The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-08-02
A RATIFICATION MEETING.
Camp Van Dervoort Tie Scene Of An Enthusiastic
Gathering.

Gathering.
After the adjournment of the Encampment
on Thursday the delegates proceeded to Camp
Van Dervoort where grand ratification meet
ing was held III the evening. About $50 p. m.
three carriages arrived at the camp, containing
Commander in Chief Van Dervoort, Com
mander-in- Chief-elect r. B. Beath Corporal
Tanner, Surgeon General Ames, Governor
Grant Adjutant General Shepherd, General Ii.
A. Barnum, Governor Tabor and wife. These
distinguished personages were received at the
Camp Headquarters by General A. 2. Curry,
Senior Vice Commander of the Department of
Colorado, and a general introduction ensued.
Meanwhile, the National Guard and the vet
Grams commenced forming for dress parade. the
former under the command of Colonel c. A.
Hawley, Lieutenant Jackson, of company f,
acting as Adjutant. The dress parade was
very imposing affair, and was followed by
march. The moving procession was reviewed
at the grand stand by Governor Grant and
General Shepperd, and at the Camp Headquar-
tiers by Commander-in Chief Van Dervoort.
Immediately after the review the Commander
ln-Chlef and party proceeded to the grand
stand in front of which the State troops and
veterans formed in platoons
An informal meeting was then opened by
Chief Van Dervoort, who said:
COMMANDER VAN DERvooRT SPEAKS.
to be with you this evening, and to witness this
grand commingling of the Grand Army and the
National Guard When it was proposed that the
National Encampment should be held at Denver,
IL was feared by many that it could not be made
success and yet find there more veterans
sembled here than ever gathered at any previous
Eneampment. We have met and rehearsed the
scenes long gone. We have again united and in
terehansed the "reminiscences which recall the hard
ana eVer-to-be-orgotten experiences OF the past.
We have had here for the first time the good women
OF the Order to cheer and help the Grand Army of
the Repnpe III its grand work. 1t has not fallen
TO my lot to have the pleasure OF spending much
time with you as WANTED TO. 1t has been my GUS
tom to inlngle as much with my comrades as pos
slbly could, but the dutes and aborS of the Ma
tlonal Encampment have taken my entire time
ana attention so completely that have had to
forego one of the greatest pleasures offered on my
visit. But the Enoanpment is now nearing its
close, and and the delegates then be here and
participate i'll all your parades, Camp-fires aud Re-
unions. The Centennial State can claim the organ
lz1tlon OF one OF the grandeS associations that has
ever been formed III connection with the Grand
Army--the Ladies' Auxiliary They have joined
hands to prevent the soldiers of the Nation from
wanting the necessities of life. In the past they
have cheered the soldier on in the performance OF
ms duty to the Nation, have relieved the pain of
the wounded in the hospitals, and closed the eyes
OF the aylng: And here in Denver this association
plants Itself IN the ranks of the Grand Army fact
from which my heart derives the most ardent pleas
ufe. ihey never forget our deeds IN the held, and
they VIII never cease to do ali IN their power to
Keep the memory of those deeds fresh in the minds
OF the Nation and of the children that viii follow
US Here stands the National Guard OF Colorado
an organization that would reflect credit upon and
excite the pride of any State, and whose reputation
Is no longer confined to it's State, but which will
rom TINS time be national fame. Here they
stSi the protection of society and the preseryers
OF peace, and behind them stand the veterans who
nave STOOD and who will ever stand by the flag
which is the embem,of the honor and the liberty
OF our country whenever 1t shall be menaced
rrehss and comrades, this IL the closing scene OF
my adnltnlstratlon of the affairs OF our Order. To-
morrow Will lay down the insignia of my station
ana Coinrade Beath Will take up the work where
leaVe oil, and II had had the power to choose
my successor, would have marched with out
stretched arms and have said, This Is the man"
at seventeen National Eneampnents he has at
teiucu, ana at seventeen Eneampments he has been
the ne ana soul and spirit OF the Order. lie VIII
be found strong protector of the honor and an
uhtirlng WORKER for the progress OF the Grand
Army OF the Republic am grateful for the kind
OF your chief Office has been of uneeasng toll
and oil extraordinary exertion, but would not blot
out the record OF that year for lifetime of pleas
ure God bless each and all of you in fraternity,
charity and loyalty.
GENERAL BEATH's REPLY.
Amid rousing cheers the Commander-in-
Chief turned and introduced his successor, Com
rade Robert B. Beath, of Pennsylvania. Com
rade Beath said
am sorry that am not blessed with the cast
IRON throat and physique OF Comrade Van Der
WORT that l might say TO you all that which my
heart dictates come from what was during the
war the most hosptable city in the Unon-the
good Old Quaker city of Philadelphia; the city
which refused nothing that could aid and cheer the
soldiers who We're marching to the front IN their
country 8 cause and which left no means untried
for the relief and comor. Of tie veterans who re-