The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1866-11-22

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The attendance ut the National
Convention of the Grand Army Of the
Republic. now in session in this city,
is not no large as many supposed it
would be. The rumors of many hun
dreds from Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio,
and other States, proves, as do most
rumors of the kind, without founda-
ton. Indiana is well represented,
and Ohio and Illinois have delega
tions respectable in numbers, but
there is not that outpouring of sol
diers that many anticipated. We
feel confident that only minority Of
the posts in the great Northwest are
represented to say nothing of those
that have been established in the
Middle end New England States.
This is to be regretted, as the
Convention is expected to organize
the Grand Army on q more substan-
tial basis than il has hitherto been
occupying. The action Of the Con-
vention yesterday indicates that a
complete and radical change in the
whole structure of the organization
including n new Constitution, By
Laws and Rituals contemplated,
and, from the remarks OF one Of the
committeeman on Ritual, it need sur
prise no one If the ceremonies Of the
Order are divided into three degrees,
and its workings materially compli-
Gated. Whether there be sound prae-
teal wisdom in this contemplated
change is, in the opinion Of your cor
respondent, exceedingly doubtful. Jog
Among the delegates may be rccogr
nized some of the most distinguished
officers of the army. Missouri reports
Gen. JOHN McNEAL, the recently
elected Sheriff of st. Lonis, Gen..
HARDING, Col. LAVENDER, and others.
Illinois sepds Generals JOHN M.
PALMER, PIERsoN, MosHER, Chef
LAIN, WEBER, OSBORNE, HuRLBUT,
Major STEVENSON, and others. Penn
sylvania sends Colonies KELLY and
CLAYTON, MoMloHAEL, and Major
FETTERs. Ohio, Generals PORTS,
TAYLOR, and WILLGcH. Iowa, Cen
eral VANDEvER and three or four
Captains. Kentucky, Colonies FAR
LEIGH, MILwARD, and BuRdE. Indi-
ana reports host Of names, including
many of her best officers. Ten de-
partments report delegations; few of
the departments, however, being rep
resented by only one or two delegates.
The President, Gen. JOHN M. PAL
MER, in his address, on taking the
chair, gave brief summary of what
he conceived to be the objects of the
convention. In addition to looking
after the comfort Of the widows and
orphans of fallen comrades, and as
sisting MANNED companions into posi-
tions, public and private, where they
might earn IN honest livelihood, the
General thought the order had ahigh-
er and more honorable mission. Du-
ring the war they did not fight be-
cause they desired to slaughter and
deyastate. They contended for the
principles Of liberty and free govern
ment, and their work was not complete
SO long as there remained a solitary
State in which the life of a soldier of
the Republic was jeopardized by the
avowal of the principles for which he
contended during the war. 1t was for
the Army Of the Republic to so con-
cehtrate public opinion, as to secure
the safety and peace Of every soldier
and friend Of the Government, where
ever floats the fao This sentiment of
the General was responded to enthu-
siastically. He also directed the at
tention of the Convention to the ne
cessity of such change in our sys-
tenn of military education as to pre-
vent the building up in this country
of military class. This sentiment
was responded to by a resolution
drawn up by Gen, WILLIoH, appoint
ing Committee to prepare a plan for
a general system of military educa-
ton, to be ultimately submitted to
Congress to be embodied into law by
that body.