The National tribune., 1891-08-13
EsniIon The National TrIpun&

meudation in regard TO the amendment of
Section 1754. Adopted.
Also, resolution to present testimonial TO
Commauder-iu-Cbief Veazey to testify the
comrades appreciation Of his ability and zeal
in the discharge Of his duties. Adopted.
THE COLOR LINE.
Past Commander-in-C Chief Warner presented
the following report Of q majority Of the COM
mttee in regard to the vexed question Of the
colored Posts in the South
Your committee has carefully considered the
clear and frank statements Of the Conlnander-
Posts IN the Departments Of Louisiana and Mssis-
sippi The committee has also considered all the
documents submitted to and arguments made be-
fore u as TO the cnusea leading 70 the existin z
trouble in those Departments. The old Posts, from
10 8. inclusive, In the Departments Of Lou
isiaHa and Mississippi are composed or white com
rades. The new Posts, from to H. inclusive,
are composed Of col0red comrades. The conten-
ton Is that the latter Posts tainted with fraud
ia theis organization.
Here the report quotes freely from the Com
mander-in- Chiefs statements Of the cOnten-
tiOus OF the two sides, and concludes:
The remedy suggested OF a separate Department.
Of concurrent Jurisdiction for cOlored veterans in
wolves an amendment to our Rules and Regula-
tiOus. The committee is Informed that the Fequi-
site notice Of the presentation of this notice has
been given and therefore il il properly before the
BuCWHpucnt Tor its action. This organ iZhttOn, the
Grand Army Of the Republic, from its birth at De-
cHtur H.. in $500, to this, its Silver Encampment
has never turned from its Post doors
ANY DESERVING COMRADES,
however humble. on account Of his nationality,
creed, or color The only qualification for MEM
bership il an honorable discharge from the IT, s.
Army, Navy, Marine Corps from 81 to '65, as
the evidence that be aided In maintaining the
Government during the late rebellion; providing,
always, that the applicant has done nothing in
civil life to cast stain on bis honorable record in
Hbertys cause. During that fierce struggle for the
lie Of the Nation stood shoulder to shoulder
comrades tried. 10 Is too late TO divide on the
color line. who is good enough to stand
between the flag and those who would destroy ii
when the fate Of tie Nation was trembling in the
balance is good enough to be q eomrade in any De-
partmeut OF the Grand Army of the Republic. No
different rule has been,
OR EVER SHALL BE
recognized by the survivors Of the Union army and
navy. No Department should be established for
any color or nationality. Last year, in National
Encampment assembled under the shades Of Bum
ker Hill Monument the accredited delegates of the
Grand Army of the Republic unanimously in
dorsed the following words OF a distinguished com
rade Ii has been my determination to recognize
as a comrade the equal rights of every man,
matter what his color or nationality, provided he
has two qualifications
SERVICE AND AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE"
In this struggle Of life the strong should aid the
weak; u ennObles the former and helps TO elevate
the latter
lho platform OF principles OF tue G-A-4A. - 50
broad that all bOnorably discharged soldiers and
sailors can stand upon it. In the opinion Of your
committee the fact that the Department of louis
lana and Mississippi consists Of Posts part of
which are composed of white comrades, and others
Of COIored comrades. If sufficient reason for
making this radical change In our Rulesand Regu-
IatioHs. 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
coIored Posts Of the Department Of Louisiana and
Mississippi petitioRed for a separate Department..
Comrades representing a part of these Posts ap-
peared before the committee and claimed, IN aFgu-
ment that IL was their understanding. and that OF
many others of their colored comrades, that they
were only pettioniHg for Department 20 be cTe-
ated in the State Of louisiana the same as in other
States, in which Departments all comrades white
aud black, should be equally entitled to member
ship and, further that they and those represented
by them are opposed TO the creation of separate
Department. In view of the facts submitted to
your committee, it Is Of the opinion that il would
be inexpedieut to place the authority with the
Commander In Chief to organize new or Proyis-
iOual Departments in States ia which there are
organized Departments.
WILLIAM WARNER,
LUCIus FAIRCHMD,
JOHN p. REA.
HENRY PAINTER,