The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-08-04
GRAND ARMY MEETING.
THOUSANDS ARRIVING BY ALI.
THE INCOMING TRAINS.

Detroit's Gala Week Opened-Inspir-
ing Strains OF Music on Every hand
Miss Clara Parton, Founder of the
Red Cross Society, IN the City-Tne
Delegates From Mississippi and Lou
isiana opposed to Negro Posts.
DETROIT, MICH, Aug. S.-The City of
Streets has assumed q martial air to- day
The veterans of the G. A. K. are no longer
arriving by the hundreds, but by the thou
sands, and every incoming train brings
another throng TO mingle with the multi
tude already paradiug the streets. The
gala week of Detroit has opened, and busi-
ness is practically suspended. The tramp OF
the Il. A. r. to the inspiring strains of
bands Of music is heard on every hand.
PROMINENT ARRIVALS.
Gen. William G. Veazey of Vermont.
commander. er.in-chief of the q. A. R..
arrived this morning, and his headquarters
at the Codillac have been the Mecca of
SCARED and grizzled veterans throughout
the forenoon. Gen. Veazey was accompanied
by Miss Clara Barton, the famous founder
OF the Red Cross Society. Secretary of
War Proctor was als) one OF the party.
with CeuArtermaster General John TAYLOR
Of Philadelphia, and Assistant Adiutant
Emery OF Washington.
OPPOSED TO NEGRO POSTS.
CHICAGO. Aug. 3.-Among the delega.
tions arriving in this city yesterday on their
way to the grand army encampment. to
be held at Detroit, was that Of the depart
ment OF Louisiana and Mississippi. Com
rade A. S. Graham and others Of the dee
gates say in published interviews that they
going m notrOft To olvs
exclusion of negroes from the grand army
ranks. And they declare that unless their
demand is acceded to they will Withdraw
from the organization. They say they ex.
pect to have animated opposition from the
southern posts. Mr.. Graham gives the
origin of the trouble as follows:
ORIGIN OF THE DEMANDS.
The grand army posts of Louisiana and
Mississippi have always refused to grant
charters for negro posts, on the ground
that the u. A. Il. ID a social organization
and has the power to restrict its member
ship to those who are agreeable in a social
sense to its members. This policy was pur-
sued until about the time Of the death Of
Jefferson Davis. At that time Jacob Gray,
the officer commanding the department of
Louisiana and Mississippi, was called upon
In his official capacity by the mayor and a
number OF prominent citizens of New Or
leans TO express themselves in regard to the
funeral and official ceremonies. He replied
by pledgiDg the grand army to assist in the
ceremonies over the remains of the con-
federate chieftain. This act not being Ia
accordance with the rules and regulat ions
Of the department it refused to take any
! part In the affair.
| THE COMMAND THREATENED.
Mr.. Gray, sngered at the refusal Of his
| command to obey his order TO turn out at
Mr.. Davis funeral, said he would make it
| do what was more dlstasteful, namely, to
march behind negro posts, which he pro-
| posed to organize. In pursuance Of this
threat he granted charters to nine negro
posts and mustered In 500 men. This being
the official act Of the department com-
| mander, these negroes are now members of
the G. A. R., but the commander Of the de-
partment Of Louisiana ana Mississippi have
| ceased to recognize these posts, claiming
that they we're illegally and lrregularly
| organized. The matter was referred to
| the national commander, and he
| appointed committee CT two, composed Of
| Gen. Burst and Judge Austin, to make an
investigation and they have prepared re-
| port against the legality Of the organization
Of these negro posts. II they should be
| found to be all right IL will be recommended
| that they be admitted in a separate and
| independent department. believing, as they
| do, that mixed department cannot exist
| in the department of Louisiana and Mis-
| souri, TO the best interests Of the Graud
| Army OF the Republic.