The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1894-03-13
HOWARD TALKS.
THE COMMANDER OF THE DEPART
MENT OF TUE EAST
FavOrs Atlanta for the c. A. R.-He Thinks
Atlanta the Most Suitable Place to Com
mand the Troops Of the south.

the Republic should be held in Atlanta,
said Major General O. O. Howard to Con-
stitution representative yesterday. au
thorize the use of my name in favor OF
that movement, and would regard SUCH an
event second in Importance only TO tne
grand review of the returning troops III
Washington in 1850
General Howard, who, as commander OF
the department of the east is on tour ol
inspection of the different posts, sat i'll an
easy chair in the private car OF Presloent
j. w. Thomas. He was surrounded ny
Major Charles r. Barnett, of the quarter
masters department; Dr. Van Valser' Oh
New York city; Captain Glen, Mr.. Darwin
Jones and others. The general conVersed
in an easy and pleasant mood. lie talks
slowly, but cordially, with d charming liou-
esty which makes the listener forget ms
rank exhibiting traits which bind men 10
him. seGEn
The subject under discussion was the Sc
lection of Atlanta as the headquarters OF a
new military department. 1t was as Il ol-
version from this that General Howard
spoke about the desire of the Atlanta peo-
pie to secure the next meeting OF the ma
tional encampment of the Grand Army of
the Republic.
IF you people want the boys to come
down, then, by all means, they should come
1t would be a glorious thing to see the coh-
federates entertaining as their guests lhe
who marched down this way IN loof'
1t would be a picture of reconciliation upon
which the old nations of the world would
look with wonder. 1t would be a 1raterni-
cation which would make the scene epochal.
l have no hesitation in saying that my
name may be used in bringing the mat
ter to the attention of Grand ComInahuer
Adams.
More than that" continued General
Howard. Il am down to deliver the ADDRESS
at the decoration services in Boston on the
Goth of May. Upon that occasion | VIII re-
fort 10, ti1a Jyh n
the Grand Army in Atlanta would accom-
pliSh. You have the railroad facilities, the
accommodations and the fraterilal spirit
which would make it the most memorable
meeting the Grand Army ever held. 1t IS
the time, the place, and the hearts of the
veterans on both sides would be warmed
up"
Returning from this subject to the selec-
ton of Atlanta as department headquarterS'
General Howard said:
81 do not see how separate department
could be made, unless it was preceded by
the restoration of the divisions. Let there
be Il division of the west and DIVISION Oh
the east This would suit the number OF
major generals which the law provides LOT.
The division of the east could be divided
into three observation-disclosures of the lakes,
one of the east and of the south, eacn
commanded by a briSadler general. ne
headquarters of the department OF the
south would naturally come to Atlanta, ana,
i
nently the place for headquarters Of the
entire division. New York is to one corner,
the lakes to another, while Atlanta could
be used to reach all equally well. My seiec-
ton of Il headquarters of the DIVISION Nouid
be Atlanta and were it not that 1 retire
from the service in few months | would
seek to have it right here. General Soho
field recognizes the location of Atlanta, ana
if the senators and citizens of Georgia who
are Interested in military matters would
take the matter actively in hand, there
is 10 doubt but that they would meet with
easy success"
4}einG asked about the progress OF the
south General Howard spoke very freely
THE temper of the southern people al
the way through he said has been eX-
ce,lent They have mantained dignity
W., does honor to American manhood
The. pronunciation of the people TO the
nev-2gtder of things was a difficult task, but
the southern people have proven themselves
equal TO it.
I'm the early years of this accommoda-
ton" said the general referring To ms
part as an advocate of negro education, Il
had somewhat prominent part IN trying
to make the new wards of the nation SEN
sibIe of the part they had to play. In some
sections schools and churches of cOlOrcd
people had a hard time of it, but finally the
southern people themselves took up the
task with such earnestness that no criti-
cism can be passed upon it. 1t is a mistake
10 suppose that / ever favored an ignorant
voting contingent, or that the people in
the north did We all want intelligent
voters and would make that the test
Nevertheless the ballot was given to the
colored man and the duty of every patriot
is TO fit them to exercise their rights for
the good of the country.
Let nao tell you something else, said
Genera Toward, you must not think that
hn that the autonomy OF the
states ssDuld be preserved is confined to
the soutir. 1t is as strong among the people
of the y ~ England states as it IS among
the peoI,,e of the southern states. The
speeches OF few political leaders do not
remove the fact that the people, away
down in their hearts, regard the autonomy
of the states as the corner stone of our
existence and that, under no consideration,
would they surrender 1T. The states Oh
the union are Just as hII na as lmey eyer
the boundaries of d single state can be IN
triEged upon.
General Howard reached the city early
yesterday morning and the private car III
which he came was side-traclled near the
Markham house. EARLY III the morning he
and his attendants We're driven out to ort
Mcpherson, weber an inspection OF that post
was made. The United States officers We're
all dress parade and the troops were
ready to receive the commander of the de-
partment The inspection the field was
short and military-ike, was quickly done.
Then the general and his advisory board
went through the quarters. The inspection
satisfied the general that Fort Mcpherson
was one of the best and most thoroughly
arranged military posts in his department.
with the exception of the hospital.
The hospital, while we'll kept, is not up
to the standard. and the medical member
of the generals staff not at all pleas
ed with it. and when the report of the in
spection goes in it will urge the erection
of better and more suitable buildings.
Outside of that feature, General Howard
was more than pleased with the military
post and was delighted with the condition in
which he found everything. He speaks in
the highest terms of the troops al the post,
and says the officers have the best regulat-
ed post in his department.
Immediately after the inspection. the
general was driven back to his car, where