The National tribune., 1882-07-01
The Encampment.

the Grand Army Of the Republic Will long
he remembered as one of the most remark
able gatherings in the history of the Order.
Meeting for the first time since the war IN
a Southern city, the delegates experienceda
welcome the warmth of which equalled
even that which they were wont to receive
in the far North, and the festivities which
they found awaiting them were Of such
tempting character that they with difficulty |
found time to transact the necessary busi-
ness of the session. What with the attrac-
tions of Camp Agnus, the generous hospi- |
tality constantly offering by the local Posts,
the daily excursions down the Chesapeake,
the nightly display of fireworks, and the
private entertainments given in their honor,
our veterans well-nigh had surfeit of pleas
ure, and if they were not like Pat kilt |
entirely" they were at least left speech
Less
Elsewhere in these columns will be found
a continuous narrative of all that took place
during this delightful Reunion, together
with full report of the proceedings of the
Encampment itself, and an accurate sketch
of the career of the new Commander-in-C Chief,
and, as this is the only complete record that
is likely to be furnished in any form of the
events and incidents connected with
memorable occasion, cur readers and
scribers viii do well to carefully preser
1t is needless to say that nothing Of all
affords such cause for satisfaction to
NATIONAL. TRIBUNE IS the evidences o. ...v
rapid and substantial growth of the Order
which were presented in the report of the
retiring Commander-in-C Chief, General George
S. Merrill, and the progressive spirit which
animates the members as shown in the cleo
ton Of such an earnest Woodworking com
rade as Paul Vandervoort, Of Nebraska, as
General NerriIFs successor. 1t is clear that
new forces are at work in the Grand Army,
and whatever of lingering prejudice against
the Order remains in the public mind by
reason of past mistakes or blunders viii
soon be completely dissipated. Hereafter
the posts of honor in the organization will
not be portioned out as q recognition only OF
DISTINGUISHED services IN the late war, but as
reward of jealous and effective work In
building up the membership Of the Grand
Army itself, and it is quite likely that the
privates will win equal distinction with the
| generals in this test of activity and devotion.
! The splendid accession OF strength which the
Grand Army enjoyed during the past year
estimated at more than $4,000 new mem
bers-shows what can be done by organized
effort, and the prevalent sentiment at the
Encampment Enthusiastically favored the
sending to the front OF the comrades through
whose exertiong this great result had been
hrourht about. The total membership of
the Grand Army is now, doubtless, not far
short of one hundred thousand men, but
the material is az hand for q membership
Of many times that number, and active,
iudicious canvassing is al that is needed to
bring within the circle Of its influence the
" thousands of ex-soldiers and sailors who,
with or without reason, have, up to the
present time, held alOOf from the organiza-
displayed at the Baltimore Encampment-
the absence of anything like political animus
in the proceedings of the Order, and the non
partisan reception accorded it by the citizens
: of Baltimore-will greatly increase the
esteem in which the Grand Army is held by
the country, and create a new desire on the
part of such Of our late defenders as are moi
vet affiliated with it to participate in its
work. Certainly, in the labor Of recruiting
its ranks, the officers of the Order will have
the hearty cooperation Of THE NATIONAL
TRIBUNE, whose columns, indeed, have al
ways been at its service.
, The selection by the Encampment of Den
yer as the place for the next Reunion is one
g in which we heartily concur AT the out
e break of the war there was no such city IL
existence, but our returned soldiers, ex
f changing the rife for the ploughshare, haV'
J. made the wilderness to blossom as the rose
!. and Denver is one of their victories of peace
: Go where you viii in the far west, you vii
G find, alike in the populous cities of tn
S plains and the mining camps in the can
e yons of the Rockies, the veterans OF tn
IS Grand Army, now, as in 18G1-65, always a
Is the front. Fraternity, charity, ana loyalt
$ are as familiar words in the Department c
% the Mountains as the Department OF tn
$. Potomac and as civilization pushes its out