Freeland Tribune

Atlanta's Offer to the G. A. R. May Be Accepted.

ATLANTA, Ga., Feb. 5.—The Constitution publishes letters from many prominent editors of leading papers, republican and democrats, in the north and west, most heartily approving the invitation which has been extended by the city of Atlanta to the Grand Army of the Republic to hold its annual reunion in 1895 in this city. The expressions are unanimously in favor of the idea, and all comment on the fitness of holding a reunion of the Grand Army at the great center of the battlefield of the south before the ranks of the Grand Army become thinned by age and death.

Hearty letters of endorsement of the suggestion have been received from Murat Halstead, of the Brooklyn Standard Union; Frank Hatton, of the Washington Post; Col. Cowardin, of the Richmond Despatch, and many others.

The communications are all enthusiastic and show the unanimity with which the idea has been adopted by the men who represent Grand Army sentiment on the question. Mr. Halstead, in speaking of the invitation, says: "I fancy the invitation will be accepted as heartily as it is given. It is a fortunate and splendid idea. The interest in such an encampment would be unparalleled. So far as I have been able to consult the veterans they feel greatly attracted by Atlanta's invitation. If you do not want 200,000 of them down there again you had better not continue to urge them to come."

Mr. Hatton, of the Post, says: "It would be an innovation upon past precedents, but there is no reason why the innovation should not be made. It is the Grand Army of the Republic, is it not? Then why should they confine their encampment to any particular geographical section? A second invasion of the south in the name of peace and brotherhood would be an event in Grand Army annals worthy of immortal commemoration and honor."