The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-08-07
TIL T. COLOR LINE.
1t Will Not BE Drawn in the Ranks of
the G.. A. X.

1t Will Not BE Drawn in the Ranks of
the G. A. X.
DETROIT, Aug. 6.-Past Commander-ir-
Chief William Warner, chairman of the
committee on address of the commander
ln-chisf, reported resolutions, which were
adopted, petitioning congress for legislation
providing for the custody and care of Mount
McGregor cottage and for amendments to the
revised statutes providing more explicitly
that preference be given old soldiers in gov
ernment appointments and employment.
The "race problem" came up in the en-
campment this afternoon AMI was ahec-
lively settled for all tlme The special
champion of the negro race was ex-Con-
gressman William Warner, of Missouri
past commander -ill- chief. and he is tonight
receiving the tribute of the colored veter-
ans whose cause he 80 eloquently espoused.
The matter came before the convention
when Warner, AZ chairman of the commit
tee on ommander-in-chief's recommends
tions, presented the following report:
Your committee has carefully consid-
cred the ceHr and frank statements of the
COMMUNICATIVE chief regarding difficulties
existing between nosts in the departments
of Louisiana and Mississippi. The COM
mite has also considered all documents
submitted to, and arguments made before
it, as to the causes Leading to the existing
trouble in those departments. The old
posts, from one to eight inclusive, in the
departments of Louisiana and Missis-
sissippi. are composed of white comrades.
The news posts, from nine to seventeen
inclusive. are composed of colored COM
rades. The contention is that the latter
posts are tainted with fraud in thor organ
ization. The remedy suggested, separate
department of concurrent jurisdiction for
colored veterans. involves an amendment
to our rules and regulations. During that
fierce struggle for the life of the nation, We
stood shoulder to shoulder as comrades
tried. 1t is too late to divide now on the
color line. The man who is good enough
to stand between the flag ands those who
would destroy it, when the fate of the ma
tion was trembling in the balance, is good
enough to be n comrade in any department.
of the Grand Army of the Republic. No
different rules have been or ever shall bs
recognized by survivors of the Union army
and navy, no department should be estab-
lished for any color or nationality. Tho
platform of principles of the e. A. X. is 40
broad that all honorably discharged sol
diers and sailors can stand upon it. In the
opinion of your committee the fact that the
department. of Louisiana and Mississippi
consists OF posts, part of which are com
posed OF white comrades. the other of ool-
ored comrodes, is no sufficient reason for
making this radical change in our rules and
loyalty should be Witnessed by our deeds as
we'll as our words. The recommendation
of the commander in chief 10 based upon
the fact that several of the colored posts Of
the department OF Louisiana and Missis-
sippi have petitoned for separate de-
partmsnts. Comrades representing part
of their post appeared be-
fore the committee and claimed In
argument that il was their understanding
and that of many others, that colored COM
radss were only petitioning for a depart
ment 10 be created in tho state of Louisiana
the same as in other states, in which depart
ment all comrades, white and black, should
bo equally entitled to membership, and
further that they and those represented by
them are opposed to tho creation of N sepa-
yato department.. In view OF the facts sub.