Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-21

large public gratuities given by the
North. il is at least within the scope OF
our powers to do something more tnan
has been done. An opportunity Will De
offered us on Friday next to Visit the
Soldiers Home, so that we can see wnat
has already been accomplished py tne
local camp of Sons-the building OF cot
tage, and the support OF veteran. IN
the winter OF their lives shall we see those
who surrendered the springtide OF their
hopes that they might stand up and look
at all men without shame suffer! your
commander has made the suggestion IN
his report with due Difference 10 the
wishes of the convention, and only seeks
TO draw out impressions from the men,
bers as how best to proceed.
A GENERAL DISCUSSION.
'If you will pardon the hint. / think our
best means TO proceed would be 10 nave
general discussion of each OF these
matters. and then committee appointed
TO consider them. The only reason nave
taken this method of bringing these mat
tiers before you is the absence OF any
committee reports. our finances have
been put off by me to the last, because L
dislike to mention disagreeable subjects.
We owe 5000 of debts and have S.oo 10
pay them with. In conclusion, say let US
hope for a brilliant future. Remember
that the Grand Camp of Virginia started
with a membership of forty. i believe
that We can so formulate our plans mere
that when the gavel falls upon the ad-
journment of this meeting we can go
forth with an assurance that not many
years more shall roll around before every
county and city in old Virginia shall have
a living monument in Sons OF Confede-
rate Veterans Camp 10 the memory Oh
those heroes who fought Tor ana lOVe1 ner
so well.
zone of the duties imposed upon your
Commander is that ne shall make an an
nual report of the condition Of the Grand
Camp and the work done by II during
his term of office. This duty has been
doubled at the present time, because at
our meeting at Winchester last OCTOBER
we were unable to get together quorum,
and so, per force of circumstances. the
old oficers held over. At that meeting IN
Winchester the following camps were
represented: X. Il. Lee Camp, OF Rich
mond; j. u. b. Stuart, Of Berryville; Iur-
ner Ashby, of Harrisonburg, and NJ. II.
Corse, of Alexandria, represented by r. 5.
Il. Smith, Ed. G. MartZ, and Aubrey
Bowie respectively.
"Since that time two camps have been
organiZed-one at Alexandra and one at
Stanton. What has become OF many or
these camps no one knows. The answer
of some OF them to the roll-call. to-day
shows that they are still living; that the
growth has been slow since the last re-
union your commander has been PAIN
fully aware. and the question has often
arisen in his own mind whether this fact
!
forced to answer, Yes because he knows
that the purpose of this organization is
such as must recommend IL TO every
right-thinking son of Confederate Vete-
ran. The time has not yet come when we
can say that we are ashamed to bear our
fathers name. Nay when that time does
come our hopes that the van Of progress
of this country will be led by southern
men must cease, and be buried with the
forgotten deeds of q noble and renowned
past.
CONSOLIDATION SUGGESTED.
"Our organization is a peculiar one in
this, that IL is separate and distinct from
the United Sons of Confederate Veterans.
While there has been very little friction
between the veteran organizations, ana
there prevails the best of good feeling be-
tween the two Sons organization, 1t may
not seem out Of place at this time TO
speak of consolidating them. However, |
do not think your commander should
make any comment In this connection,
but / should advise that this matter be
taken UP by you and thoroughly discuss
ed. The condition of our organization. its
growth. and financial strength must at
all times be one Of momentous impor-
lance to us. AS has been said before, the
officers of your organization have keenly
felt this lack Of interest. Even some OF
our members have not been aware that
the two organizations existed Let us not
despair on this account. That we
have made mistakes is 10 be expected,
formed, as our association was, among
the turmoils and attractions Of the re-
union in Richmond by men little ac-
quainted with each other. That misunier-
standings should have arisen among us
Is natural: that such Misunderstanding
should exist is unnatural. and I believe
that explanations can be made II our
grievances are stated. Let US. then. so
strive to bury these heartburnings and
differences, as not only that they no long
err remain. but even the recollection of
them be forgotten.