The Washington bee., 1898-04-30
THE G.. A. r. AND THE COLOR
LINE.

On the 10th inst, there appeared IN
a local paper. brief mention that the
authorities of the Masonic Fair, in ex-
tending an invitation to the Union
Veterans Union, had distinctly stated
therein that 1t was intended only tor
the white organic atoms. The para
graph further stated that it was al
leged similar invitation had been
extended the G.. A. R. Department OF
the Potomac, that the u. V. u, had
declined, and the G. A. R., accepted
the distinction, though 1t questioned
whether the fact was generally known
among the G. A. R., men, and if so,
whether they would attend.
Pursuing an investigation into the
matter, we succeeded last week pre-
senting to our reading verbatim
copy of the invitation sent to, and the
reply sent from the u. V. u, repre-
sented by Col. H. L. Street, COM
mander-in-chief. We have not yet
quite got.to the bottom of the mat
ter, but from among a variety of State
ments more or less contradictory the
conditions appear to have been some
what as follows: That on the 4th of
March last, invitations from the Fair,
were sent to each Post of the G.. A. r.
from the City Directory as a guide,
which of course shows no "color."
Not being we'll advised as TO the u.
V. u, misaddreSsed and misdirect-
ed invitation finally reached the hands
of the adjutant of one of the COM
mands, and another member took it
back to the chairman of the Fair COM
mittee in order to advise him how
properly to address it. In the ensuing
conversation between the chairman
and the veteran, it was brought our
that one command of the U.V u.
was composed of Colored men. The
chairman stated that they would have
to be left out The veteran called at
tention to the fact that two Posts of
the G.. A. r., were colored and had
already been invited. The chairman
said he would at once notify the G.. A.
R, commander not to bring the color
ed men and sent a new invitation to
the proper head of the U. V R, with
the restriction as published by us last
week.
Commander Hendricks professed
much indignation and refers to his
record of thirty-fve years past to wit
ness that he did not connive at the
restriction, and yet everything appears
to bear out the original charge 1t is
clearly established that on the 18th
inst, marked copy of the paper ex-
posing the case was delivered at the
headquarters of each and every Post
of the G.. A. R., in the District, show
ing how their comrades were to- be
ost1aCiSed. Yet on the 22nd, four
days later, they fell in and visited the
Fair as an organization Commander
Hendricks says the Posts were all in
vited long before he received official
notice of the affair, but does not say
or state the nature of the notice when
it was receiued. 1t is claimed that the
first official notice received by him
was the notice referred to by Chairman
Morgan, not to bring the colored men
and in this event he had two notices,
and the allegations all appeared in
that case to be fully proven. We
would be pleased TO publish copies of
all communications reaching Com
mander Hendricks, provided he with
holds none, in the event of further de-
nial. The right of tesmony and the
omissions in his denial are at present
against him.
We have no desire to stir up ill-feel-
ing or strife, but fuller statement, if
it can be made, iscertainly due by Com
mander Hendricks.
The colored members of the u V.
u. of the U. A. X. and in part the
colored citizens of the District owe to
Commander H. l.. Street, hearty |
thanks for his prompt and manly re-
ply. If there are any colored veterans |
in the District free to do SO, they owe
it to themselves to get into the U. V.
u, by the shortest road and honor its |
true-hearted commander by loyal
service.