St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-08-07
THE COLOR LINE.
Majority and Minority Reports on
the Subject.

the Subject.
DETROIT, Aug. 6.-The veXed trace
problem" came up at the encampment
this afternoon, ana was effectively set
tied for all time. The special champion
OF the negro race was eX-COngressman
William Warner, OF Missouri. past
Communicated and he is tonight
receiving the tribute Of the colored vet
Grams. whose cause lie so eloquently
eSpOused. The matter came before the
convention when Mr.. Warner, as chair
man of the committee on the COM
mander-in-chiefS recommendations pre-
scented the following report:
'Your committee has carefully considered
the clear and frank statements of the com
mander-in chief regarding difficulties exist
ing between posts in the departments of
Louisiana and Mississippi. The committee
has also considered all the documents sub
miIted to and arguments made before il as to
the causes leading to the existing trouble in
those departments The old posts, from one
10 eight inclusive. III the departments of
Louisiana and Mississippi, are composed of
white comrades. The new posts. from nine
TO seventeen inclusive. are composed of col
ored comrades. The contention is that the
latter posts are tainted with fraud in their
OrganizatiOn.' Here the report quotes freely
from the chiefs statements of
the contentious Of the two sides, and con-
cluies:
The remedy suggested of separate de-
paTtment Of concurrent Jurisdiction for col
Ored veterans involves an amendment 10 our
rules and regulations. The committee is in
formed that the requisite notice OF the pres
entatiOn Of this notice has been given. and
therefore il is properly before the eHcamp-
meut for its action This organization, the
Grand Army OF the Republic from Its birth
at Decatur, H., III 1856, to this, its silver en-
campment. has never turned from its posts
doors any deserving comrades, however hum
Bile. on account OF his nationality, creed or
color. The only Quaiihcaton for member
berShp Is an honorable discharge from the
Z nited States army, navy or marine corps
of 81 to o. as the evidence that he aided
IL maintaining the honor, integrity and
supremacy of the national government dur
ing the late rebellion, providing, always. that
the African has done nothing in civil life to
cast n stain on his honorable record in lib
eIty's cause.
During that fierce sJIuggle for the life Of
the uauOn We stood shoulder to shoulder as
comrades tried. Ii is TOO late now to divide
on the color line. 4 man who was good
enough to stand between the flag and those
who would destroy 1t, when the fate of the
nation vas trembling N the balance, is good
enough to be comrade in any department
Of the Grand Army Of the Republic. No diff
fercnt rule has been. Or ever shall be, rec
OgnIZed b. the survivors of the Union army
and navy. No department shOuld be eStao-
llshed for any color or nationality. Last
year, IN national cEcdmpment assembled,
under the shades of Bunker Hill monument
the accredited delegates OF the Grand Army
IF the Republic unanimously Endorsed the
following words of q distinguished comrade
1T has been my determination TO recognize
rs 4 cOmT2de the equal rights of every man,
no matter what his color or nationality. pro-
vided he has two qualifications service and
an honorable discharge. IL this struggle of
life The strong should hClp TIE weak Ii en-
mobiles the former and helps to elevate the
latter
1.-The platform Of principles Of the G. a.
r. is so broad that al hOnoTably discharged
soldiers and sailors can stand upon il. In
the opinion Of yOEr committee the fact that
the department of Louisiana and Mississippi
consists of posts 4 part of which are com
posed Of white comrades, the others Of col
Ored comrades; is no sufficient reason fol
making this radical change in our rules and
regulations. Our fraternity, charity and 10y
atty should be witnessed by our deeds as vel
as our words. The Recommendations Of the
cOmmander-in-chiefa -e based upon the fact
that seven OF the co!orcd posts of the depart
lnent of Louisiana and Mississippi pelitioned
for a separate department. Comrades rep
Icsenting a part of their post appeared
before the committee and claimed IN
Argument that il was their understanding
and that OF many OF Their colOTed comrades
that they we're ONLY petitiohing for q DC
paTtmeni 10 be created in the state OF Louis
lana, the same as in other states in which
department oil comrades. white and black
Should be equally entitled TO mcmbcGship
and, further, that tuey and those represent
ed by them are opposed 10 the creation of a
separate department. IN view Of tic fxsli