The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-07-12
The National Encampment.

The National Encampment.
The seventeenth annual Encampment of
the Grand Army, which viii convene at
Denver on the 25th inst, will be the most
thoroughly representative body of ex-sol-
diers that has been assembled since the war
II VIII voice the sentiments and execute the
viii of two hundred thousand veterans, dis
persed and scattered over our vast domain
from the Atlantic to the Pacific and the
Lakes TO the Gulf but bound together still
by the endearing ties of conIradeship. Its
deliberations are sure, therefore, to be fol-
lowed with uncommon interest, while its
acts and utterances viii carry with them
the weight of authority. There was time
in the history of the Grand Army when its
proceedings excited little remark, but it can
no longer hope to evade public scrutiny.
Even were it disposed to withdraw behind
the veil Of obscurity, that retreat would be
found closed to it. Henceforth it is destined
to rank as one of the most powerful orders
in the country and it is inevitable that it
should be held to a strict accountability for
its acts. As It's roots strike deeper and
deeper into the heart of every community
and it lifts its head higher and higher above
the plane of politics and religion and trade,
ii must expect to become target for the
ISLANDERS of malice as well as a shrine for the
worship of patriotism.
It is important, therefore, that ell its acts
should be the outcome of mature aud wise
elaboration, that It should commit itself to
no line Of policy that is not in perfect accord
with the principles and purposes of its crea-
ton, and that it should beware of the yoke of
personal ambition. Its impossible, of course,
to foresee what questions viii enter into the
deliberations of the Eneampment, but there
are several which clearly ought to receive
earnest attention, and perhaps as many that
ought not 20 be forced upon It's notice.
The temperance question is one of the most
pressing. The Judgment of the Encampment
that the Post room is not fl place for So
ciai tippling ought to be registered in plain
and unmistakable language.
The attitude of certain religious bodies
and notably the Catholic and United Breth-
rem churches towards the Grand Army is
another matter that deserves serious atten-
ton. The Encampment should empower
some committee TO confer with the heads of
the churches in question, and ascertain
whether the existing misunderstanding can
not be removed.
The management of Soldiers Homes, and
the prosecution of the movement for their
establishment in every State where there is
need Of them, should also be the subject of
intelligent discussion. The want of these in
situations IS seriously felt in some Of the
Western States, to which the tide of imlni-
grafton has carried 50 many of our disabled
veterans
As for the question as to what action the
Encanapment ought to take in regard to pen
sion matters, it seems to us that It should
put or record ringing denunciation of the
hue and cry that has been raised against our
pensioners, and brand as unworthy of belief
the charges of fraud that. without shadow
of proof. have been put forward by their
enemies. This much the Encampment GER
tainiy ought to do in vindication of those
who, individually, are poweriess toresch and
refute the base insinuation. As to urging
specific legislation Of any kind, that respon-
sibility, we take it, had best be confded TO
special committee composed of the most
capable, experienced, and discreet COM
r&des OF the Order, with instructions to APP
pear in person before the committees of Con-
gress, at the proper time, and use the influ-
eace Of the Order to promote the passage of
such measures as ii may then seem practi-
cable and advisable TO hare enacted. To
pronounce Dramatically In favor of any
particular bill SO far in advance of meeting
of new Congress might be TO sacrifice the
chance Of obtaining the enactment of a
: measure equally desirable. That the En-