The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-04-05

the law for the purpose of testing its constitu-
tionality in usurping the property and rights of
the soldiers orphans. The remainder of the af
ternoon session was devoted largely to the trans
action of regular business and receiving reports
from the Post Representatives The election of
officers resulted as follows: Commander, James
r. Carnahan, of Indianapolis; S. V. c., Edwin
Nicar, of South Bend; ~. c., Paul Hendricks,
of Madison; Medical Director James S. Gregg,
of Fort Wayne; Chaplain, Rev. j. Nj White
head, of Washington; Delegates to the National
Encampment: NJ. d. Manson, of Charlottesville;
c. L. Holstein, of indianapolis; n. G. WEIGH, of
Warsaw; j. p. G. Shanks, of Portland, and r.
S. Robertson, of Fort Wayne; Alternate Dele
gates: Roswell S. Hill, of Brazil; w. K Mavity,
of Kokomo; James P. Tiff, of Richmond; w.
w. McBetts, of Lafayette; and T. A. Hawkins,
of Noblesville. The officers appointed for the
next year were: Assistant tant-General,
Ben ID. House, of indianapolis; Quartermaster,
Garrett III. Shower, of Indianapolis; Judge
Advocate, Thomas Hanna, of Greencastle;
Chief mastering Officer, r. S. Robertson, of
Fort Wayne. The purchase of a testimonial
from the Encampment to General Carnahan,
the Commander was ordered. Following the
election of officers, the secret session closed.
The public Campfire at the Park Theatre at
night was largely attended, and the occasion
was highly enjoyable. The exercises were re-
ceiyed with enthusiastic appreciation, and the
best OF feeling prevailed, from the opening
with the singing of "John Browns Body"
until the closing with Praise God from Whom
All Blessings Flow" The songs of the camp
were sung by members of the G. A. R., led by
John Kensell, of Fort Wayne, and all present
fully entered into the spirit of the occasion.
The stage was most appropriately arranged,
and on it were seated a number of prominent
persons among others being Governor Porter
and his staff General Paul Van Dervoort the
Commander Chief of the G. A. R., Generals
NJ ID. Manson, Foster, McGinnis, Knefer,
Coburn and others In neat speech of ten
minutes, Governor Porter said that, after look
ing over the audience, now eighteen years after
the war, he did not wonder at the enthusiasm
that had been manifested. 1t seems. he said,
that with each year the soldiers have an in
creased interest in the cause for which they
fought. We meet men every day in the public
assemblies and in the street, but there is no
acquaintance which gives the knowledge of
men and strengthens friendship as the knowl-
edge obtained of each other when drawn to-
gether in the vicissitudes of war and i'll the life
of camp and field. Following the remarks of
the Governor the installation of the Encamp-
ment officers was made, the ceremonies being
conducted by General Paul Van Dervoort, the
Commander-in-Chief The recitation of Lib
erty Bell was given in highly creditable man
ner by Miss Lena Carnahan, daughter of GEN
marked evolutionary powers. In response to
an encore she recited the sold Canteen."
General Paul Van Dervoort deliveryda short
address, urging members of the Order to
strengthen the organization. 1t has no con-
nection with politics or with factions, he said,
but is an organization into which all who have
been honorably discharged from the army will
be received fraternally. There are three things,
he said, that cannot be mixed with politics
tha nd inn
The growth of the Order in Indiana during the
last year, he said, had been marvellous, and it
was shown that more Posts had been organized
here than in any other State during the year.
The gain in membership throughout the coun-
try during the last year he estimated at $1,000.
In concluding, he urged each member to re-
solve to recruit the membership, and he thought
that with proper efforts over $4,000 more sol
diers in Indiana could be gathered into the
organization. 1t is the object and duty of the
organization he said to not only build monu-
ments to the deceased soldiers, but TO take the
disabled soldiers out of the poor-houses. Both
were right, but the act of charity should come
first The object of the G. A. r. would not be
accomplished as long as one soldier is supported
as pauper. They should be sought out and
made the wards of the organizations The effort
should be to make the record of the members
in peace even more glorious than in war, and
he closed by expressing the hope that the day
may be far away when the G. A. r. is mustered
out. Mrs. Ida Hood Talbot recited . Manning
the. Gum" and i'll answer to enthusiastic APP
plause gave a recitation from Robt. ]. Burdette.
Short addresses We're delivered by General M
d. Manson and ]. T. Johnson, of Rockville An
original poem, entitled The Rank and File y
was read by John Kensell, and Corporal Joe, .
a recitation, was well rendered by VIII c.
David, eliciting an encore, in response to which
he recited Banty Tim" humorous selection
followed by "Sheridan's Ride" pleasant
feature of the exercise was the singing of faml-
liar camp-songs by John Kensell, of Fort Wayne,
who gave, among Others, Rally Round the
Flag, Boys" Marching Throuph Georgia,
Benny Havens," and "The Army Bean.
General Carnahan, the Commander, in bringing
the Campfire to a close, made few appropriate
remarks promising to discharge the duties OF
the office to which he had been reelected with
the same zeal as during the last year.
The committee of Morton Post, Terre Haute
Ind, appointed for the purpose, have prepared
a memorial of the recent death of Gen Chas
Cruft. Gen. Cruft was the first colonel of the
Thirty-fir Indiana, and participated in
Grants Western campaign.
ILLINOIS.