The New York herald., 1879-07-30
THE CAMP FIRE
The Grand Army Of the Re-
public at Ithaca.
RECRUITING THE RANKS
OfEceseekers Sat Down on and
Sent to the Rear.
icy TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD. I


ITHACA. N. Y, July 20. 1870.
1t is a peculiar feature of the summer encamp-
mont of the Grand Army of the Republic, which
assembled here amid considerable enthusiasm, that
before and after session the various democratic
rades exceedingly silent in exchanging poti-
cal views. while the republican comrades full
OF politics and anxious to ia k On this subject they
exceedingly buoyant and full Of fight and de-
termination.
THE ORDER NOT POLITICAL.
In the encampment proper. which held at
Journal Hail. after the convention had been well
coined by Mr.. s. D. Halliday. Corporation Counsel.
in behalf the citizens of Ithaca General
McQuade, who is tho department commander
replied that the citizens of Ithaca could
violence to their feelings by joining in this
welcome. Through the efforts of the Union soldiers
the government Of the country was now so firmly
established that 1t could Withstand any political
convulsion. Though the organization of the Grand
Army Of the Republic secret. as to prevent
intrusion. in tho same manner as camp is guarded
against those who do not belong there. its aim and
objects were OPEN There had been in the past
somewhat Of a prejudice against the Grand Army Of
the Republic, but the Order had been msrepresented.
The Grand Army OF the Republic is not political
organization. It is not connected with politics. and
if any one ever used it for such purposes he was
unworthy to rank with them. Fraternity. charity
and loyalty were the basis upon which the Order
worked among soldiers and sailors; not to tear
open the wounds of the past but to keep up tho
memories of the battlefield and to be good COM
rades. There was no vindctiveness in the Order;
neither was there disloyalty. but practical It
stands at the portals of the Union sword in hand,
ready to strike any one who dares to destroy
it. Loyalty. unfortunately frequently sarcastic
cally alluded to among the people; but it is noble
hold it. 1t would be. indeed. sorry day for this
country when it became necessary to defend this
noble Order against aspersions which could only
come from maligners slanderers.
HOW RECRUIT RANKS.
the singing of patriotic airs by the glee club
OF Ithaca all citizens withdrew and only comrades Of
the Order and delegates to the encampment
manned. The department commander then de-
livered an address to the comrades and the
rule Of secrecy in regard to its publication
was suspended. This done to convince old sol.
ders who not yet members Of the Order that the
Grand Army of the Republic is not political
ganization. I permitted to send you the follow
ing extracts from the Commanders report:-"We
would richly deserve failure If we neglected to
thwart mac achnatiou pcrvert the Order improper
purposes by dragging it down to the of partisan
politics. but believe that danger from these
is not to be apprehended. The vigilance of
comrades will bring to light any such
benign influences, and they become power
less when known. for they generally
detested. After stating that eleven new posts have
been organized in this State since the last emcamp-
ment, the commander proceeds :-"This growing
prosperity is not forced nor fictitious but natural
and spontaneous It is time, however, for MS TO OPP
crate ON the yet undeveloped resources COM
mand. The personnel from which we mus. recruit is
limited and is decreasing year by year There is
| war for the Union, as they drop out OF the ranks
faster and faster under the destructive fire of time.
suggests that the idea advanced to perpetuate
! the Order by forming junior class OF tho and
| lineal descendants of comrades OF the Grand Army
of the Republic is worthy of serious consideration.
SEND OFFICE SEEKER
'With the progress of years the services and
achievements OF those who fought for the Union
will in popular regard and political preJudice
and envious misrepresentation will cease. While
the sky 10 yet red with the reflection of the past
fct is the time to initiate such movement.
1t is there many who entertain
an honest aversion to anything calculated
to keep alive the remembrances of civil war,
which in their opinion should have been forgotten
as possible, in ortcr to secure "A complete
pactication of all the people. There who
object to any association founded on the war who
are opposed to the erection of soldiers monuments
and who even protest against Decoration Day. 40
having q tendency to resurrect animosties which
were buried under the declaration of peace. Tho
men who think so are. however, but small eontin-
gent of the great mass eligible to our franks.
would rather believe that the why New
York State does not contain more than
hundred posts is because numerous veterans
believe that this Is political organization.
or at best q mere machine for the personal advances
ment of its mo1nDers. 1t should DC our 10
move this impression by so conducting the affairs
OF Order to afford ground for the existence
this suspicion Send the office seeker to the rear.
to keep company with the snarling faulthnder aud
the windy parliamentarian and statesman.
EMPTY CHEAP POLITICIANS.
s'The greatest injury to the Order, however il
caused by cheap politicians who claim to control
the powerful influence OF the Grand Army OF the
Eepubc and traiiic in it with outsiders, whc ignor-
ant of the principles of the Order do know that
| lie is a fraudulent pretender. Sending him to the
rear would be insufficient punishment for this ur.
| t1x, araIn Hs a a
! uniform and drummed out OF camp.
The report then states that yesterday there were
40 inmates i'll the Soldiers Home, and AdJutant
General Nash subsequently congratulated the u
campment that there were no longer any soldiers in
the aim shouses of the State.
Post commander Barnum here moved that tho
commander be permitted to fornish his report to
the press publication, and stated. to prove the
necessity OF removing prejudices. that only last
large number OF the veterans of the old
Sixty y-ninth, New York organized post. and are
they been convinced that this WAS not political
organization.
tonirade Cieerc, Of Owego, stated that he saw no
necessity for such u resolution, thus platform
they all had joined. He for ono. was the blackest
of black republicans, and the worthy Coinmander
was q dyed-in- the wool democrat.
Committees having been appointed. they reported
after recess aud the Encampment for some time re-
manned in secret session. Among the most inn
portant resolutions brought up was ono by Post
Commander Tanner. OF Brooklyn. in regard to
Sidney L. Wilson, of Cattaraugus county, n. ", VINO
lost 10th legs at Gettysburg. had been doorkecper
in the United States Senate aud discharged by
Sergcant-at-Arms Bright the Sd of July. The
resolution requests senator Herman to secure his
reins tement. General Socum seconded the rcso-
luton aud it was unanimously adopted by arising
vote. A resolution to postpone the next annual
election from January to April l, thus retaining IN
power the present officers OF the department. for
four months longer, defeated by two-thirts
vote. The large representation from the rural dis
tricts caused it's defeat.
POPULAR RECEPTION
Throughout the day the LEADING officers of the
Grand Army received quite ovation ia Ithaca.
Flags are flying bands are playing and every hour
delegations arriving by trains and lake bouts
Among the principal officers from New York and
brooklyn General Slocum, General Barnum, Cor
poral Tanner. Major Forbes, Post Quartcrmastcr
General Vernon. Vice Commander Jacob Welsilg.
Post Com mmandcrs Scbcrt, Smith and Weltford. also
Aldermen Pcrley and Stewart. Who are post
niaiidcrs. aud Asscmblyman StegDan. This evening
there is general rejoicing and good deal or sere-
na,iing. Tomorrow. after the week of the encamp-
mcnt has been closed, there will be excursions on
Cayuga Lake carriage parties to Cornell University
and paradc the Park, ending with grand camp