer to the Savannah NEWS of May 4,
which gives the speech of MIR. jefferson Da-
Wis in reply to my few words, his speech con-
tanning more bright and loyal expressions IN
sympathy with the federation of this great
country than could be expressed by a nun
dred thousand men who really do not know
the great principles OF the Christian Faith,
Peace, Forgiveness to all mankind.
Very truly yours in f. {. and L.,
s. Nj. SAUNDERS.