National Republican., 1883-05-18

charges, and are, by virtue thereof eligible to
membership In this great brotherhood Of SOL
diers.
As near as can be ascertained tho society
to-day consists Of 90 permanent aud pro-
visional, in all "a departments, with about
$500 posts, and a membership of over 100000
veterans.
There must be now surviving and remain
ing to be recruited and enrolled in the Grand
Army Of the Republic about 100000 citizen
soldiers, who rendered honorable service to
their country and received tho nations
plaudit.
In every hamlet, village, and township in
the north are scattered the heroes of the war,
who either have not had brought home TO
them the fact that there Is such an institution
as the Grand Army of the Republic or, for ono
reason or another, though entitled TO member
ship, arc not affiliated.
The average age of tho union soldier at the
average date of enlistment was 90 years add
to this the 20 years which have elapsed, and
the average ago of tho survivors of to-day Is
40 years.
Applying to the 1,350,OOO eligible survivors
the ordinary mortality rates for that average
it will be found that In 1890 there will re-
main of the old guard in round numbers but
100000, in 1905 but 1,11O000. in 1900 but
0i5,000 in 1905 but 75S,50O, and this is only
looking forward as many years as we must now
look back for tho events which called us to
arms.
These figures indicated startling paradox;
for when the Grand Army of the Republic shall
have reached its highest point of numerical
strength, prosperity, and usefulness, IL will
have reached its surest point of decadence--
grand crescendo, to be followed by alas too
rapid diminuendo to vanishing point-there-
after but a "reminiscences Within shortspace
of forty years from this time, of those who
remain, the youngest wearer ofa Grand Army
of the Republic badge will be 50 years old.
Instead of being as now 1 to o. he will
then be but to 1000 of the adult male popu-
lation of that time in tho states above ro-
ferred TO.
The Grand Army of tho Republic, for all
the beneficial aud kindly purposes of sold
ierly companionship, for purposes of fratcr-
nifty, and charity in its truest and broadcast
sense, for chorishing and ensbrining the
memories OF departed comrades, and holding
mp to posterity the example which shall in
spire our children and children's children to
loyalty and devotion to our institutions, is
practically tho only soldier organization
broad enough TO encrclc all who survived the
hardships of war and bear the honorable
mark of distinction given by the nation to its
dofenders-an honorable discharge; accessible
to all, and yet general through its depart
mental and national organization aud being
patterned after the great republic it saved, is
representative of all.
The comrade to whom fortune has beon so
unkind as to leave him but shelter, scant
food and clothes, and many mouths to feed,
may yet meet his fellows around the camp fire
of his post and live over again his army days,
enjoying the companonship of loved and
respected comrades, loved and respected by
them, and proudly carry that emblem Of VIC
tory, the G.. A, X. star and ribbon.
The Grand Army of the Republic my COM
rades is an institution in this country. Those
who carped at and criticised 1t, like those who
have vainly endeavored to warp and twist II
to personal and political ends, have ceased to
cavil. 1t is known as the one organization
which cannot be used save Tor the great pur.
poses that called il into existence chief
among which rising generations will note, the
incubation and dissemination Of that spirit of
loyalty that mpellcd tho great uprising of the
north, the endurance of suffering, hardships,
wounds, disease, and death that the nation
might live, and the subsistence of that great
army into civil life when that object was ac-
cOmplishcd.
May this grand society continue to prosper,
and bring within its fold all the survivors Of
the Potomac who can look each other in the
face and say l was honorably discharged, SO
that, with equal fullness of membership for
all the other grand departments aud divisions
of its great original it may prove indeed
what IL should be, a complete photograph and
May it wax rapidly and wane slowly, and
may we all meet at our final muster with the
proud record, "He was q patriotic citizen,
and in war a faithful soldier of tho union"
Tramp, Tramp, Tramp, was appropriately
sung at the conclusion of Gen. Dudley's ad-
dress, and then the toast Swcethearts
and Wives" to which Mr.. Charles Dudley
Warner made q humorous and witty re-
sponse. The marine band then played "Tho
Girl l Left Behind Me-" and Gen. Fran
els A, Walker responded to tho toast
The Volunteers" Shouting the Battle
Cry of Freedom " was sung, and Capt. Isaac
H. Bromley was called upon to speak TO the
Press" which he did most effectively.
| The last toast was TO
THE CITY OF WASHINGTON"
to which Commissioner Edmonds replied as
| follows:
| Surely il is not expected that / will intro
ducc this city to the Army of the Potomac
| understand they are old friends and, if a
| little domestic gossip be not too undignifed
! for this occasion, may add that for somo
| years they have been regarded in the light
of accepted lovers. Certainly this fair city
has received from that army many gallant
attentions. You all remember some years
| ago when tho states were rashly arming for q
deadly strife, this border city, just out of her
municipal teens, seemed with her dowry
tempting prize for the strongest
/ suitor. Then the army of the Potomac, more
| fleet than any suitor of Atalanta, with q
dashing courage like that of the lover of Pro-
serpine, came to the front, and placing his
standards upon the neighboring heights,
sounded the bugle blast Of defiance to every
| foe, and especially to his rival of the James.
And never was more earnest battle not from
the walls of Troy did Helen witness such
fcrco war as was waged before this city
| Finally when this knight of the Potomac un-
horsed his adversary at Appomattox, and
proudly returned to this city for his well de-
| served honors she placed tho laurels upon his
brow with such bushes and sweet smiles
il was evident her admiration was
tion that chivalry can bostow is this fair
his mother, so is this city his daughter, and
rightiully bears his great name. 1t was hi
who placed her abode, like his own, upon the
banks of this beautiful river, and gave to hei
his years of parental care. Under his eye hel
domains were surveyed and planned, hei
parks, avenues, and garden walks designated
and all according to the dignity, simplicity
and greatness Of his character. On this slope
where he appointed, was raised the villa
whore presidents lodge and ambassadors ar,
received. On that hill has arisen u domeC
to mple fit for an assembly of the gods and o
the states meet to consult and frame laws fol
the common veal.
This city has become the municipal pride o
the nation, the adopted daughter of the states
and beloved of the people. Art and architec
ture have bestowed upon her their riches
treasures Her workshops are Grecian temples
statues adorn her streets, paintings her walls
aud she ispeerless among republican beauties
a