Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-03-18
Richmond and the Grand Army.


The Grand Army OF the Republic viii
hold its annual session in the city OF Wash
ington in the month Of September, and the
programme for the entertainment OF the
members includes a visit to the battle-helds
in Virginia, aud particularly those around
Richmond and Petersburg.
Many of the veterans who wore the blue
and who have not been in the habit of at
tending these reunions have determined
20 be present at this one, with the special
purpose OF revisiting the scenes of their
amy life.
1t is .yearping which al old soldiers
can understand and appreciates resist
less desire to test ones recollection after
the lapse of quarter Of a century. and TO
see IL the pictures that are imprinted
upon the memory represent the realities
Of the present. II Was with such feeling
that the survivors of PIcEETT's Division
some years ago iourneyed to Gettysburg.
1t is such feeling that endeaIs to the
veteran every spot where his command
biyouacked; every spring or rivulet at
which he knelt and filed his canteen;
every riAe-pit he helped TO dig. and every
plain on which he met the enemy.
There is hardly soldier of either army
now living who would not esteem it one Of
the greatest privileges OF his life to be
permitted to return, In company with for
mer comrades, to the neighborhood where
the most exciting portion of his army life
was spent. Thousands ond tens of thou
sands, in pursuance of this craving, nave
in years past come to Richmond and Pc
tersburg, and have had hospitable recep-
tioas from Confederate camps and citizens
generally.
Our feelings towards the fighting men of
the North have long been fraternal. As
rule. the waivers of 1.-The bloody shut
were not veterans but bomb-proofs y;
not men who confronted n in the trenches,
but men who sent hired substitutes there
toperform their feats of valcr.
The Federal army, which occupied Rich
nonl on April 3. 1865 did much Of Che
work OF checking the flames which were
Spreading and devouung the city. And in
The dark and desperate days OF reconstruc-
tion every Virginia veteran felt that mill
tary rule was preferable to the rule OF the
tenegades and carpet-baggers. As time
passed there were many reunions here OF
"the Blue and the Gray" and they were
nearly always productive OF good end
rarely of harm. Only once was there any
.kicking" at the exhibition of the Con
federate ba;tle-fag in the professions that
Che Jolly veterans organized. Those who
had been closest up 10 that flag in war
were OF all men the least disposed to object
10 il in peace. There We're exceptions OK
course, but this was the rule. But now since
commander PALMER has issued general
order prohibiting his men from Joining IN
,parades where "the rebel flag" Is dis
blayed these reunions have been brought
70 an end.
For Confederate veteran to be ashamed
of his flag would be as unnatural ne for q
mother to be ashamed of her child be-
kcause that child had suffered adversely.
We take il that no Confederate camp of
veterans would parade in procession
where it could not carry its flag. If there
Is no place there for the flag there can
De no place there for the Confederate vete-
San.
Such is the predicament in which General
RsLsYRs order has placed "the Blue and
The Gray" There can be no more of these
iiont professions of veterans as veterans;
but when the Grand Army of the Republic
members come down here in September
there isn't the slightest doubt at all that
the citizens of Richmond will give them a
pleasant welcome, and make good ar
ranpements TO enable them 10 visit the
battle-felds.