Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-05-11

Matters.
MASSACHUSETTS.
Boston, May 10.-The national convention
Grand Army of the Republic met this forenoon
in the great hall of John A. Andrew encamp-
ment, post Is. Gen. John A. Logan, command
er in Chief presided, and the following members
OF his staff were present: DIR. VIM. T. Collins,
adjutant general; Col. Timothy Lubey, quarter
master general; Gen. N. P. Chapman, judge adj
Vocate general; DR.. Samuel A. Green, surgeon
general; Colonel John NJ. Woodwork, aide-de-
camp; Colonel Cornelius G. Atwood, aide de
camp. There were present delegates from al
most every state in the Union, many OF whom
were prominent officers in the war, viz: Gen
erals Owen, Faircbild, Robinson, White, Bar
mum, Stannard, Chapman, Fitzpatrick, Under
wood, Barnes, Bates, Sprague and others. The
convention numbered about $50 persons
The meeting was called to order at II - A.
NJ. Prayer was offered by the chaplain, Rev.
DR.. Quint Of New Bedford, and after that the
grand rounds took place, when credentials of
delegates were submitted occupying considera-
BILE time. Gen. Logan, IN his address, said:
The Grand Army of the Republic is not a politi-
cal organization, Instituted to serve the ends and
aims of any political party as is evident from the
simple fact that all political parties represented
in its membership. As citizens we take part freely
in national affairs each following out his own ind
vidua preference and political inclination untram-
meed by any requirements of the order. The pre-
dominance OF any political party or bias among the
members of any particular locality is so far as the
order Is concerned, purely accidental. So
tar as devotion to our national unity and to
the great principles of universal freedom and be-
neyolence make us political thus far we are polit-
cal, and no farther. We have but three objects
which are obligatory upon u.s. as members of this
order, and these are expressed openly and ayowedy
in the motto. of our creed: Fraternity among its
members, which shall bind them together in one
great brotherhood; the exercise of charity in its
broades of liberal distributions to land sym.
pathy for those in want or distress; and unwaver-
lOValtU and ffc
pies, coupled with determination to maintain its
integrity unimpaired. These, and these only are
fhe objects to which those uniting with us pledge
fidelity. There is nothing in these subVersive of
good order, promotive of faction, or Injurious to
the public veal or national prosperity nor anything
in these incompatible with the duties of good cit
iZen, the purest morals or strictest religion
The general recommended the total abolition of
the three grade system, as bearing hard upon vet
secret sessions, which had given the disoya press
opportunities for denouncng the order as political
and he advised simplification of the form of re-
ports to save unnecessary work for encampment
officers. He stated that Justice had not been done
the soldiers by the national senate, though the
house OF representatives has three times passed
laws equalizing bounties. The homestead law had
also failed in the senate, and he hoped the influence
of the order would be felt, at the next session. to
secure homes for numerous soldiers in the middle
and eastern states, who were ready to avail them
selves of the privilege which was their due. Gen
Logan closed by positively declining reelection.
AT the afternoon session it was decided to
postpone the annual election until Thursday.
Committees were appointed to consider the rec
concentrations of the commandern-chief A
Geographic dispatch was received from the ma
tonal peace league, in session at New York,
congratulating the peace encampment of the
grand army of veterans on an era of lrelief
from strife, and asking them to use their infu-
ence to prevent the occasion for any future war
encampments. Fhe following was voted in re-
ply: "Your congratulations are reciprocated.
The Grand Army of the Republic are determined
TO have peace, even if they must fight for it,"
The reception and banquet in Fanueil hall
was attended by the delegates, and many dis
tinguished citizens were present as guests.
Three hundred and siXty-fve plates were laid,
and ladies filed the galleries. The hall was
profusely decorated. The names of Washing
ton and Grant were displayed prominently on
the gallery fronts, together with those of the
thirteen original states over their respective
seals, and patriotic notices graced the walls
The music was furnished by Gilmore's band.
Chaplain Alonzo H, Quint offered PRAYERS.
Generals Burnside and Hooker were greeted
with vociferous applause, as they each entered
the hall after the company fell to. Gen. VIM,
Cogswell presided over the exercises that fol-
lowed the repast. He welcomed the guests of
the evening to Massachusetts and Faneuil hall
in graceful speech, eXhorting them to renewed
energy in the charitable work Of the order.
Gen. Logan returned thanks on behalf of his
command, for their kindly reception. After
eulogizing Massachusetts, as the leading state
in the revolution, and as among the most ener-
getic in the late war, he reiterated the leading
points of his address TO the order in the business
session, paying particular stress upon its char
liable features.
Capt. W. w. Blackmar was POSTMASTER and
the sentiments were read and responded to as
follows;
"0ur country"
The band responded with "America"
"0ur president; he who saved the ship can sail
her."
Responded to by Gen. Burnside who congrat-
ulated the company that the executive chair was
filled by a comrade.
Massachusetts, of her soldiers, she vel.
comes their comrades in arms"
Lieut.. Gov. Tucker, member of the order, re-
sponded. His remarks were in humorous and
patriotic vein.
"Boston-Who rocks us in the old Cradle of Lib.
erty."
Mayor CASTOR responded in a welcoming
speech, complimenting the heroes on the SPLEEN
doris of their achievements as defenders of the
flag.
"0ur Citizens-The friends who cared for us and
ours while we fought the battle of the republic"
Response by E. W. Kinsley of Boston.
"The battle above the clouds"
Gen. Hooker was received with fifteen cheers
and tiger. He had no words to respond to the
enthusiastic welcome, but he knew it came from
soldiers by the manner in which it was given.
He thanked them for it. In regard to the battle
at Lookout mountain, he said it had never been
understood, but he had submitted its leading
features to an artist, who would present it to the
public in its true light in about a year.
"The Army of the Potomac"
Gov. Fairchild of Wisconsin responded.
"The Cavalry"
Gen. Pleasanton spoke for the entire branch
OF the service, which he claimed at the begin.
ing OF the war, was caught at greater disadvan-
tage than any other arm. Its history was an
eventful one, and it owed its final success 10
American genius.
"0ur Volunteers"
General Charles Devens, Jr., said it was diff.
cult to realize that ten years had passed since
the alarm of secession was sounded, and he
took occasion to contrast the bearing of the peo
pie of America then with that of the people of
France, now under similar circumstances. The
nation that depended on the people, instead of
regular armies, to defend her in the hour of
trial, was safe, while the best of armies, unsup.
ported by the sentiment and strength of its sub
jects, was not to be relied upon.
From Atlanta to the Sea-"
Responded to by Gen. Fitzpatrick, who was
glad Of his first opportunity since the war for