Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-08-10
MuRAr uALsTEAD on THE G. A. II.
4 Northern Editor DiscournScs the
visit TO Richmond.
,oklun SUPERINTENDENT

Orooklyn Standard-Jhoh)
one Of the questions that will come be-
fore the Grand Army National Encafhp-
ment. to be held at Buffalo this month
will probably be that Of accepting an IN
vitation from the Young Business-Mens
Association of Richmond. Va. backed by
the Common Council, to hold the national
encampment for 1899 at the atoretlme
capital Of the Confederacy.
From all present indications 1t would
seem TO be the part Of wisdom and good
taste for the encampment TO decline
courteously and respectfully, but firmly
the well-meant tender Of hospitality from
the young bushes and bide more
propitious time.
As IT IS. the inviting city itself Is rent
over the question. While. as said, both
the young businessmen and the munich
pal legislature are enthusiastic over the
coming of the boys in blue as their
friends and guests, there is great deal
of opposition on the part Of the old bour-
bon element and a portion Of the press
which represents them. One prominent
body Of Confederate veterans, the Lee
Camp, refused TO endorse the propositon'
declaring it both inexpedient and I'M
proper" for them to do so. The other,
the Pickett Camp, was. after this result
not consulted. 4 prominent Confederate
one Colonel John Cussons, Virginia state
commander Of the United Confederate
Veterans, wrote a bitter letter on the sub
ject, intimating, in sarcastic language
that the northern guests would 'regdle
you 0he young men Of the South) with
their camp songs on Marching through
Georgia" and "The Sour-Apple Tree,
and "Sheridan's Ride Through the Val
ley"-a song. by the way, which seems TO
be new to the Grand Army Of the Repub-
lie repertoire and which exists, probably,
only in colonel Cussons's mind. The
doughty Captain OF a Thousand" is evil
IDENTIFY of the opinion that only southern
men know what is due to their hosts. lie
has much to learn-or to unlearn.
The chief difficulty really, seems to be
lest some posts composed OF the remnants
Of black volunteer regiments should avail
themselves, as usual, of the invitation,
and the objection on the part Of the
southeTners TO receive the negro as a
social equal. One prominent eX-Confede-
rate in New York, who favors the visit
of the Grand Army Of the Republic men,
says, however, that he docs not think
it would be a very wise move for the
Grand Army of the Republic to take with
them any Of their colored members,
adding: you could not expect that a
southerner would place himself on an
equal social plane with the colored race.
This was Mr.. Augustine j. Smith.
While others appear to endorse the pro-
posed invitation, the fact is only too APP
parent that the feeling is not unanimous
as to inviting the Grand Army men. As
TO the color question, the Grand Army as
a body has no control over the movements
Of any individual post in a case like this,
and could not keep back colored post
if it chose to 20. Nor have they ever
shown n disposition so to DO.
The Grand Army can well AFFORD "a
wait, and does not need to place itself in
the position Of thrusting itself upon any
community.