Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-14
NO MILITIA COLOR LINE.
The Consnitsss az cslored Citizens Call upoa
Him-Hs Prsmisas Thsrs Shall Re No Re-
dnefson ON Color Lins-Ths Dssss.tson
Highly Pleased.

on a color line. This result came from q con-
ference which the President had with Gen
Ordway at 10 o'clock and later with large
delegation Of colored men representing the
negro population of the District, who called
on him by appointment about an hour later.
the President and Gen. Ordway went over
the entire case, it is supposed, and during the
conversation the former indicated very clearly
thathe was not in sympathy with the idea of mus
tering out the colored troops alone. He made
mention of various ways in which the
deficiency n:sh' be met. paItic-
~ mhiay +, oy a P popular suosc ;, =, on
ns %Ssn ssss 81 the
about half an hour. he had a very definite
understanding that his order would have to be
revoked, either by means Of another order or
by an understanding with the two ousted
majors.
CALL AT THE War DEPARTMENT.
The delegation was composed as follows, the
representatives having been elected at last
nights meeting: James II. Smith, Walter S.
Thomas. a census Office clerk; Hon. John
r. Lynch. E. N. Hewlett, John H. Smyth, Hon.
B. X. Bruce, D. W. Jones, R. H. Terrell, chief
of division in the sixth auditors office; Il. W.
Tompkins of the second auditors office, Lewis
H. Douglass, Milton NJ. Holland, division chief
in the sixth auditors Office; John F. Cook,
William Z. Matthews, George N. Arnold. J. NJ.
Townsend, Henry E. Baker, Chas. r. Douglass
aud Prof. John W. Cook. They met at the
Treasury Department at about 10 o'clock and
went at once over TO the White House. but
before they entered il was sug-
for them to go over to the War Department and
lay the case before Gen. Grant. the acting Sec
Rotary of War. So they postponed their call
on the President in order to be courteous.
They found Gen. Grant very pleasant and
agreeable and ready and willing to listen to
them. Auditor Lynch sfnfad the in
a few words, and then q general con-
versation ensued, by means of which the
acting secretary became pretty familiar
with the colored side of the situation. He be-
came very much interested and said that he
would look into the matter at once and have
the proper action taken. The crowd then went
over to the White House impressed with the
idea that if the genial assistant secretary is not
relative OF the late ex-President he ought to
have been.
AN AUDIENCE wIrn THE PRESIDENT.
At the White House they had little or no
difficulty in getting at the President. Auditor
Lynch and Recorder Bruce first saw Mr.. Hal
ford, who agreed to arrange for an audience
with tho President. The delegates waited in
the cabinet room. In few minutes
Messr;. Lynch and Bruce we're called
into the audience chamber. and
there they laid the facts of the case before
the chief magistrate in brief form. 1t took
in all its lights and shades and then the beck
| oning finger Of Cerberus Loeffler drew the
| entire delegation into the inner temple. leaving
two reporters who had hoped to pass as colored
men in the outer darkness.
The President did not wait for the delegates
| to state their grievance, but advanced to them
| at once, saying: 81 have anticipated this visit
| of yours gentlemen, and l under stand your
request very well. assure you that have
| thorough knowledge of the facts. and that you
/ roofo cd nat he thafv faar
| will not be taken. There will be no partition
of the National Guard Of the District on a color
line alone, and If there is any deficiency in the
| appropriation You will merely be asked TO bear
placed upon you more than you can bear. If
need be. there will be a call made
| upon the citizens of the District
| for aid, to sustain the honor of the
guard. and have no doubt that it will succeed.
am not Q citizen of the District myself, but
| am only residing here temporarily, but will
do my part in such q movement and contribute
my share. 1t will probably be necessary
for you to combine your two battalions
| into one organization. 30 as to save armory
your good influence to see that this is accom-
plished without friction.
SOME MISREPRESENTATION APPARENTLY
81 have just sent for Gen. Ordway and had
| long talk with him about this matter and we
| have decided that there will be no such action
| taken as you anticipate. But, gentlemen, are
| you not little previous? Are you not just
| bit ahead of time? There has been nothing
done yet, no order issued"
This statement rather startled the delegates
and several voices were raised in protest
against It, respectfully, but with the firmness
Of conviction.
.'why, Mr.. President" said one of them,
'the order has been issued"
The President would not believe this to be
| true at first and was quite convinced that they
were in error until one of them produced it.
He examined it for o moment and his brow
wrinkled in a slight executive scowl. Then he
| said: ~ knew nothing Of this. 1t is a surprise
to me- did not know that there had been any
order issued yet. shall have TO look into this"
Then Mr.. Louis Douglass, the chairman Of
last nights meeting. laid before the President
| a copy Of the resolutions which were adopted,
Ored battalions. This was really unnecessary,
but it was done in order to make the visit
formal one and TO give the Presiden. some
thing that could be placed on file.
Mr.. George N. Arnold went on to tell the
President how Mai Fleetwood Of the seventh
| battalion, who was to have been Inundated by
| this order, had been given Q medal by Congress,
which had been presented to him by President
Lincoln. He spoke at some length Of Maj. Fleet
woods qualifications a. soldier and
citizen and of the high esteem in which he is
held by his colored fellow citizens. At this the
President Remarked In that case what you
folks want to do Il TO elect Fleetwood to the
command Of the consolidated battalions and
to make him the leader Of the colored troops
Of the District"
both sides the delegates Withdrew in the high
est state Of EMULATION over their success and
full Of praise for the President.
GEN. oRDwAY sKxT FOR.
About 1880 Private Secretary Halford mott
fed Gen. Ordway that the President would like