The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-08-04
DIsCORDeIN THE G. a. IL.

me department OF Louisiana and NJ issis-
sippi Opposed to Admitting Negroes
CHICAGO, Aug. 3.-[Special] Among
delegations to the Grand Army encamp-
ment at Detroit arrived in this city yes
terday was that of the department Of
Louisiana and Mississippi.
Comrade A. s. Graham and others of
the delegates say in published interviews
that they arc going to Detroit TO make
the issue on the exclusion OF negroes
from the Grand Army ranks, and they
declare that unless this demand ia &C.
ceded to they will withdraw from the
organization. They say they expect to
have animated opposition from North
ern posts.
Mr.. Graham gives the origin of the
trouble as follows: Grand Army Posts
Of Louisiana and Mississippi have al
ways refused to grant charters for negro
posts on the ground that the G. A. K. is
social organization and has power to
restrict its membership to those who
are agreeable in social sense to its
members. This policy WAS pursued I'M
til about the time of the death Of JEFF
Davis. At the time Jacob Gray, the Of
ficer commanding the department Of
Louisiana and Mississippi, WAS called
upon in his official capacity by the
mayor and number of prominent citi-
zeDs of New Orleans, to express them
selves in regard to the funeral and
official ceremonies, he replied by pledg-
ing the Grand Army to assist in the
Confederate chieftain. This act not
being in accordance with the rules and
regulations Of the department it refused
to take any part in the affair. Gray,
angered at the refusal of his command
to obey his orders to turn out at jeff
Davis funeral, said he would make it
do what was moro distasteful, namely:
to march behind negro posts which he
proceeded to organize.
In pursuance of this threat he granted
charters to nine negro posts and mus
tered in 500 men. This being an Off
cial act Of the department commander.
these negroes are now members OF q.
a. r., but the comrades Of the depart
ment of Louisiana and Mississippi have
ceased to recognize their posts, claiming
they we're illegally and irregularly or.
gained. The matter was referred to
the national commission and he ap-
pointed committee of two, composed
of General Bust and Judge Austin to
investigate the condition, and they have
prepared TO rcI ort against the legality
of the organization of negro posts and
they recommend as the only solution of
the difficulty that a new muster be made
and thorough examination OF the appli-
cant members OF colored posts IL they
are found to be all right they will be
admitted in separate and independent
department, believing, as they do, that
tho mixed department cannot exist in
the department OF Louisiana and Miss
is sippi to the best interests OF the Grand
Army of the Republic
ASSEMBLING IN DETROIT BY THOUSANDS.
DETROIT. Mich, Aug. 3.-ISpecial T.
The City OF Straits has assumed mar
tial air to-day. The veterans OF the
Grand Army of the Republic are no
longer arriving by hundreds, but by
thousands, and every incoming train
brings another throng to mingle with
the multitude that already parades the
streets. AS tho gala week of Detroit
opens, business is practically suspended,
and the tramp of the Grand Army OF the
Republic and the inspiring music of the
bands are heard or. every hand.
General William e.. Veasey. Of Yer
mont, commandment chief OF the Grand
Army OF the Republic, arrived this
morning, and his headquarters at Cadil-
lac have been the mecca Of SCARED and
grizzled veterans. Throughout the fore
noon General Veasey was accompanied
by Miss Clara Barton, the famous founder
OF the Red Cross Society.
Secretary of War Proctor was also OF
the party, with Quartermaster General
John Taylor, of Philadelphia, and AS
sistant Adjutant Emery, of Washington.