, 1891-08-07
G. A. R. ENCAMPMENT.
Palmer of New York Chosen
Commandments Chief.
h Lengthy Discussion on the
Color Question.
Gen. Veazey's Recommends
lions Non-Concurred In.


For senior vice commander-in-chief
there was but one candidate, Henry NJ.
Dutfield Of Michigan being chosen by
acclamation. T. S. Clarkson of Nebraska,
Peter b, Ayers OF Delaware and Albert
Il. Scholes of Georgia, we're nominated
f~oTjunior vice commander-in chief. Clark
son won on the first ballot. For chaplain,
three candidates, s. B. Payne of Florida,
d. G. Miner of Kansas and A. b. Ken
drick Of Iowa were nominated. Payne
was elected. Surgeon General Stevenson
of Connecticut was reelected by ac-
clamation.
Past Commander-in-Chie William
Warner. chairman of the committee on
the address of the commander-in-chief
reported resolutions, which were adopted,
petitioning congress for legislation pro-
viding for the custody and care of Mount
McGregor cottage, and for amendments
TO the revised statutes providing more
explicitly that preference be gwen old
soldiers IN government appointments and
employment.
The vexed race problem came up
In the encampment this afternoon aud
was effectively settled for all time. The
special champion of the negro race was
ex Congressman William Warner OF Mis-
souri,, past commander-in-chIef and he Is
tonight receiving the tribute of the colored
veterans, whose cause he SO eloquently
espoused. The matter came before the
committee on the com%mander-in chiefs
recommendations. presenting the follow
ing report: our committee has care
FULLY considered the clear and frank state
mentS OF the coInmander-in- chef regard
ing the difficulties existing between posts
IN the departments of Louisiana and
Mississippi. The committee has also
considered all documents submitted to
aud arguments made before 1t as to the
cause leading to the existing trouble in
those departments. The old posts from
l to s, inclusive. in the departments of
Louisiana and Mississippi, are composed of
white comrades. The new posts, from 9
TO IL, inclusive, are composed of
cOlored comrades. The contention is that
the latter posts are tainted with
fraud in their organization. The remedy
suggested of a separate department Of
concurrent Jurisdiction for colored veterans
involves an amendment to our rules and
regulations. During that fierce struggle
for the lite of the nation. we stood shout
der to shoulder as comrades tried. 1t is
too late to divide now on the color line.
TIT man who is good enough to stand be-
tween the flag and those who would de-
stroy 1t when the fate of the nation was
trembling IN balance, is good enough to
be a comrado in any department of the
Grand Army of the Republic. No DIFF
terent rule has been. or ever shall be. rec.
Ognized by the survivors of the Union
army and navy. No department should
be established for any color or nationality.
The platform OF principles of the q. A.
X. is so broad that all honOrably dis
charged soldiers and sailors can stand
upon II 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 others of colored comrades. is not
sufficient reason for making this radical
change In our rules aud regulations. our
fraternity, charity and loyalty, should be
witnessed by our deeds as well as our
words. The recommendation OF the com
mander in chief is based upon the fact
that seven of the colored posts OF the de-
partment of Louisiana and Mississippi
p%etitioned for a separate department.
Comrades representing part of their post
appeared before the committee and
claimed in argument that it was their
understanding, and hat OF many others,
that the cOlored comrades were only petit
tlonlng tor a department to be created in
the state of Louisiana, the same as in
other states, in which department all com
rades, white and black. should be equally
entitled to membership; and, further,
that they and those represented by them
are opposed to the creation of a separate
department. In view OF the facts sub
United to your committee, it is of the
opinion that 1t would be Inexpedient to
place authority with the commander in
chief to organize new or provisional de-
partments In states in which there are or.
Ranlzed departments. This report was
signed by William Warner, John p. Rea,
Lucius Eairchild and Henry Painter.
The minority report was presented by
w. s.. Decker of Colorado. He concurred
in the recommendations of the command
er in-chiet and recommended that the
rules and regulations be so changed as to
authorize the commander-in-chief to or
ganize a department in the departments
now existing, whenever satisfied. upon
proper representations, that they may be
organized without detriment to the G. A.
H., or any department organization. Mr..
Decker defended his minority report in a
speech OF some length. He dwelt on the
race distinctions in the South and SAID:
II we do not settle the question now, it
will be here continually until settled ac-
cordlng to the condition OF affairs found
IN Louisiana, Mississippi, and other
Southern states"
Maj. Warner said: when these black
men and white men shouldered a musket
in defense of the Union, it was not a
question of etiquette or sociability, but
patriotism and loyalty. The black man
fought for a flag that never, up to that
time, had protected him in anything but
bondage. This organization had better
bury the old flag; comrades had better
tear the button from their breasts than
now, as our heads are silvering, go back
on the princiI les for which we bled."
Applause.
Ex-Commandcr : in Chief Fairchild.
Comrade Northcott 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 Iecog-
nlzed until recently, when charters were
granted by the department commander,
who became offended because members of
the order refused to attend the funeral of
JEFF Davis. Several hundred men had
been admitted within a few days and the
time was too short to make anv examine
ION into their military record or character.
by vive voce vote the majority report was
hnally Overwhelmingly adopted.
Strong for Temperance.
w LN A.