The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-07-23
THE GRAND ARMY,
CampfreS---Department NewS---Rank
in the GAR.
SAN FRANCISCO-NASHVILLE
A Letter from Commander Foster. OF Indiana.

FORT WAYNE, IND, July Ia, 1855.
To THE EDITOR: Zeal without knowledge
is responsible for many very Illogical conclu-
sions The criticism of the Portland Encamp-
ment for deciding to hold its next meeting at
San Francisco, arises from ignorance OF the
real facts in the case. 1T is glibly asked, is
not Illinois. Indiana, Ohio or Pennsylvania
large enough to hold this Encampment of
mighty men ?" / answer, Illinois has already
had the Encampment twice-1S15 and 1878,
Indiana twice-1SG6 and 1881. Ohio three times
1859. 1872 and 1850. and Pennsylvania also
three tmes-1S63, 1871 and 1876. The Grand
Army has held but ~ Encampments, OF which
number these four States have had IGNORE
than half of all that have been held. The conf
rades of these Central States are not so hoggish
as TO fail 10 recognize the claim the Border
States of the Republic have upon them. To
insist that the comrades from Maine should
ALWAYS travel 500 to 900 miles, those from
Wisconsin aud Minnesota an equal distance,
and those from the Pacific coast much farther
still to attend the annual Reunions, In order
that the comrades of the Central States might
always be saved the time and expense they
would thus be putting upon other Departments,
is a proposition SO monstrousy unjust that
am rejoiced to say nothing of the kind Is ever
heard inside our Encampments. In addition
to the States mentioned the annual Encamp-
ment was held at Washington, ID. c.. in 1873;
hnOUe 1SlanU En lCsG. new Oik Al Acs cs Hiai
land in 1882, Colorado in 1888 Minnesota In
1884 Maine in 1885. For all these many years
the comrades from the Pacific have uncom-
piainingly travelled East, and more than
once to encamp on the very shores OF the
Atlantic. This year they said to us, The
many thousands of your ola comrades,
who from all the States in the Union have set
tied upon the golden shore of the Republic,
wish once more to look upon your faces ere
you pass away. Our people who were not in
the army wish you to pass Through their streets,
carpeted with roses strewn by loyal hands who
honor your heroic deeds. and ask they be given
the opportunity to extend TO you the generous
hospitality which finds but poor expression Id
the 100000 already raised to entertain you.
They ask you to make the trip while you are
vet comparatively young and able, not only to
stand the fatigue but also to enjoy the journey
to the far-away western shore of the broad
land you helped to save. The Army OF the
Potomac is coming, the Mexican Veterans are
coming. and We want you to come, that the
year 1856 may be red-letter year to the peo-
pie of California and your old comrades all
to have you hut once, for we are mindful of the
feeting life of our organization"
The only other invitation the Encampment
had was from Nashville, Tenn. The entire
State has but about 700 Grand Army men, but
few more than the number Sion S. Bass Post, OF
this city, alone reached under the admlnlstra-
tion Of Comrade Tom Sullivan. 1t was admit
ted that our entertainment would largely have
to come from ex-rebels, who, to their credit be
it said, offered to entertain US most generously,
writing us a letter of cordial invitation. The
speaker presenting this letter asked US to come
to Nashville that we might visit the graves of
$4,000 of our comrades slain upon the battle
fields adjacent to that city. This called to his
feet fiery West Virginia Unionist who said
IL ln@&,, of ,,zxy, y,an,,
who were responsible for those $4,000 Union
graves. and he for one was willing to let them
wait until the loyalists of California had had
their turn.
The ballot was taken and California was Sc
lected by very large majority.
DAVID n. FOSTER,
Commander, Department of Indiana.