Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-22
COLONEL cUssoNs COMES ~.

| btioic CORONER Duke could sDeak "
these resolutions the committee appointed
TO walt upon Grand-Commander cussons
entered the room. escorting the distin-
guished veteran, and other business was
suspended while the veterans arose anu
| saluted their chief.
Colonel Cussons was formally notihed
OF his election by the Chair. and that an
nouncement was the signal for another
! great outburst OF enthusiasm.
! Colonel Cussons said: IL won't say tnat
| was not aware that this election was
coming off, l tried to reach here in tiine'
| but I oversight myself. and drove mere
as fast as possible. Commander, year
| ago when this camp hOnored me D.
calling Inc to that chair / accepted tne
honor and the duties which IL imposed
upon me. was deeply touched by lt'e
honor. though my first impulse was -
set aside the burden laid upon me. 4
should have done so but for the thought
that the Grand Camp needed the services
Of one man who would devote himself
entirely TO the work Of combating the
teaching of alleged histories In our
schools. / believed that by the concen-
tration Of a single mind the weight OF
false history might be lifted from our
public schools" and he then declared
that he would dedicate himself to do
what single man might TO relieve the
South and her veterans Of the stigma
which had been placed upon them. Con-
tinuing Captain Cussons said: 10
not belittle the honor you would thfo"
to me. for there can be no honor greater
than to be empowered TO speak Tor Nlr-
eiuia. and there is no higher honor that
Won can bestow. But, Mr.. President,
when | entered upon my duties l soon
found that | was in error as to the mis-
leading of our children. / saw that the
veterans. the people. and the press OF thls
commonwealth were all enlisted in the
cause Virginia has met those FORCES
which for twenty years nave drawn 'ne
veil over the eyes of the people. IL hau
seemed to me that the eyes OF justice
were double bandaged-that her scales
were weghted-but l found That the con-
djtions were at work which Would re-
dress the wrong, and' as Tor accepting
that gavel and occupying that chair
loneer-why, have declared that L wouiu
not accept that chair, and / cannot he.
DO not, / beg of you. think pehttls lHs
honor you would do me. L have declared
IN set terms and positively that under
M circumstances would j accept the re-
election for this office, and i ask that the
Grand Camp do me at least the credlt
TO allow me to declare that l cannot and
will not accept It,
STORMS OF PROTESTS.
The announcement Of Colonel Cussons
decision. which was pronounced with
much EMPHASIS. created a mild sensa-
tion. and from every part OF the hall came
the answer. "You must; we have elected
YOU" Colonel Ramsey was recognized
and said that he had come to the meet
ing of the Grand Camp firmly opposed 10
the reelection of any man. but since
his arrival in Richmond he had changed
his mind because he had recognized the
heroic work that had been done by the
Grand Commander and the absolute
need that he should continue to pilot
the Confederates through the shoals OF
the history question. lie moved that the
camp should positively decline to accept
the refusal of Captain Cussons 70 act as
Grand Commander Of Virginia by
rising vote.
Several influential members OF the
camp surrounded Captain Cussons and
endeavored to persuade him 90 withdraw
his refusal. Colonel Kean, who was one
of the number, addressed the camp and
said he was convinced that Ii was not
in the power of the camp to move Cap
tain Cussons in his expressed determine
ton. and he asked Colonel Ramsay TO
was met with loud cries Of mo, no.;
Don't withdraw" from all parts of the
hall. followed by an uproar. After Il
had subsidized somewhat, Colonel RAM
saw rose and said: ut is the duty OF
subordinate to obey" Instantly Colonel
Cussons jumped to his feet. and said: II
accept the statement, Colonel Ramsay.
/ am Grand Commander here, and for
bid you TO elect me"
Colonel Ramsay then continued. He
emphasized the need for Captain Gus
sons TO continue TO remain al the head
OF the Grand Camps affairs until the
history question was more settled. John
Cussons is the man." he said "He is
the man Of all men in this State TO
carry this work to completion. IL he
is reelected he will stick 10 the work
until it is done. / refuse absolutely 20
withdraw my notion
Major Croker then said: There is no
mistake as to the wishes Of this body
1t has decided that Captain Cussons
shall be Grand Commander of this camp
He has declared positively that he will
not serve, and he thinks 1t would be "A
shame that he should go behind this
rash resolution on his part. Instead of
this camp being called upon to with
call its nomination, / call on Captain
Cussons TO recall his rash resolution. l
call on him as a soldier Of the cause
faithful always in the past of a cause
which now needs the best leaders that
we can get. / say to him, in our esti-
nation, 1t is putting his pride before
the cause we represent"
MUST STAY IN THE LEAD.
Captain Morton followed, and said: 81
want to remind Comrade Cussons of a
little incident in the career of the great
general whose picture is before us Oee)
when he would have ridden In the front
of his soldiers, they took his horse by
the bride and led II to the rear. and he
TO their decree. We now
bring Captain Cussons to the front, and
we want him to obey us and remain
where we have placed him.
DR.. Jones said: 1--WE want Captain Gus
sons as our commander. but il is not
right TO force him. He has his reasons
for his refusal. and under the circum-
stances | move that it is with profound
regret that we accept his decision in the
matter"
Major Randolph said he felt inclined
to move that the meeting should resolve
itself into prayer-meeting and pray that
Captain Cussons's heart should be
changed. There was no man SO well
fitted to guide the camp. He moved as
an amendment that Captain Cussons
should be given time to consider. and
that the camp should adjourn without
electlng a commander. II have known
him for thirty years" he said, "and l
<now that he never deserted, and he never
will"
MUST KEEP HIS WORD.
Colonel Cussons said II was not the |
duties of the post that he would shirk.
He had not stated his position ar all in !