Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-05-28
CAPT. SAUNDERS TOAST.
Also His Stew in the Grand Army Of
the Republic.
From ITO Ae,o l'orR W2rId.

From tho Ae'5 York. Word.
Comrade s. NJ. Saunders, o.
Mount Vernon, Westminster county
member OF Farnsworth Post, 100
i7O. G. A. r., has es tranged himself from
fellowship in the pest, and has imperiled
his standing in the village of his resi-
dence by having proposed the health OF
Jefferson Davis at the centennial ami
versary of the Chatham Artillery at Sa-
vannah, Ga, in the early part OF this
month
The candid svowal Of his actions an
gered the members, and they Immediately
set about to chastise the delinquent.
Communications were exchanged and a
set of resolutions framed. to be signed by
every member, for the dismissal Of Capt.
Saunders from toe organ lation. The
resolu ions have appended TIE signatures
Of nearly all OF the members. Capt.
Saunders. when he heard OF The action OF
his comrades. retained Gen. HOratlo q.
King as his counsel, and is determined on
lighting the case 30 the bitter end. Capt.
Saunders. when seen by reporter
at his residence IN Mount Vernon last
night, said
~ made the toast and will not deny it.
The Chath am Artillery sert an invitation
10 the Old Guard OF this CITY % attend its
banquet. and | was chosen to represent
the organization. JEFF. Davis was the
guest OF the Chatham Artillery. At the
banquet several tOasts were made, and |,
fearing that the guest OF the occasion
would not be toasted, arose and said that
one who was so well known in The past,
and VINO would be loved in the future,
should not be forgotten. We all then
drank. This was all said.
sThe resolutions adopted at the last
meeting of the Farnsworth Post have been
sent to everal people, Wno have signed
them. They do not bother NE, however,
Tor have the law on nv side, There
was no harm in recalling one who figured
80 prominently in the country's history. |
am determined to fight this matter to the
end and | desire to show that this is a
matter of personal eminty."
Commander Jenkins. of the post, said
Il cannot say that our organization has
taken any steps in this matter regarding
Mr.. Saunders resignation. do not know
where the statement that we requested
him to resign originated. 1t was our
opinion that It was wholly out of place for
one of our post 10 get up aud propose the
health and happy life OF the eX-COnfed-
crate President, and for this reason we
resolved upon asking Mr.. Saunders If the
report was correct
what action does your organization
propose takmgW
"As Commander Of the post am not in
q position to state"
Gen. Lloyd Aspinwall when seen last
night said:
81 do not care to talk on the subject at
all. 1t is matter between The post and
Mr.. Saunders. | do not see the use OF
stirring up the muddy waters that are
bound to settle.'
Gen. Martin T. Mcmahon IN speaking of
he trouble said the Grand Army OF the
Republic has plenty to do in attending to
It's own business. Its members are ex-
pressly forbidden by its constitution from
meddling with Things outside of the pur-
pose for which they were organized, and
this is velV well understood. They have
no more to do with any members social
conduct-as long as such conduct is not
aisbonOrable-than they have to do with
his religion or his politics, and as for ask
ing a man to resign for the reason alleged,
he would have just as good right under
the constitution OF tue Grand Army of the
Repu bile to ask those VINO make the re-
quest TO resign for having made It. because
Of their ignorance OF the purpose of the
g. A. r. MOI man or set OF men has the
right under the circumstances to ask for
resignation. If a man proves himself
unworthy Of membership cOurt-martial
Is the remedy.
Capt. Saunders brOther-iR law, who has
undertaken his defense, says that Capt.
Saunders acted in his individual capaci-
tv, and not as representative OF the G A
K. He admits, ais s. that he acted as he
did partly from polite motives as he has
commercial dealings with the South as a
wine merchant.
In fact. it turns out that Mr. Saunders
bad been in savannah for a week before
the banquet, and had worked up fine
trade. In particular he had sold to the
Chatham Artillery 300 cases OF his excel
lent champagne. which, in point OF tact,
was the very brand In which he pledged
The health of MIR. Davis, and which doubt
less inspired the latter gentleman TO ut
ter the bright and loyal expressions of
symp athy referred 10.