The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-10-30

Editor Of The Times. Dispatch:
sir,-Believeing that your. arti-
Gle In The Times Dispatch OF Mon.
Camp Had No invitation" is unjust to
the Confederate choirs feel II my
duty, as the head OF the United Con-
federate choirs OF America to try, as
choirs wight, and define their position
in relation to the camp OF veterans to
WHICH they are auxiliary.
The first. part OF said article to
invitation" and reads as follows: 1T
Is significant OF the session of the
Grand Camp Just closed that for the
m first b time II the twenty years history
Of meeting" am Informed that at
petersburg no invitation was extended
next s Year rans Game nste du thEFoug s
the grand commander and It was fixed
by the officers. MS suggested In the res,
olutions passed at Norfolk. Would
T ahs 9 No aRs
were in existence then but your arti-
Gle would make 1t appear that the sole
reason for the Grand Camp having re-
to the Confederate choirs., This most
emphatfcally resent and deny.
Again, in your article appears the
,ioilowing: Sponsors and maids OF
iioiIVA Oe pTONlueu lOI, eCtdPG-s
roned. entertained and given every at
tention. And now comes this new or
ganization of Confederate choirs, will,
their female lieutenant-gene and
attentions during the session, of the
grand camp. 1t is the proverbial last
straw. and some camps which have re-
peatedly invited the Grand Camp to
have, hesitated in renewing the invita-.
ton" I wish it understood now, and
Tor all time, that the United Confed--
! crate Choirs of America was organized
veterans. and not for the purpose of
being a drag and an encumbrance
upon them. We desire no balls nor
receptions given in. our honor: we de-
out attendance upon the camp or Grand
Camp meetings; we desire no carri-
ages or flowers furnished for us; we
simply ask the privilege of attending
Grams the songs of Dixie Land, the
songs they love and long again to
hear. We are all daughters of the
fair Southland. and only ask the priv
spring songs of the long ago, our 10y
atty and devotion to the noble old he
roes, who struggled through the Six
ties, Song forbids glorious deeds to
Dixie" and Bonnie Blue Flag" live
in song, they will be echoed down the
corridor of time, giving TO generations
yet unborn, the same sacred love and
hdelity to the cause OF their forefa-
Tiers that now burns upon the altar
of each Southern woman's heart.
We have attended two reunions at
our own individual expense. The one
Norfolk in October. Not only have we
not been an expense to the veterans,
but during the Norfolk reunion we
saved the local camp, and the Sons of
Veterans also. from the expense of hav-
ing to provide a band for their meet
| ings. The Confederate choirs furnished
the music for the occasions. It is
needless for me to say that the choirs
| ton of the Grand Camp in indorsing
the choirs. with only one dissenting
| vote among the vast multitude there
assembled. is proof positive of my as
not only to provide music for the
meetings of camp and Grand Camp,
but we desire to aid them financially.
and to relieve them in every possible
way that lieth within our power. We
are ready to join them in their festiv-
! tiles. We wish to provide amusements
| for them. We are also ready to join
| with them in singing the solemn re-
huiem at the burial Of their beloved
dead.
The modest little jacket of gray
needs no defense. The privilege of
| wearing the same we deem a heritage
| tary tiles such as you quoted "Fe male
| ACKNOWLEDGEMENT surely costs the
| veterans nothing.
Hoping that in Justice to the choirs,
prominence YOU did the article which
called 1T forth, and thanking you in
4 advance for your courtesy, I am. most
! cordially.
MRS. j. GRIEF EDWARDS,
| General and COMMUNICATIVE Chief OF
the United Confederate Choirs OF
| America.
Mundny'. Case Postponed.