Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-08-26
THURSDAY. AUGUST 26, 1897.
THE GRAND ARMY INVITATION.

A member Of the Invitation Committee
of the Young Mems Business Associa-
ton has sent us the subjoned commu-
nication. written in behalf of his asso-
ciation: rsunt 80 1iAnn1y,.1.z
Richmond, Va. August -, 1871.
To the Editor of the Dispatch:
I have read from time TO time your
editorial notes and comments and the
articles of your correspondents on the
action of the Young Mems Business As
ISOLATION I'm extending an invitation to
the Grand Army of the Republic TO hold
their encampment I'm Richmond in 1899,
I'm which you seem to endeaVor to make
Il appear that the movement meets with
unanimous opposition, both on the part
of our own people and Of the Grand Army
of the Republic themselves
/ have seen in your columns the Grand
Army Of the Republic characterized as
paupers who would spend no money
here. and who would bring their rations
with them. l have seen II stated that
of the whole number who would come
here not twenty would board at the
Jefferson Hotel. l have seen from time
TO time the color question raised and
brought forward with most uncalled-for
prominence, when every man in our city
who has spent any time with northern
and western people knows that that ques-
ton would not be treated any differently
here than 1t isstreated in any OF our
larger cities.
We have seen 1t stated that the Young
Mems Business Association would be-
come tired, dead tired" entertaining
the crowd that would come here on that
occasion when no one knows better than
they do themselves that it is big
work. and "A tiresome work; and it is
certainly nothing to the discredit of
these young men to persevere in the face
OF opposition and in spite of tiresome and
heavy labors for the honor, prosperity,
and advancement of our city. 1t Is
characterized as purely money
making scheme" and "nickel-gathering
enterprise" when every one of the com
mittee is moved by the purest of mo-
tives, and each one feels that he would
give heartfelt thanks II he could be in
.auential at the close Of this nineteenth
century In bringing about reunion of
these two great sections OF the country
the accomplishment of which must
surely reflect great credit upon the whole
nation. Your correspondents may call it
pure "bosh," speculation" or whatever
they think best, but such attacks are
not just. Nor is IL just TO attempt 10
:. ridicule General John b. Gordon, who
in time OF war, did as brave and valiant
service for the Confederacy as any man
now alive. and in time of peace has nobly
Fought TO obliterate sectional luminosity
and aid in the material development
and advancement of his native South.
have read in your columns that "this
whole movement was commenced and is
belng prosecuted on a false and wrong
basis. and the foundation being i'm
perfect, the whole superstructure at
tempted 10 be. reared on il must be
faulty This purports TO be an invita-
ton from the Richmond people etc"
False and wrong are strong words, and
yhould be used with more discretion
The invitation is extended in the name
pf the Young Mems Business Associa-
lion, and is endorsed by the City Coun-
ell, the Board OF Aldermen. and the
Mayor OF the city. That is the basis on
which the committee stand, and there Is
nothing false about It.
Who has asked the people of Rich
mond 10 throw open their doors proms-
cuousiy to these people, or who has
asked the hotels OF the city Ia entertain
eolored guests along with whites? Ii
was not asked OF Louisville: II was not
asked OF Buffalo, and Will not be asked
Of us.
The Grand Army OF the Republic mum.
Der In the organization men Of wealth
and prominence, men who have done
iervce for their country and who would
Adorn any social sphere In which they
may be found. and there are hundreds
OF families In our city who would have
friends among them. whom they would
be willing and anxious To entertain. But
our association does not ask any on,
TO entertain them privately.
Another correspondent states thai
about &C ,000 persons would attend the en-
eampment in Buffalo, when II is wei
known throughout the country that Buf'
faio has been making plans 10 entertain
10000. That among that number there
VIII be many who viii be entertained In
tents and seek cheaper hotels there Il
no doubt, but II Is preposterous to sup