St. Landry democrat., 1885-07-04
THE G. A. r.


Tho Present Status of the Organization
over a Quarter of a Million On theRoiIs
Resolutions of sympathy For the Old
Commander-Genera1 Logan Talks to the
Boys-Seeing the Sights
PORTLAND, Me-, June 24.-Among the
prominent candidates for the office OF
Commander-in-C Chief Of the Grand Army
for the year ensuing are Generals Bar
mum and Reynolds, Post Department
Commander Estes, of New York, and
General Burdett, of Washington. The
movement was. started yesterday to elect
General Grant Commander, with some
active senior Vice Commander who could
rerform the duties of the office.
Commander Kountz opened his address
By greeting the comrades as the repre-
sentatives of that patriot army which ac-
complfshed more for the advancement OF
civilization and the rights OF men than
any other army in the history OF the
world, and of an organization which is
to-day accomplishing more to relieve the
distress and sufferings, caused by the
war, than all other associations com
bined. He congratulated his auditors
upon the gain of 1885, in membership
over last year. The report of the AdJu-
ant-General shows the membership to
be 267,837. On June 9th there was on
hand a cash balance of $l5, 224. The mis-
use of military titles was referred to and
earnestly deprecated. The organization,
known as the ttVeteran Rights Union"
was heartily indorsed.
The Commander recommended thatthe
order known as the "Sons OF Vete-
rams" should be independent OF the
G. A. r.
Of General Grant, the speaker said
HWe give our heartiest greetings and
fraternal sympathy to the noble chiettain
whose heart grandly responded when
duty called, and melted in compassion
when mercy pleaded"
Of nolitics. he said: "Comrades who
love the Grand Army will not permit the
use of the organization, as such, even in
the most remote degree, for partisan
purposes. Let US not forget that it has
taken many years to recover from the
deathblow the order received in conse-
uuence of posts participating in politics.
At the close of Commander Kountz's
address, Commander Brown offered q
resolution that the 6. A. R Encampment,
representing 800, 900 ex-soldiers and sail
ors, tender to the distinguished comrade,
soldier and statesman, General U. s.
Grant, profound sympathy in his con-
tinued illness, and extend soldiers
greeting to our beloved commander
and cofnrade, who has for months
endured unspeakable agony with that
Characteristic fortitude that has chal-
lenged the admiration of the world. This
was received with loud applause and
cheers, and in moment half dozen
comrades rose and offered resolutions of
sympathy to the General. Efforts were
made to refer all resolutions to Especial
committee, but the convention would
not listen, and by unanimous vote,
amid the greatest enthusiasm, the reso-
lutions were adopted, and the Adjutant-
General was ordered to telegraph them
at once.
Following this came the communica-
tion from the department for the appoint
ment of committees, and then followed
communications from individuals.
Comrade Lpring, of Boston, offered a
resolution asking the encampment to
support the $500 universal pension bill,
called the Lowering bill, which was re-
ferred to the Committee on Resolutions.
This practically completed the business
of the preliminary session, and loud calls
were made for
GENERAL LOGAN,
who arose and spoke of the pleasure he
felt at being present at the largest en-
campment ever held; but it caused him
sadness to think that in few years they
would not be here. They should so live
as to read lesson to the youths of
to-day, so impressive that they would
always remember what their gatherings
meant and the story would always grow
in interest.
At the conclusion of his remarks the
convention took recess till four o'clock.
Several posts left for home yesterday.
The veterans spent the day on excursions
down the harbor or to the White Noun
tains over the Portland & Ogdensburg
Railroad.
Many posts have made no report of
amounts expended or comrades relieved,
but so far as reported the departments
have expended $40, ,292, relieving 1883
comrades and 3,43S others.