The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-08-07
clared unanimous, and itprevailed amid
widest enthusiasm.
rHR Sgw COMMANDER.

Capt. John Palmer, the commander
in.chief, was born on Staten Island,
March 20, 1872, and has a splendid war
record. He enlisted in the Ninety.frst
New York Volunteers, September 10,
1881, and was constantly with that regi-
ment until 1t mustered out, July Is,
1855, taking part in all its engagements,
He was seriously injured at tho battle
OF Five Forks, In the combined charge
OF cavalry and infantry. Since the war
he has been engaged in the fresco paint
ing and decorating business at Albany,
n. Y, and had the contract for all the
decorating on the State Capitol. As q
member OF the G. A, X. he was for sew
eral terms commander OF Lew Benedict
Post No. s, WIS elected commander OF
the New York Department, and in 1870
was elected senior vice commander-in-
chief, all OF which important position
he filed with credit. He IS said to be u
forcible speaker, model presiding off,
Ger at department and national conyen-
tions, and has frequently been placed at
the head OF important committees by
both State and national encampments.
For Senior Vice Commander-in-G Chief
there was but one candidate, Henry NJ.
DufIiield, Of Michigan, being chosen by
acclamation. r. S. Clarkson, OF Ne
braska, Peter Blyers, Of Delaware, and
Albert +. Sholes, OF Georgia, were
nominated for Junior Vice Com
mander-in-Chief Clarkson won on the
first ballot. For Chaplain there were
three candidates; S. B. Payne, Of
Florida, D. @. Miner, OF Kansas, and
A. B. Hendricks, OF Iowa. Dfr. Payne
was elected.
surgcon-General Benz. 7. Stevenson,
OF Connecticut, wns reelected by accla-
nation. Past Commander.in.C Chief
William Warner, chairman OF the COM
mittee on address OF the Commander-in-
Chief reported resolutions which were
adopted, petitioning Congress for legis-
lation 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 government appointments
and employment.
THE RACE PROBLEM.
The vexed trace problem" came up
in the cncampment this afternoon, and
was effectively settled for all time.
When Mr.. Warner, as chairman Of the
Committee on Commander-in-C Chiefs
Recommendations, presented the fol-
lowing report: "Your committee has
carefully considered the clear, frank
statements OF the Commander-in.C Chief
regarding difficulties existing between
posts in the departments of Louisiana
and Mississippi. The committee has
also considered all the documents sub
mitted to and arguments made before
it as to the causes leading 10 the exist
ing trouble in these departments. The
old posts, from one to eight inclusive, in
the departments Of Louisiana and
Mississippi are composed Of white
comrades. The new posts, from nine TO
seventeen inclusive, are composed OF
colored comrades. This organization
from its birth at the Decatur, Illinois,
meeting in 1865, to this, its silver en-
campment, has never turned from Its
posts any deserving comrades, how
ever humble, on ccOount OF his nation
ality, creed or color The only Qualif-
cation for membership is an honorable
discharge Of the United States army,
navy or marine corps Of '61 to '65 as the
evidence that he aided in maintaining
the honor, integrity and supremacy OF
the National Government during the
late rebellion, providing, always, that
the African has done nothing TO cast q
stain on his honorable record in lib
erty's cause.
"During the fierce struggle for the
life Of the nation, we stood shoulder to
shoulder as comrades tried, i is too
late to divide now on the color line. A
man who is good enough to stand be-
tween the flag and those who would de-
stroy it when the fate Of the Nation was
trembling in the balance, is good
enough to be comrade in any depart
ment OF the Grand Army OF the Repub-
lie. No different rule has been, or ever
shall be recognized by the survivors of
the Union Army and Navy. No depart
ment should be established for any color
or nationality. The platform OF prin-
ciplGs of the Grand Army of the Re-
public is so broad that all honorably
discharged soldiers 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 composed OF
white comrades, the other OF colored
comrades, is no sufficient reason for
making this radical change in our rules
and regulations. Our fraternity,
charity and loyalty should be witnessed
by our deeds us well as our words.
"The recommendations OF the Com
mander-in-chief is based upon the fact
that seven Of the colored posts Of the
Department of Louisiana and Missis-
sippi pctitioned for q separate depart
ment., Comrades representing part of
their posts appeared before the commit
tee and claimed in argument that it
was their understanding, and that OF
many others OF their colored comrades,
that they were only petitioning for
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;
aud further that they and those repre-
sented by them were opposed to sep
arate department. In view of the facts
submitted to your committee, it is OF
the opinion that it would be expedient
to place no authority with the Com
mGnder-in.Chief to organize new or
provisional departments in States in
which there are organized departments.
"(Signed) WILLIAM WARNER,