The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-08-06

Col1uldHUer SOl. d. y. Hill. a gov
ernor of state is not often seen
trudging along in the dust with the
boys, but this sight was witnessed
more than once today.
| AS the Nebraska Grand Army of
the Republic, 500 strong, with De-
partment Commander Feeter and Gov.
Thayer, passed the grand stand it
was impossible to tell whether the
cheers were for the granger governor
or the soldier boys, or that venerable
old figure which always provokes
the cheers of the volunteer soldiers,
Paul Van Der WORT, past national
commander-in-ch
Of course, Michigan, with her Is, ,00O
veterans. received the ovation of the
day. The division was officered by
Department Commander G. l.. Eaton,
Adjutant General w. X. Noyes and
Quartermaster General Spicer.
Iowa came next to the Wolverine
State, 800 strong, and marching with
military precision to the ever popular
tune, "Yankee Doodle"
That the G. A. r. indeed levels all
distinctions was again eXemplified
when Indiana's $500 veterans;
moved in majestic column past the
reviewing stand. At their head and
beside Department Commander I. N.
Walker marched Governor Alvin p.
Hovey, and right royalty did the
multitude greet Indiana's chief ex-
ecutive; but though governor he was
a soldier still and not even by bow
or glance did the hero of the battle of
a hn Int &
his admirers.
Following in their order were
the divisions of Colorado, Wyoming,
Kansas, Delaware, Minnesota, Mis-
souri,, Oregon, West Virginia, South
Dakota, Washington, Alaska, Arkan
sas, Montana, Texas, Idaho and Ala
bama. The naval veterans and sons
of veterans, 5000 strong, brought up
the rear and closed the parade.
Minnesota under the leadership of
Commander G. d. Parker contributed
2500 men to the magnificent parade,
but there was one man in the ranks
who received many rounds of ap-
plause ere the march ended. 1t was
Past National Commander in Chief
John p. Rea, who insisted on march
ing with the rank and file. A private
soldier shared with Gen. Rea admira-
tion the multitude. 1T was James
Conway, who at the battle of Altoona
Pass captured the flag of the Thirty
fifth Mississippi regiment and bore it
bravely from the field.
There was wild cheer when the
Missouri veterans hove in sigh. 1t
was this state which had furnished
VIM. Warner, one of the most popular
commanders in chief the G. A. r. has
ever known.
A DIAMOND BADGE.
EX-President Hayes, accompanied
by Col. Hecker and the committee
that purchased the $1,000 diamond
G. A. r. badgefo for Gen. Veazey, called
at the national department headquar-
ter's to make the formal presentation
The ceremony took place in the large
parlor of the hotel where Gen. Veazey
stood with his wife, surrounded by
his entire staff. "Commander-in-
Chief Veazey," said ex-President
Hayes, "and comrades, who with me
have been honored with places on
your staff, have assigned to me the
agreeable duty of presenting to you
this badge. They ask you to ACCEPT it
as as token of the esteem, adnfira-
tion and affection in which
you are held by ourselves and
by our comrades of the Grand Army
Of the Republic. 1t will, we trust,
bring present joy to you and your
family. 1t will remind you and them
of the honorable part you bore in the
great event of this age, in sacred and
stainless war for the Unicn,and liberty.
[Applause]. During your term of
office you have, as you prom
ised when you were chosen,
amply kept between yourself
and your comrades not only touch of
elbows but also touch of heart. Our
hope is that this simple gift will re-
mind you pleasantly of events and
scenes and comradeship of the great
conflict; that it will recall the famous
day of Gettysburg, ofyour opportuni-
ty, Of your honorable service and
of your signal triumph Our wishes
and our prayers are that your life
may be long and happy in the land
which, in the day of it's deadly peril,
you did your part to save" ZAP
plause.
Gen. Veasey replied briefly, thank
ing the donors for their good wishes
and graceful compliments.
THE ORDER IN DANGER.
DETROIT, Mich, Aug. 4.-The color
question threatens to disrupt the
Grand Army of the Republic, and
Col. George T. Hedges, commander of
the department of Mississippi and
Louisiana, says unless the thing is
out there won't be a
white member Of the Grand Army
south of the Ohio river year hence.
The white men want to rule their own
posts and to let the colored men rule
their own. Col. James Lewis of New
Orleans, a colored man, is making the
fight for his race