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

THE 18TH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT.
The 18th Annual Encampment of the G. A. r.
Of the United States has ended. 1t began
auspicicusly, it progressed tremendously and
ended in glowing enthusiasm. In all things
good, desirable and rich in promise it far sur
passed any of its IL predecessors. This is espe-
cially cheering in showing the continuous
development of the Order, and its ezaltation
into higher esteem and usefulness.
Good fortune attended the Eneampment
from the very first The selection of Mime
apolis as a meeting-place was very happy
choice. In that thriving, busting city, built
up mainly by the men who. had actively par
ticipated in the war. the comrades met such
reception as warmed their hearts with the
patriotic ardor of 81.
The Encampment itself was made up of a
superior class Of men. A close observer COM
mented very favorably upon the comparison it
made with the highest legislative or other
gatherings seen in the country. There is every
reason why this should be So The Order is
bringing within its pale all the men who made
their mark during the war, or who served
there as boys, and have since achieved dis
tinction in the walks OF civil life. A notable
accession-above all notable as indicating the
present tendency-was the presence and active
participation Of the late General of the Army.
Gen. Sherman's accession shows the increasing
desire among all who served during the war to
enroll themselves in the ranks of the Order.
The ensuing years viii probably find but very
few of these outside its lines.
Another Of the peculiarly gratifying features
of the Encampment was demonstration of its
thoroly American character, in that it levels
all ranks. A private soldier-a drummer-boy-
was elevated to its highest Office and among
the first to extend him congratulations was
man who is now but private in the ranks of
I the Order, but who few years ago commanded
the drummer-boy who now commands him,
and 100000 more like him, and is one of the
most illustrious soldiers Of the day. A brilliant
orator in the Encampment was colored COM
rade, who began his military career as a camp
follower and bootblack for the officers who
now meet him upon perfect equality and listen
TO bis words with pleasure.
As we have said elsewhere the election of
John s. Kountz for Commander-in-Ch Chief was
a most happy choice. As a representative pri-
vate soldier, as a man who left a leg on
4 Southern battlefield, as an enthusiastic Grand
Army man, and one who has been splendidly
successful in building up the Order in his own
city and the great State of Ohio, Comrade
| Kountz combines in himself qualifications for
the Communicating that very few men pos
sess The ready acquiescence of all competi-
tors in the wish Of the majority was very
gratifying acknowledgment of his fitness for
the place. as wen as Of their generous subordi-
nation of self-interest to the good of the
Order.
Comrade Kountz's election was due not less
to the enthusiastic personal devotion of his
Ohio and other comrades than to the determi-
nation Of large portion of the Encampment
to at last reward most earnest and successful
worker for the good of the Order. There was
emf and enf6GssEsc Tef Ct his i Supporters His
genuinely modest reception Of the great honor
conferred upon him was thoroly characteristic
Of him. and greatly enhanced his popularity
among the comrades.
Comrade Rea, Of Minneapolis. was selected
as Senior northumberland Chief. primarily
as a recognition of the Department and city TO
which the Encampment had owed SO much for
its delightful and profitable session At the
same time it was honoring an enthusiastic and
efficient worker, to whose efforts as Depart
ment Commander are largely due the splendid
growth Of the Department Of Minnesota.
In Cornrade Ira E. Hicks, Of Dakota, the En-
campment stin further testified its obligations
to the Northwest, and also conferred worthy
honors. The same should be said of Conrade
J. III. shaunafeit, OF Michigan, selected as
Chaplain-in- Chief
1 Nashville would doubtless have received
this year the Iong-coyetsd prize Of being the
place for the next meeting but for the DISPOSE
ton Of the comrades Of late to make long jour-
neys Tt is as if they have been seized with a
desire to explore the land they saved. So, having
been to fair Southern eity-Baltimore-
1882, they went to the far-away Rockies at
Denver in 1888, and this year visited the
boundless wheat-felds Of the teeming North
west and next year viii seek the salt-breezes
Of the Atlantic at the sunrise boundary Of the
Nation.
So the Encampment of 1884 passes into his
tory as a highly brilliant chapter in the annals
Of the Order.
COMMANDER JOHN S. KoUNrz.