The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-07-31

POtOTnac-JOhn
Rhode Isand-wJ j. Bradford
Vermont-L +. Terri
Virginia-H. De b. Clay.
WiSconsin-Phil Cheek jr.
Washington Territory--H. V. Daniels.
Oregon--B. b. Tuttlc.
Dakota--John B. Denins.
TenneSsee-E. y Jones.
Department Commander Babb, of Minnesota
presented the delegation banners in the ColOs-
scum 10 the several Departments as mementoes
of the 18th meeting of the Encampment, and
resolution was adopted discouragipg balls, ex-
cursions, and picnies on Memorial Day.
Installation.
THE OFFICERS OF THE G. A. r. AND THE W. r. C.
INDUCTED INTO OFFICE TOGETHER.
1t is certainly noteworthy that the Woman's
Relief Corps, but one year old, should receive
official invitation from that ong-eStablished
and noble organization, the Grand Army Of
the Republic, to DO present at the installation
of its National officers, and to install their own
officers in the presence of that body. The
Grand Army of the Republic is not an organi-
zation which would stoOp to offer empty and
undeserved hOnOFs even to body of we'll
meaning women. There was gallantry in the
act, but not mere gallantry. The distinguished
and unsolicited honors conferred upon the Wo-
mans Relief Corps could only have resolved
itself out of profound feeling of respect and
admiration for what this organization has al
ready accomplished as well as for the great
earnest of the future which all must see in tslis
auxiliary to their organization.
About o'clock Friday afternoon the doors
of the beautiful Colosseum, in which the G.. A.
K. had conducted its business meetings, were
thrown open to the ladies of the Relief Corps.
The Department officers were eourteously con-
Quoted to the stage, where seats had been pro-
yided for them. Some further routine busi-
ness was disposed of, and during the interim
the ladies were engaged in an adEliring scru-
tiny of the noble amphitheater with its prOfuse
decorations.
DECORATIONS OF THE HALL.
The immense sounding board back Of the
stage wes banked high in evergreen branches
and pots of blooming fuehsias.
The entire balcony and dress-eircle railings
were hidden by the national eolors, and from
pillars and brackets and ceil-lights, flags and
eyergreens mingled in cheerful profusion.
Presently attention was drawn to the south
entrance by the arrival of
THE NATIONAL oFFICERs
present and elect, who were greeted with great
en- thusiasm and every demonstration of pro-
found respect. Commander-in-ChiefK Kountz,
after formally introducing them to the eonyen-
ton, conducted the ladies to seats in the center
of the stage.
PRESENTATION TO GEN VAN DERvooRT.
| Before proceeding with the installation Of
| officers, S.-V.-C. w. III. Holmes, of California,
| presented to Past Commander Yandervoort,
in behalf of the G. A. r., an elegant gold watch
| and chain, in pursuance of the resolution
| adopted at the Denver Encampment, that Gen.
| Van Dervoort be presented with some token
| of their appreciation of his fidelity and the
valuable character of his services TO the organ
| ization. On one side Of the case were the ini-
| tials of the Order, and on the reverse side the
| initials Of his name, both in monograns; while
/ upon the inside of the case were engraved the
resolutions by virtue of which he became its
| possessor.
/ Gen. Van Dervoort responded most feeliugly
| TO the great compliment, and took occasion,
| also, to speak his thanks to the ladies of the
| w. r. G. for the unprecedented honor they had
bestowed upon him in electing him to honor
| airy membership in their society.
! His speech was applauded to the echo, after
which Adj j.-Gen. Yanderslice called the roll OF
/ the newly-elected officers of the Encampment,
| the Commander-elect announcing w. w. Aleorn
| of Toledo as his Adjutant-GeneTal, and
THE OBLIGATION OF OFFICE
was duly administered by the retiring Com
mander-in-Chief The Commander elect, who
took the oath after its administration to the
subordinate officers, expressed IN a few words
his overwhelming appreciation of the honor
| implied in his election to the highest Office in
the Encampment. The badge of Office was
| then placed upon Comrade Kountz, and he wa;
presented as CommandeF-in- Chief Of the G. A
| Z. for the ensuing year.
Mrs. E. Florence Barker, the retiring Presi-
dent of the National Ao1nan's Relief Corps
was then introduced to tlIe Encampment, and
made brief, graceful address, preliminary to
| the installation Of officers, which was warmly
| applauded. The lady then requested Mrs
Elizabeth Mansfield Irving, Of Toledo to serve
as Chaplain, and Mrs. Goodale, of Boston, as
/ Conductor. Mrs. Irving read the ritual prayer
IN n ole - I'D
throughout the vast amphitheater, the com.
rades and the ladies of the Relief Corps stand
| ing meanwhile The reverent, intelligent
/ reading of Mrs. Irving, her womanly demeanol
and the unusual spectacle of
A WOMAN LEADING THE @. Ar.
in divine worship, made an impression not soor
TO be forgotten.
The Conductor escorted the Senior and
| Junior Vice Presidents, the Secretary, and
Treasurer TO their positions before the Presi-
dent, and they were duly installed.
/ APPLAUDING NURSE.
As Mrs. Annie Wittepmeyer, the Chaplain
elect, was led forward for installation, an incl
/ dent occurred which viii be remembered q
Lifetime by all who witnessed it. Gen. Van
Dervoort commenced an applause, which was
| feebly taken up and was about to die out, when
Past Commander Beath sprang to his feet and
shouted annie Wittenmeyer, one Of the best
! army nurses the Union ever hadl" Instantly
| every eOmrade was upon his feet Hats and
| handkerchief were wildly waved, and again
and again the three cheers" shook the build
ing. In giving Mrs. Wittenmeyer her charge
the President said: . feel like child charging
its mother. How can | instruct you, to whom
we both of the Grand Army and the Woman's
| Relief Corps, owe so mueh?"
CLOSING CEREMONIES
After the remaining subordinate officers were
duly installed, the Conductor escorted forward
the President-eleet, to whom the retiring
Presidents charge was full Of affection, yet
tempered with dignity beftting the place
and the occasion Placing in her hands the
emblems of leadership, the retiring President
| said: E" May YOU when your term of Office ex-
pires, be able to coufide the gaveI and the
ritual into the hands of successor in whose
fidelity and ability you have the same full
confidence that l have in you" After few
| eloquent words to the comrades and the ladies
of the Relief Corps, in which she paid most
generous tribute to the faithful support of he1
subordinate officers, Mrs. Barker took her seat
amid the heartfelt applause which her long
| and unsWerying devotion to the cause has well