Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-08-29
The visit of the Grand Army.

To the Editor OF the Dlspdtcn' AZ,
AS this subject is stu up lor us
cussion. and as l have in print aireauy
sustained Colonel Cussons IN ms posa
ton would like to add a woru ou 49,
hsd written reply to Mr.. Wises
io.tar hut his prompt and manly re-
cantation makes a reply unnecessary.
While not an active" member OF
camn-Iee Pickett, or any o'he,
camn-I am in full sympathy with al
~ them. Our northern friends may
tal,e IL for granted that these camps
ro0act the opinions of majority OIL
orr hest people Especially our older
ooonIe, upon all military issues between
tbe North and South in the late war.
No one of any sense denies the right
~ the G. A. r. TO meet here; ana no
one questions our duty 10 theni anu
10 ourselves should they determine 10
come. But should they be urseu ~
come on purely business prihclple.
think not. 1t Is not a business pu'
patriotic. association, or when ap
prove. They legislate, as WEI. ss 49, 80,
brate. Their legislation might De ve,y
distasteful to US, but they have right
70 legislate as they please, though ID
tho canital of the late Confederacy'
cbould we urge them to come mere we
rvouId have TO be cordial, i care hol
how they legislate. ,,,o
Unfortunately. the Grand Army, IKE
all other great organizations, Is APT "
have some "black sheep" in us RANKS,
and under the bad influence OF PAD
wbiskey. might make things unpleasant
10 the best people on botn SIDES WI
Allen. the State says, VIII see that INC
colored element will give no trouple: 4
do not fear them so much as certain
class of white people. III colored people
are well-bred they know how 10 De-
| have. -, 49,
we have abundant evidence OF the
hostilitv of some OF the Grand Army
neople toward the South, and II may
cron ont here. and like dead ny In
| the apothecary ointment, spoil every
| thing Should this happen, the plame
would ant to fall on the inviting party
and lead to farther alienation
accented and heartily enjoyed the
invitation of the Pennsylvania Regiment
10 Gettysburg, at the first reunion ~
was cordial and in good faith. It's OBJ.
iect was to promote fraternal spirit Vi
reunion. $500. ona
The speeches OF Colonel Mccaw ana
our gallant Colonel Aylett were ad-
D,irabIs and had a happy effect. But
however pleasant these social unions may
he we must not forget ourselves or our
principles and sentiments. we VIII
never agree about some matters, ana
time will and should not have any ten
dencv To make US agree. We VIII De as
far anart in 1897 as we are to-day. Inc
mernorv OF our struggle will be as dear
~ us then as now. The justice Oh our
cause will be Just as Transparent as now
we do not only think we were rlght
but we know IT. We will submit "a
M indlgnity to our dead heroes. we
care not from whence 1t comes. III mar
serIouslv calls me a rebel /, with equa
gravity. will call him fool anywhers
and everywhere. and believe coulo
prove the wisdom OF my rather blun'
retort -
will not by any act, word. or deco
suhr,it TO the slightest shadow, shade
or tincture OF inferi0ity anywhere oil
anv time. We claim anywhere ana a
all times absolute equality with tn
hest people in this country-North
Fast or West-and will promptly re
sent any denial OF this claim THIS i
our creed A shallow man may say I'M
IL all sentiment A man without senti
rnent is nobody. Tell me mans sen
timents on moral questions, and l VII
tell YOU what sort of a man he Is. senti
ments are fixei opinions. and make vi
the man or the rascal.
, WILLIAM w. PARKER.
, Richmond, Va. August 20. 1887.