Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-08-18

Mason and Dixon's line have not here
t0fore been honorel. Nirginians are ever
generous and loyal. They clasp the hand
az an honest Zoe as readily and with as
much sincerity and c0rlisity Is they
do that OF the warmcst y frienls-aiter
the nsht is over In 1861 they went into
+ battle upon principle. and they Fought
/ unto the death. an iNG5 they lnid down
+ thclr arms ard since then no Common
wealth has been more l1va' more loving.
than that which bears as ner motto the
familiar words, "-io mper Tyranns."
ORIGIN or THE g. s. T..
Tho friendly relation. in this state be-
tween the veterans of The Union and
those Of the C0rfel ratio s.!e Of tho war
was really what brought about the forma-
ton OF Grand Army OF the Republic posts
in Virginia. r. was IN 1870 that TIE Nlr-
gsnia and North Carolina Division ~ the
Grand Army ~ the Republic was Or
caulzed. It's membership then WAS quite
small-in fact. not a great many mon
' soldiers had cast their lots amid the hills
Of the Ola Dominion, and the STAT" famed
for ite tar. pitch and tIrrsntine.' How
ever. the ranks steadily increased ara
the number u posts grow until now
the Grand Army 81 the Republic IN this
department boasts 0f an active member
shin OF more than lG-t There are also
many Federal veterans who have not as
yet associated Themselves with any az
the posts but who watch their WORK with
great eacerness. ana VINO participate IN
nearly all Of their celebrations or re-
unions Every annual meeting o. the de-
partmaut attracts many wearers Of the
blue who are not Identified lu q business
senec with the sessions, but who are
associated with il by the ties OF sentiment
and affection.
RELATIONS WITH CONFEDERATES.
one striking feature OF the Grand Army
Of the Republic posts in Virginia has
been their pleasant. even cordial relations
with the camps of Confederate veterans.
When lie Camp. Of this city. PLACED on
fOot its movement e. establish the brluti-
ful Soldiers Home. Just west of tho city.
Phil. Kcarny Post. q. 4. r.. took an
active part iu assisting 20 secure the
means with which this homo could p
founded and butt. and Us work in tits
behalf has been highly appreciated hy The
cX-Cuuf. lcrdtcs. not only of Virginia. but
Of the entire Southland The cE-Inionists
i'm this State viii extend - the veterans OF
the Couf,lcEtCy when they assemble IN
this city next May as hearty We.coin"
as wiz those who wore the gray and I'll
with L. at AppomattoX. There IS none
OF the old hostility. AMI the on" object OF
the posts and camps SD far 0s Virginia Is
concerned. appears % De the pcrpetration
of old memories. dear % those on tho one
side or the other. and the distribution ~
love and kindness among the weak who
fought with Grant or with Lee.
FIITY-TWO POSTS.
In this department there ara fifty-two
posts Phil K-arny Post. II this city.
is the largest and most influential ~ them
all II was organized IN juno. lSs2. ana
shortly afterwards TUNED It's attention
t. the ma i0n1l cemeteries IN tho vicinity
Of Richmond. These burial grounds had
been sadly neglected. In them were hun
drcds Of unmarked graves. The grass and
weeds were rampant. and there was 10
special attention being paid To anything
Very soon system was inausurated by
Phil kearny Post hy which these crme-
teres could receive proper care and atttn-
t!on-by which they could be visited each
year upon Dccorlti1n-lay and each grave
receive some significant mark OF respect.
The assistance Of some so posts Of the
Grand Army Of the Republic was soon
secured IN this connection, and the Wo-
mems Relief Corps OF the posts all over
tho country were interested in the matter
Of improving and Identifying these spots
where sleep hundreds IL Federal sol
diers and year after year the Decorations /
Day exercises become more and more in
tcresting and attractive. Flowers. shrubs.
ana flags Of the nation are planted upon
the grave OF every soldier. and AZ one /
cemetery Phil. kearuy Post holds special /