The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-10-01

| MR. EpIToR-Doar Sir: To my very
! great surprise l find TINT the commit
4 tee having in charge the Columbian
celebration and parade, which will
soon take place In this city. have de-
oided that Charles Sumner Post, No. 4.
OF the Grand Army OF the Republic, OF
the Department of Delaware, which la
composed entirely of colored men,
cannot take part In the parade on tho
| day of said celebration. They give
III reason for their action that II this
colored Grand Army Post takes part in
the parade some 1900 white men be-
| longing to other secret societies. who
had decided to participate in said cele.
| bratlon, would not do SO IL this oolored
Grand Army Post is allowed in the line
OF parade.
This action on the part OF the COM
mittee is gross insult to every
1 Grand Army maD In this State and In
thie nation. During my administra-
/ ton as Pro Department Commander
| OF the g. A. II. OF Delaware Posts from
/ Nos. to z inclusive, were mustered in,
\ to form the Delaware State Depart
ment. 1t became my duty and pleas
ure as such commander. to muster
4 into the Grand Army Charles Sumner
| Post No. 4, of this city. The men mus
tered IN by me In this Post we're all
honorably discharged soldiers, who
served in defense OF their country dur
| inR the Rebellion OF 1861 and 1865. No
man, white or colored, can enter with
/ in tho inner door of q Grand Army
Post who cannot present an honor
able discharge from the U. s. Army,
given within the dates above men-
| toned.
In the Grand Army no castles are
known. The officers OF colored
/ Grand Army Post and it's representa-
/ tiyes. or delegates by 1t elected. have
\ the same right and privilege accorded
4 to them In the meetings OF the State
| Department as the white members
4 thel eof have accorded to them; and
| colored representatives from state De-
partments have accorded to them In
/ the National Eucampinent, The Same
rights and privileges as the white rep
resentativeS TO the National Encamp.
| nont have accorded to them, and at the
/ National Encampment held In the City
of Washington a few days ago a very
large number of posts, composed OK
| clusively Of colored veterans, march
ed side by side with their white com
rades, and were accorded the same
honors and privileges ut said encamp-
ment, which had amongst it's officers
aud delegates, % large humber OF dis
tiDguiShed gentlemen. many OF them
/ who have held, and are now holding,
the most important military and civil
Offices in the United States,
/ The act of the Columbian celebration
committee III this city isan unjust and
a disgraceful act and one that must
meet the disapproval OF every Grand
| Army man in this State especially, as
/ well as the universal condemnation OF
every man who was loyal to the flag
in the darkest hours Of the rebellion.
and l sincerely trust that unless the
! committee rescinds its action in refer
/ ence to Charles Summer Post without
delay, that every white Grand Army
man in Delaware will refuse 10 take
any part or place in the parade at the
/ Columb ian Day Celebration In this
\ city. Very respectfully submitted,
K. &. FRAIH,
Past Pro-Department Commander Of
tho q, A. X. oil the Depar tment OF
/ Delaware.
/ Wilmington, Del, Oct. l, 1892.