The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-09-11
WITH OPEN ARMS
The People of the South Will
Receive the G. A. r.

Atlanta now has q grand opportunity,
Every year the Grand Army of the Republic
meets. In Portland, Me, - 600 visitors were
present, ut San Francisco $1,000, at St. Louis
l24,UtO and advices from Columbus, o., where
the Grand Army of the Republic meets this
week, are that there viii be $4,000 present.
Atlanta will invite the Grand Army of tho
Republic to meet in this city next year. Think
OF the advantage of having 125,0C0 northern
people to come into the south, inspect our
towns and cities and farms and go back and
tell what they have seen. 1t will beat all the
eXpositions that have been held in the south
since the war.
But has Atlanta any chance to get it?
vi course she has. She came very near get
ting 1T last year, beirg beaten only few votes
by Columbus, o., and General Lewis, who
represeuted Atlanta said that ne felt that he
ought not to press Atiantas claim, as there
were good reasons why it ought to be held that
year in the middlastatcs. lie believes to this
day that il he had made tho fight stronger
Atlanta would have been selected :hen.
Maj kirke said: az believe Atlanta can
get 1t. ! know that there is n strong feeling
IN favor of coming to Atlanta. and has been
for years. This is the historic point of the
war, aud there is very general desire among
the old soldiers to see the ba,tlctelds on which
they fought once more before they die. There
Is disposition to carry tho convention east
next year. but even ii Atlanta can't beat this,
L think 1t can certainly get it Tor the year
after.'
ell, three years ago in San Francisco,
then in st. Louis, now in Columbus, Ohio,
then say next year i'll New England This
would have carried the convention across the
continent Then think there would be u
universal desire to hold the convention in 1890
i'll Atlanta. You see here, we have been on
the Pacific slope, in the northwest in the
middle states and in the New England states
1t would then be in order to come to the
southern states"
Colonel Buck said: 81 am heartily in favor
of it. l believe we could have secured it last
year if we had felt justified in pushing it. 1
have been assured by Mr. Grady and other
citizens that they would guarantee the raising
OF fund OF ten to fifteen thousand dollars,
which would he ample If this is properly
placed before the meeting, | believe Atlanta
can get it,
"What about it going east this year?'
II do not think that is at all necessary. 1t
has already been held in the east. four years
ago, at Portland, Me. We have had con-
vention in New England, our convention this
year III the middle states, last year at st.
Louis, and the year before at San Francisco.
think now is the time to got it in the south,
and whenever it comes south Atlanta. will be
the overwhelming choice of the old soldiers.
General Lewis is at work now, and we will do
all Ill cur power to get Atlanta this great
prize"
Atlantas invitation to the Grand Army will
be a cordial, hearty one, indicative of the true
feeling of her people towards their brethren
OF the north. The principal city of the SOUTH
the pivotal ipoint of the war, opens her
arms to the sturdy north, and says: Come and
see our people and our country and especially
the wonderful progress which our people have
wrought in our country in the past quarter
of century. Come. and you will find the
latchstring on the outside"
Il sincerely hope that this organization of
veteran federal soldiers will accept our
invitation and will hold their next ell
campment in Atlanta" said Governor
Gordon, in discussing the matter yesterday
81 am sure everybody in Georgia would be
gratifed. Such visits as these viii do more
northern people have of the south than all
that can be said or written upon the subject
The veterans may be sure of a hearty well
come.'
Judge bowndes Calhoun, president of the
Confederate Veterans association said 3
"There is nothing that would please me
more. If can possibly go, 1 should like to
add my voice in Atanta's praise before the
G. A. r., convention at Columbus These
for there would be many of the boys who wore
the gray here, too-do much toward breaking
down the barriers of prejudice. We ought to
have the G.. A. r., by all means, and none
would be more highly pleased at their accept
ance than the Confederate Veterans"
Hon. w. A. Wright, comptroller-general
and ex-president of the Veterans association,
said: "By all means let's have them, if
possible pos ,,.n 1t is is the very thing ing
one place in the south for such a gathering
No other southern city can handle the crowd
but Atlanta can We will show these north
ern veterans that We are all brothers. The
influence for good upon both sections that such
a visit would have is simply incalculable."