Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-04-15
NEW YORK SEVENTH.
PRESSURE BEING BROUGHT AGAINST
THEIR COMING.
How IL Was That the Invitation Came
To Be Extended to
Them.

mittee TO the Seventh and Seventy-frst
regiments of that city, land it seems from
the newspaper accounts that objections
ere urged against the trip because of the
decided Confederate tincture that the pro-
gramme has.
/ THE BEersNISo.
The committee who have charge of this
branch of the celebration were advised
/ that an invitation 10 these commands
: would be very acceptable. and accordingly,
after lengthy discussion. resolution
was adopted to ask them to be present
and participate in the parade and other
I exercises.
These invitations were mailed on Friday
| to the commandents of the regiments and
Their stats and to the captains OF the COM
| panIes.
A like invitation has been sent by order
/ OF the committee 10 the Corcoran Cadets of
/ Washington. ID. G.
COMPANY DESIRES TO COME.
One. company of the Seventh regiment
has already voted in favor of coming.
( Other companies Will consider the question
/ this week.
II they favor Richmond with their pres
cnce they will receive o hospitable well
/ come. True. they will see in line thou
sands OF Confederate veterans many of
| whom will bring with them their tattered
! oattl flags, but will find them good, hon
est, hearty, and jovial fellows.
THE SITUATION EXPLAINED.
A number Of officers who are members Of
the Military Reception Committee in re-
/ sponse TO q request from the Serenb
Regiment Gdzetie have written that journal
full account Of the steps taken here with
regard TO invitations to northern military,
and have given assurance that those who
come will receive fraternal welcome.
ARADIcAL KICK.
| II was almost impossible for our com
/ mittee to do otherwise than they have
after being informed that the Seventh
/ regiment wished to come. but in New
/ York there is a peculiar view taken. as may
/ be'seen from the following extract from
the Army and May .jo'srna, Of Saturday:
/ We are glad to see 1t stated that the
| Seventh New York does not propose TO ac-
oept an invitation to Richmond on this oc-
casion. The purpose il TO celebrate the
/ Lost Cause" and in such q celebration
| the Seventh New York cannot properly
/ take part, A soldier would on the battle
/ field divide his last drink with wounded
[ enemy, but building monuments to cele-
! brate the cause for which he fights Is an
other matter. A noble enemy is always
| worthy of respect. but not a bad cause,
D HuO NOuIK lftu OF Lnt seventh SIOulu HOJ
| have their minds confused as TO the dis
| tiDction between the two. Unsuccessful
( rebellion isalways and everywhere treason,
and so the record should stand.
HOPEFUL
! Some of those members Of the Military
I Committee who voted to extend these in
I yitatIons are still hopeful that the Seventh
and Seventv-frst viii decide 10 accept, but
I in the face of the discussion now going on
/ in New York such view may be mildly
characterized as over-sanguine.
! The 30th of May is National Decoration
/ day and the New York military may easily
/ persuade themselves that it will be incon-
/ venient 20 all and impossible to many TO
/ be IN Richmond on the 29th and return
/ home in good trim for the parade of the
/ 30th--a parade which they on no account
would miss and in which they are always
very prominent figures.
HOW II GAME.
! The Military Committee were induced to
act in this respect by letters written here
/ by Yirginians resident in New York (some
| OF whom are members of the Seventh
regimcnt), who said that the Seventh regi-
ment would like TO be invited.
The Seventh and the Seventy-first were
| so kind to our military upon their visit to
/ kes. York that all present said they would
( be glad TO see them here. but some ex-
| pressed fears that the very state affairs we
/ now see would arise and hence voted
J against making any move at all in the mat
| ter But the great majority voted Aye
| as did numerous members of other COM
mittees who were called in consultation.
/ In brief. our folks were convinced that
/ the New Workers wanted to come. Hence
they extended them invitations. If they
come they will be we'll treated.
THEY WILL HARDLY COME
The following from the New York Times
I of Sunday. "A very conservative paper,
shows which way the wind is blowing:
/ The expected invitation to the Seventh
regiment and the Old Guard TO participate
In tho ceremonies attending the unVelllng
of the statue Of General Robert +. Lee
/ in Richmond on the 29th of May was the
occasion OF much discussion among the
members of those organizations yesterday
The younger officers and the immature
soldiers in the Seventh were virtually a
unit in declaring that the invitation
should be accepted. The older men. how
ever, were alert to perceive that much
more was involved IN the undertaking than
a mere pleasure excursion. Ii was recog-
nized that the time Of year selected
brought the celebration dangerously near
Decoration day, which, by common con-
sent, has taken the place OF the Fourth OF
July as military -pdIhit Jay
Tho Seventh" remarked 0 prominent
officer in close sympathy with reglmental
headquarters, "is disposed TO do all IN Its
power 10 show that the sectional feeling
awakened by the civil war is obllterated.
We have thousand men who would cheer
fully Journey to Richmond for that pur-
pose. But there is a sentimental idea back
OF all which causes us TO hesitate. Robert
T.. Lee we recognize as one or the most
famous products OF American manhood.
/ His achievements as a military leader were
marvellous, but We cannot ahord as NORTH
ern men to lose sight of the fact that
those achievements were obtained while
/ General Lee was in rebellion against the
National Government. through whose
liberality and fostering care ho had OBJ
tanned hrs professional education.
If the Richmond celebration were purely
local enterprise there would be no hesl-
fancy on the part of the Seventh regiment
TO accept the Yirginians' invitation and
take part in the procession in the celebra-
ton arranged for the 29th Of May. But we
are by no means assured that the senti-
ments expressed by the orators of the day
on that occasion will not be diametrlcally
opposed to the genius of the union of
States. We cannot afford to give even
moral support or countenance to any SEN
timent which shall seem to uphold the
Lost Cause.
IF the Confederate flag is to fly over
Richmond on that day, the Seventh regi,:
ment would DO false to its traditions aud
its record if it consented TO march under
il without expressing dissent, which would
be impossible TO the organization in view
of it's character as guests Of the Dominion
Commonwealth.
1T has been suggested that the regiment
might leave Richmond on the night OF the
29th and arrive in New York in time TO
take part in the DecOration-Day celepra,
ton of the Goth of May. But as this would
impose an immense amount OF fatigue
upon the members Of the regiment. with
out corresponding advantage, 1t Is safe 10
assume that the invitation OF Generai
Henderson and his associates TO visit hlcn-
mond will be declined with thanks"
In the armory OF the Old Guard yester,
day an uncommonly- large gathering OF
members assembled, among whom tne
Richmond invitation was the chief topic
Of discussion. The prevailing sentiment
was to the effect that it would be grace
ful thing 10 accept the invitation OF tne
Virginia authorities. but this course. II was
agreed, could not be pursued, inasmueh as
the Old Guard had agreed officially 10 &C.
as escort to the President OF the Uniteu
States on Decoration day.
Quarters for Visiting Military.
II IaTar