Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-03-16

OF THE TRIP.
One of the wards in the hospital attached to
the Confederate Soldiers Home at Richmond
has been neatly fitted up and serves as a me-
mortal of the fraternal feeling manifested be-
tween the soldiers who wore the gray and those
who wore the blue at the time Of the recent
Grand Army eacampment. This ward was the
| occasion yesterday of sentimental journey
from Washington to Richmond. undertaken BY
, a number of weli-known citizens. They ex-
perienced in Richmond in full measure the
world over.
the members of the committee appointed by
Mr.. John Joy Edison, chairman of the citizens
Grand Army encampment committee. to make
suitable acknowledgment to Lee Camp. Con-
federate Veterans Association. for the cour-
tesies extended by confederate veterans to
Grand ARMY men who visited Richmond and
vicinity at the time of the encampment.
The party that went on the pleasant journey
was composed of Mr.. John Joy Edison. ex-
Commissioner Douglass, Gen. H. Y. Boynton.
Gen Duncan $; Walker, Corporal James
Tanner. Messrs. Z. Y. Warner, Lawrence Gard
ner, Robt \. Parke, E. B. Hay, Isadors saks
and i. V. DeGraw.
While en- route the members of the delega-
ton we're the guests Of the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company. which furnished a special car
and, through Mr.. Parke. entertained the travel
ers in handsome style. The start was made
from Washington a little before noon. The
train was delayed. it was nearly O'Clock
when the committee alighted in the station ct
Richmond
They fell at once into the hospitable hands of
committee who just took charge of them ard
relieved them of all care from that moment.
This committee was composed OF J. Taylor
Anderson, mayor of Richmond; Col. Alex. W.
Archer. past commander of L. E. Lee Camp
Confederate Veterans: Lieut.. Col. A. L. Phil
lips. Commander James Pollard Of r. z. Lee
Camp. Col. John Murphy. Capt Frank Cum
ningham. Mr.. \. V. Randolph. president of the
Confederate Soldiers Home board: Capt. E. p
Reeve. Mr.. J. Cans. Mr.. Jas. I. Ferriter and
Mr.. Robt. Mcintyre of Petersburg, represent
ing Geo. H. Thomas Post, e. A. K.
A line of carriages conveyed tine visitors and
their hosts to Murphys Hotel, where COLA
ton was served. Carriages were then taken
again and after a rapid drive to points of in
terest about the city the party was taken TO the
Confederate Soldiers Home.
AT tbs CONFEDERATE HOME.
The buildings OF the home forms picturesque
group attractively located in ample grounds
about a mile ont OF town. This was the scene
of the ceremony for which the journey to Rich
mond was undertaken. The visitors received
the heartiest welcome from Major Charles. p.
Bigger, the commandment at the home, and the
gary-hesded and gray-coated old soldier.
First they we're shown 20 a room where
were displayed a large collection of war
relics. including Gen. Rober: E. Lee
military saddle and Gen. .'StonewaIl'' Jack
sOn's war horse. "Old Sorrel." with all his
traypinSs OF. The war horse is in big glass
ease. Re has been stuffed and mounted BY a
taxiderraist in a most life-like manner. "Old
Sorrel' spent his last days in life at the SOL
6lers' home, ard when he died his ina Sc was
reverentv preserved. Conspicuous among the
modern articles dispa, ed about the museum
are scores OF badges OF Grand Army posts left
a souvenirs By visitors from the north.
The visitors were ushered next into the large
assembly hall o. the home. where were assem-
bied the inmates of the institution to the num-
Der OF 11U. Many were crippled and many
we're extremely decredi. They wore the gray
uniform of the home. and on the bosom of the
blOuses OF some were displayed medals won in
service or badges of membership in tbs Con-
federate Veterans Association.
When the Washington committee had been
shown 10 seats fronting the assemblage several
young ladies' appeared with flowers and pinned
a rose boutonnle-e upon the coat of each. Mr.
Randolph then without ceremony introduced
Mr.. EdsOn-
Mr.. EDsoSs PRESENTATION SPEECH.
Mr.. Edison made speech explaining the OBJ
said:
Our visit to Richmond and to Robert E.
Lee Camp of Confederate Soldiers has been
contemplated fo- some time as being very
proper duty on our part and a great pleasure
To perform.
Upon an invitation of the people of the
national capital the Grand Army of the Repub-
lie held tneir swenty-sixlh national encampment
in Washington in September. 1892 1t was.
without doubt. the largest ass erlblage Of people
that has taken place in modern times. The
veterans o; the war looked forward and ex-
pec:e.: great lea -ure In revisitin2 the scenes
OF the War, the camping grounds. CAM
paigns and battle Fields. Prom the uni
yersai report from the visitors to the capital
on that occasion. both the members of the
q. A. T., their relatives and citizens. it was to
them in all respects an enjoyable reunion.
But there was feature of all that TRANSFERRED
that was unsurpassed in interest by any other,
out Of which has grown this visit of pleasure
and duty here today. We refer TO the many
acts of courtesy, attention and comfort ex-
tended by the veteran soldiers OF the confed-
eracy to the G. A. r. revisiting Virginia and
Maryland. The earnestness and cordially
manifested toward the veterans of the
Union army made an unusual and
a most favorable and significant impression.
The good reports that came from Rich
mond, led US to the determination that the citi-
zens' executive committee having in charge
the reception and entertainment OF the q. A.
Il. on behalf OF the citizens OF Washington
would indicate their acknowledgement high
appreciation and gratitude by a. visit to the
Robert E. Lee Camp for the purpose of pre-
senting suitable testimonial. After some in
quiry and consideration it seemed most appro-
pirate and desirable that We should fit up in a
proper manner a ward in the Confederate Sol
diers Home, provided for disabled veterans
Nothing else could find could express our
feelings and good will more appropriately.
While civil wars are the most cruel involving
they DO kindred and friends as antagonists,
the wounds are deeper. the bitterness more in
tense. slower TO heal and longer remembered
vet we feei We are well advanced into the time
or have fully reached the era when real recon-
citation should be complete and final; tina: we
should be one people. single in purpose. with
our faces turned solely to the future aiming
for and securing the highest degree of peace,
prosperity and happiness for all believing in
aad devoted TO our government the greatest
republic upon tine earth and az bestowIng the
greatest blessings upon the people.
In no country does there exist so great in
diyidnal liberty; much universal prosperity
and progress; 80 many happy homes: SO Little
want our native land. We need only to
visit other countries to appreciate what We
enjoy. Instead OF railroads and other lines of
transit running almost exclusively east and
west thirty years ago. there are now operating
and are rapidly being constructed lines o.
travel and traffic running north and south
thus bringing all the people of this nation.
north, south, east and west, closer together in
social and business intercourse, wonderfully