Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-21

my stan. In every department have visited
1t was gratifying to notice the interest and en-
thusiasm manifested BIZ the comrades for the
welfare Of the order and while the whitened
locks and furrowed cheeks Of many marked the
advance OF time. the lapse Of years has not
cooled their fervor for the flag or their deter
mination to hold on high the standard OF our
order, and while we have sustained many losses
py death and suspension, our greatest loss
comes from delinquent reports; nevertheless,
take great pride in saying to you that the re-
ports still show an increase for the year.
LOUISIANA AND MISSISSIPPI.
had hoped that the action Of the twenty
nth national encampment at Detroit would
have settled all existing differences in this de-
partment, and would be relieved from the I'M
pleasant disturbances encountered by nv
predecessors. Up to the time Of this meeting
my predecessors had kindly exercised dis
cretlonery power and permitted posts from
to IL to make their reports and pay their dues
direct to national headquarters. But the de-
clslon OF the national encampment this
question was emphatic and no shadow of I'M
certainty any longer remained. The encamp-
ment In passing upon the subject did 1t in the
following clear and unmistakable language:
An organization which from its birth in De-
catur, ILL.,, in 1866, to it's silver encampment,
has never turned from its doors any deserving
comrade on account of his nationality. creed or
color during that fierce struggle
houlder to shoulder comrades tried. 1t is
too late to divide on the color line. man
who is good enough to stand between the
flag and those who would destroy it. when
the fate of the nation hung trembling in the
balance, is good enough to be a comrade in any
department of the Grand Army of the Repub-
lie. No different rule has been or ever viii be
recognized by the survivors OF the army and
navy. No department should ever be estab-
lished for any color or nationality. That it
would be inexpedient to authorize the COM
mander-in-chief to organize new or provisional
departments in any state where department
already exists" This question has tested the
patience, skill and endurance of my predeces-
sors in their efforts to bring about an amicable
adjustment Of the differences existing in this
department between the white and colored
posts. but every effort had ia led. 1t had cost
the national encampment more money. time
and energy through the exertions of comrades
sent into this department to check the progress
OF the growing mischief than all other depart
ments combined, from the inception of the
order to the present time. But when the Of
ticers Of this department absolutely refused to
obey the rules OF the encampment had no dis
cretion to deal with either their motives or
reasons assumed in their refusal. The duties
OF the commander-in- chief are clearly de-
fined in section /, article 6, chapter 4.
of the rules and regulations. Posts
from nine to seventeen reported to national
headquarters that at the annual meeting of the
department Of Louisiana and Mississippi, held
in the month Of February. they were refused
admission or representation, although their
dues were rendered and declined They then
forwarded their reports and dues to national
headquarters. The attention of the depart
ment commander was called to the rules Of the
order and he was directed to recognize posts
from nine to, seventeen. This he declined
to do. Under date of March 3, 1892. in
general orders No. l. from headquarters
Don - I ntcfan md .L.
department commander issued the following:
Tho commander-in-chief has ordered that
these posts be recognized. This order the
council OF administration. under full sense of
the gravity of the act, and aware of the possible
consequences of their refusal to comply, de-
cided that they could not conscientiously
obey-and the department confirmed and
ratified their action" Two alternatives
now confronted me. Were the representa-
tives of eight posts in Louisiana and Mississippi
to rule, or should the voice Of tine majority of
nearly 100000 comrades govern the affairs of
this great order2 The one meant disruption
the other that the dignity and laws of the order
should be maintained. The obstinacy, which
at first wore an aspect of legitimate effort pro-
posed no longer to Yield to the laws Of the
order, but developed into open defiance and
revenge. II the officers OF this, department
were unwilling to abide by the rules of the
national encampment it was their privilege to
resign and permit others to be chosen who
would, but they had no right to attempt to
thwart the action of the national encampment
by an effort to bring about dissolution of the
department by an illegal act.
Under date OF April 20. in special orders No.
5, suspended the department commander and
placed in command Senior Vice Commander
Durkee, with instructions to recognize the
posts from to II, and report to these head
quarters not later than May Is. Under date of
May IL he acknowledged receipt Of the order
and said: mo application has been made since
the meeting in February from posts to IL.
Should they make application will report my
action"
THE DEPARTMENT COMMANDER SUSPENDED
Comrade Durkee having failed to comply
with the order from national headquarters, by
special order No. 8, May 20. l suspended him
and placed Comrade Miller the junior vice. in
command. The assistant adjntant general.
Comrade Keeting replied by telegraph that
Comrade Miller considered himself no longer a
member of the der, the department in
special encampment had voted to surrender the
department charter. All that human fore
sight could do under three administra-
tons to avert the impending conflict by
persuasion and advice had been exhausted. and
If the elimination of this vexed question had to
occur under this administration. it were better
that it should be met. rather than to leave it as
legacy to my successor. No issue can be
anticipated from discords in an organization.
Where they are at issue amongst themselves
opportunities are caught for mutual injury,
and the sooner vital issues settled the better
it is for the organization. The first duty of a
soldier is obedience. Men frequently talk of
the necessity o. things and blame circumstances
for the consequences OF their own folies.
Every soldier has Learned by the experience of
actual service that unless rules and discipline
are maintained an organization degenerates
into mob. Its success is essential AT all times
and can only be conserved by maintaining the
integrity Of its laws l was advised to call
meeting Of the council of administration
for consultation and advice, but upon refiec-
ton / regarded it useless expend-
ture OF money to subject the national
encampment to another large expense by call
ing the council together The council under
my predecessors had already passed upon the
question and agreed that they had no authority
to settle the existing troubles in this depart
ment and the action Of the national encamp-
ment left nothing to the discretion Of either the
council OF administration or the commander-in-
chief. No action of the council of administra-
ton could have changed my views as to my
positive duty in the matter, and felt that il l
was not prepared to do my duty as saw it
was in no sense fitted for the high position to
which had been chosen by your favor. did
my duty and have no apologies or excuses to
offer for my action. Whether I did right
or not you will judge and your Judgment
will unhesitatingly and uncomplainingly ac-
cept, for it was for you and in your behalf
acted.
The charter of this department was received
at national headuuartars Nav 1900 md