Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-07-30
THE G. A. R. MATTER.
ny THE INVITATION TO
,.,,,.rTT's MEN WAS NOT GIVEN.
ngSTlON OF MONEY INVOLVED.
-,. accuracy Of the Dispntch's Es-
-,,.tVc Report Sustaincd--Author-
a., for Ground OF Phii"dciphi"
,.ttou. Therein stated.


.....r8 Va. TO the effect that the
ARMY posts OF this city had. by
~sfiscl 90 invite Picketts Division
......rate in a Grand Army festival
t,l here next week, is declared by
,,..l Grand Army officials to bo
-,.rv misleading. and its publication
s-.,rv regretted.
.-,r,Ircrt Grand Army officer said
.,. oftsrroon that few weeks ago
,......e. from the various posts IN the
., held "a meeting 20 arrange for a
,,...a,,s' festival at Washington Park.
.tls ,t,. The revenue derived was
-, 81, ,l.. central relief fund. At the
....,rv n delegate made motion that
r,.t,.,s Division be invited. The pro-
....i.- was approved but discussion
.r-oeI and the question Of The cost Of
,-..r,.iaine the visitors was brought up.
q. v.s shown that a fitting entertainment
-,s .ost nearly 5000 The local posts
.r 90 preparing 10 attend the Grand
r.mpmcnt at Buffalo, August 18th
.-.t and the contention was made that
r e.1l be inCxpedicnt 20 tax the posts
,.t the entertainment OF the southern
... "a this time. The question was then
..t fo vote. and nineteen delegates
favored the invitation. while thirteen
,.,sl against it, An Informal discussion
sroued. and the result was that the
motion was withdrawn and the matter
Dropped.
DISPATCH REPORT INDICATED.
PHILADELPHIA. PA. July 29.-(Spe-
,al-After reading the report sent out
t.s afternoon. regarding the refusal Of
the Philadelphia Grand Army posts
TO extend unanimous invitation
a the survivors Of Picketts Dl-
,son Of Confederate Veterans to
visit this city, your correspond
.nt Immediately sought the gentleman
from whom his information had been
originally obtained. and the result is a
complete vindication of the Dispatch's
exclusive telegram.
The afternoon report states that the
sole reason why the southern veterans
ara not 10 be invited was that Of the
expense involved on the Grand Army's
plrt. placing this cost at some 5000. 1t
was not az the bottom of the matter,
tut that the cost Of entertainment alone
i- responsible for the withdrawal Of Mr..
Th0mpsons offer
The statement that $1,000 created the
opposition was repeated 20 prominent
veteran at II o'clock tonight by the
Dispatch correspondent and he most
cmphaucally denied it. lie was i'm at
tendance al Fridays meeting, and ridi-
culed the idea that such slight sum-
or any sum Of money, caused the op-
uositiou. He said: Money did not once
enter into the discussion. 1t is absurd.
! rad IL from Mr. Thompson himself
that his plan provided that every dol
lar of exonse TO be incurred in royalty
entertaining Picketts Division survivors,
including transportation both ways, was
10 be borne by William j. Thompson
solely" That should dispose of the
money theory.
AUTHORITY FOR STATEMENTS.
In my dispatch Of last night Captain
John Freeman Mackie was authority for
tse news published. At midnight to-
night / interviewed him. and informing
him Of the afternoon report asked for
an additional statement.
THAT statement" no said, "is a dis
grace TO the Philadelphia Grand Army
sSsts The very insinuation that $1,000
embodied the principal cause Of the re-
flsal is an insult.
.Nr Thompson had most clearly
stated his intention Of footing every bin
of expense for the Confedcrates, and
as I stated TO you yesterday, although a
majority favored the attendance of
Plcketts Division survivors the opposi-
ton was SO strong. and the sentiments
expressed being at least none too friend
lv we preferred not TO invite the gentle
men at all rather than have them come
here and be insulted by those-be they
Few or many-who still cherish sectional
hatred.
you may deny on my authority, the
rarort that money caused this trouble,
and say that. though the majority Of
nineteen posts favored the project, yet
tHare was enough strength on the other
side 10 plainly show as that Picketts
Division survivors would run risk of
being unpleasantly received at the hands
90 some. Just how great a proportion l
C1 not say. In view Of these facts, we
determined TO postpone extending the
welcome until. perhaps. next year, when
more time Will be had for PREPARATION
MR. THOMPSONS MANAGER.
It was impossible to interview Mr.
Thompson tonight, but have already
obtained from his manager the state
mont that every cent OF expense incident
t1 tho reunion Of Blue and Gray was to
1- borne by him. including railroad
transportation and hotel accommoda-
ions.
The whole affair has been "a grievous
mistake but the above facts are from
men whose authority TO speak Is un-
Questioned.
COMMANDER FRAZIER.
Commander John w. Frazier. Of Post
50 10. A r.. said tonight there was no
question Of expense involved, for the
Iorr.t tor Of the park where the jubilee
l. fo boo held offered TO stand all cX-
i...e in connection with the proposed
visit cf thc sOutherncrs. "As matter
or f.t' continued Commander Frazier
.. motion TO exxnd an invitation 10
i'k.fs Division 70 be present was
crr ly "a vote Of Il post commanders
favor uf 10 to - against it, but IN
Vie" Of ne acrimonious language used
ono two post commanders, who
wore opposed 10 johnny Rebs,' as they
cleI tem The committee i'm charge Of
lh. jubilee concluded 20 disregard the
aHlmauyc action. and not invite them to
come To- Philadelphia"
PHILADELPHIA BRIGADE.
Members of The Philadelphia Brigade
nave expressed themselves as particular
y hurt by This slight put upon Picketts
ilFifpn as they recall how generously
colonel William r. Aylctt now the rank
ing OHlcer OF Pickctrs Division. came TO
Jhiiadephd and iccturod for the benefit
oi the philadelphia Brigade. refusing TO
accept amy compensation for his SER
wees. and the members Of the historic |
Old brigade are already considering what
they can do 10 remove the bitterness al |
ready created and which they fear Will /