The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-09-01
YETSoF TWO ARMIES
Kindly Relations Between G. A. r.
Men and Ex-confalerates Wit
messed by Mr.. Torrance.
Results in a Letter Urging Still
Closer Relations-Text of >
the Letter.

During his recent trip to the south IN
his official capacity as commander-in-
chief of the Grand Army of the Republic,
Judge Ell Torrance was received every
where by the people Of the south with
courtesy and hospitality. He was graft
fled to discover the existence Of a general
feeling of mutual respect and regard be-
tween members Of the Grand Army Of the
Republic and the ex-confederate veterans,
and to him, as head Of the Grand Army,
it pleased the ex-confederates to show
special evidences Of their friendly consid-
Grafton,
At the close of the annual meeting OF
the department of ALBANIA, held in Mont
gomery, Judge Torrance was honored with
a dinner and next to every comrade at
the table sat an ex-confederate soldier.
The fellowship, the judge says, was de-
lightful. On the following evening the
department Of Alabama were the guests
of camp of confederate veterans, and
the good feeling manifested on that occa-
sion and the patriotic sentiments ex-
pressed by all the speakers made his heart
glad. At Atlanta. he visited the Confed
crate Home shook hands with every old
veteran in it and left with such manifes-
tations of friendship on the part of the
veterans as deeply touched his heart
Everywhere he encountered the sentiment
that the war is over, that we are now
citizens Of a common country and follow
ers of common flag, that the old soldiers
could do more to bring the people of the
north and south together than any other
class Of citizens, and should feel it their
duty and their privilege to take the lead
in establishing cordial relations.
It was while in Alabama that he became
particularly interested in the condition
of the confederate veterans. There he
made the acquaintance of Colonel j. M.
Falkner, an officer in the Eighth con-
federate cavalry, and became interested
in the generous efforts of that large
hearted man to provide for the necessities
of the most needy of his old ex-confeder-
ate comrades. Colonel Falkner has un-
dertaken to establish soldiers home
near Montgomery. He had built there, at
Mountain Creek a number of cottages,
| each accommodating eight persons. His
scheme contemplates a hospital and chap
| ell, and a headquarters house, the central
building to be constructed Of logs, and
any one contributing SO may have the
| name Of some dead soldier, union or con-
federate, whose memory he wishes to hon
or, engraved upon a particular log. There
are $50 disabled and dependent veterans
| in Alabama forty Of whom are blind, and
| Colonel Falkner's effort is to provide for
| the care of these dependents as far as
! possible. His scheme is endorsed by the
1 department Of Alabama, G. A. R., which
|
| ing.
r Judge Torrance was so impressed with
| the opportunity here presented to give
! to the people of the south substantial evil
dence Of the good will of the people OF
! the north, and so touched by the necessi-
! ties Of the old veterans, who faced him
and his comrades in the war Of the re-
! bellion, SO confident that their unhappy
| lot will appeal to the sympathies and the
generosity of the old soldiers of the union
that he has addressed to them to-day the
following letter, eloquent with the mag
nifcent spirit of reunion:
| Commander Torrance's. Letter. :.
To the Members IF the Grand Armyfof the Re
public: In April last visited the departments
| of Georgia. Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and
| Texas.
My visit was in, every respect delightful one
but most gratifying of all was the cordial good
feeling I found existing between the union and
confederate soldiers.
1 affirm without hesitation that among the
best friends of comrades in the south arc
the surviving ex-confederates. This friendship
is based upon the mutual respect which goot
| soldier has Tor another, and had it not been fol-
the bronze button l would have been unable
to distinguish between the blue and the gray
for the cordial welcome extended by one wa.
equaled by the generous hospitality profferet
| by the other. In all my journey l found NJ
sectional lines sullen faces closed doors.
One marked contrast, however, distinguished
|
national government has properly made generous
:, provision for her defenders, but whatever ali
the ex-confederates receive must come from thei
more fortunate comrades, or from the municipal
ties In which they reside: and while the peopl
of the south have, in spirit worthy of the high
est praise done much to relieve their necessi
: ties, the nations wounds" have not yet bee,
fully bound.
!, At the close Of the war the southern peopl
were too impoverished to make adequate provis
Ion for those who suffered from disease an
yndo oy,d th1 ne,I$ HI>~A-
crate soldier ended his days In the almshous
; and was buried in paupers grave
) When at Montgomery 1t my pleasure t
!, meet Celonel J.. NJ. Falkner, district attorne
, for Alabama, formerly officer in the Eight
confederate cavalry, who for some time pas
has been earnestly directing his efforts towar
the erection of confederate home at Mountai
Creek, Chiffon county, Alabama. The erection
Of the first cottage was commenced April "