Los Angeles herald., 1891-08-07

SO broad that all honorably discharged
soldiers and sailors can stand up for it.
In the opinion of your committee, the
fact that the department of Louisiana
and Mississippi consists OF posts, part of
which are composed of white comrades,
and the other OF colored comrades, is no
sufficient reason for making this
radical change in our rules and
our regulations. Our fraternity,
charity and loyalty should be witnessed
by our deeds, as we'll as our words. The
recommendation OF the commander-in-
chief is based upon the fact that seven
of the colored posts of the department
of Louisiana and Mississippi petitioned
for a separate department.. Comrades
representing part of those posts recon-
mended and stated that it was their un-
derstanding, and that of many other
colored comrades, that they were only
petitioning for a new department to be
created in the state of Louisiana, the
same as in other states, in which de-
partment all comrades, white and black,
should be equally entitled to member
ship; and further, that they and those
represented by them are opposed to the
creation of a separate department. In
view of the facts submitted to the
committee, it is of the opinion that it
would be inexpedient to authorize new
provisional departments in states in
which there are organized depart
ments."
This report was signed by William
Warner, John P. Rea, Lucius Fairchild
and Henry Painter.
A minority report was presented by
| w. S. Decker, of Colorado. He con-
Cured in the recommendations of the
commander-in-chief, and recommended
that the rules and regulations be so
changed as to authorize the commander
in-chief to organize department in de-
partments now existing, whenever sat-
isfied upon proper representations that
they may be organized without detri-
ment to the G. A. R. or any department
organization.
Mr.. Decker defended his minority re-
port at some length. He dwelt on the
| race distinctions in the south, and
said: "If we do not settle the question
now, it will be here continually until
settled according to the condition of af-
fairs found in Louisiana, Mississippi,
and other southern states"
Major Warner said: "When these
black men and white men shouldered
try, it was not question of etiquette or
sociality, but patriotism and loyalty.
The black man fought for flag that
never, up to that time, had protected
him in anything but bondage. This or
ganization had better bury the old flag;
the comrades had better tear the button
from their breasts than now, as our heads
are silvering, go back on the principles
for which we bled."
Ex- Commander in Chief Fairchild,
Comrade Nortcott of Virginia and two
colored members spoke in favor of the
majority report.
Mr.. Graham of Louisiana recounted
some of the trouble of his department
lie said no colored post had been recog-
nized until recently, when charters were
granted by the department commander,
who became offended because the men,
bers of the order refused to attend the
funeral of JEFF Davis. Several hundred
men had been admitted within few
days, and the time was too short to
make any examination into their mill
tary record or character.
By viva voce vote the majority re-
port was finally overwhelmingly adopted.
THE REUNION GREAT SUCCESS.
Today closing the business session of
the G. A. R. reunion, the veterans are
fast leaving the city. No less than eight
national organizations were in session,
and the encampment in it's many inno-
vations has certainly been the greatest
success OF any held yet.
Ex-PRIsoNERs' COMPLAINTS.
A sensation was created by the adj
dress of the president OF the National
Association OF Union ex-Prisoners of
War, E. H. Williams, OF Indiana. Re-
ferrng to the treatment accorded ex
prisoners, the president said: GAS an
organization, and in view of the great
and peculiar Eardships and suffering
endured as prisoners, we believe spe-
cial compensation is due us. For a
number of years bills have been pre-
sented to congress looking to such
measures as we felt due us, but go far
all appeals have availed us nothing.
For twenty-five years our government
has never so much as given us vote of
thanks for the sacrifice made"
This portion of the presidents ad-
dress was formally approved by the
association. Among the reports of
committees made was one embodying
a bill to be presented at the next ses-
sion of congress on behalf of soldiers
who were in prison for period of not
less than sixty days or more, provid-
ing they shall receive 81 for every day of
their confinement from the government.
Stephen M. Long, of East Orange, N. j.,
was elected president.
SIGNAL CORPS VETERANS.
The sixteenth annual reunion of vet
Grams of the United States Signal corps
showed a membership of 512. L. R..
Fortescue, OF Philadelphia, was elected
| president.
BLUE AND GRAY.
The society known as Comrades OF the
Battlefield, which includes the blue and
the gray, effected national organiza-
ton by the election of Major General
Dalton, of st. Louis, president. The as
sociation will hold its next meeting in
Chicago.
LADIES OF THE G. A. R.
The Ladies OF the Il. A. R. held very
successful meeting. The order is purely
charitable and social institution, and
was called into existence for the pur-
pose of taking into benevolent work
ing, patriotic association all the female
members of soldiers families. It's total
Iar io hofu 000 nj -