The National tribune., 1882-06-10
Honor Where Honor is Due.


weeks distant, and the preparations which
our Baltimore friends have been making
for the reception and entertainment Of the
Veterans are nearly, if not quite, completed.
As we have hitherto taken occasion to show,
the programme of festivities which has been
arranged for the visitors is of the most at
tractive character, and nothing is likely to
he left undone that will minister to their
pleasure. Our neighboring metropolis is
noted for her conservative spirit, but upon
occasions her citizens are wont to display as
much enthusiasm as can be found in any
Western city, and it is no exaggeration to
say that no event of recent years has so
! deeply stirred their feelings and awakened
| their interest as that of the 21st of June
The Grand Army is heavily indebted to
! them for the efforts which they have put
forth to make the coming Encampment
| great success. 1t is to General Ross, Com
mander Of the Department. that the credit
of having brought about this gratifying state
of things is, however, chiefly due. Others
have rendered the most generous assistance
in the work of raising subscriptions arrang-
ing for the lodging of the visitors, and de-
vising entertainments in their honor, but it
was through the personal exertions of Gen
eral Ross that the interest Of the people Of
Baltimore was first cordially enlisted in
the event and their aid practically secured.
The work of organization always the
most difficult in such an undertaking.
fell almost entirely upon his shoulders,
and it is to his un1agging zeal, his good
judgment in selecting his lieutenants, and
his great personal popularity that the sue
cess which has attended it must be ascribed.
To inspire enthusiasm in others, one must
put his whole soul into the work himself,
and that is Just what General Ross did at
the start, so that even those who were in
clined to hold back at the first, found them
selves irresistibly drawn into the undertaking,
and ultimately became as enthusiastic as he.
Sin the hands of a less sanguine or determined
manager, the Encampment would have ex-
cited little or no interest outside of Grand
Army circles, and instead of a magnificent
Reunion of eX-soldiers of both armies, such
as is now assured, we should be looking for
ward now to an ordinary business convention
of delegates from the various Posts. What eff
feet this remarkable Reunion will have upon
the future of the Grand Army, remains, of
course, to be seen, but we cannot help think
ing that it viii prove powerful stimulantt to
its growth and development. 1t will awaken
fresh interest everywhere among our ex-
soldiers in the organization, and impel many
to unite with it who have hitherto held aloof
The fTaternizing together of the veterans of
both armies, ard the absence of anything
approaching political purpose in the gath
ering will also elevate the Grand Army in
the esteem Of the country at large, and dis
arm its enemies of prejudice. Perhaps some
Of our comrades may he disposed to regard
this result with indifference, being well con-
tent with the present fame Of the Order, but
in our own judgment it is of the utmost i'm
portance that the general public should be
made to understand and appreciate, in all
their original nobility and benifcence, the
true purposes and objects OF the Grand Army
As our veterans grow gray and feeble, we
want to see them more and more closely en-
compassed by the affections of their country
men, and instead Of losing strength with
time, we hope to see the Grand Army be-
come more and more potent link to bind
the country to all that is glorious and in
spring in its history. The Grand Army
viii have only partially accomplished its
missien, if its patriotic spirit shall fail to re-
troact upon the sentiment of the Nation at
large. We believe, as we have said, that the
coming Reunion at Baltimore will make a
profound impression on the country by
reason of its broad, catholic character, and it
lis a cause Of great satisfaction that the man
agement of that event has fallen to the lot of
SO masterful an organizer as General Ross. A
brave soldier, good citizen, and devoted
comrade, he is the type of man that the
Grand Army delights to honor.