The National tribune., 1885-03-26

Of this patriotic state whose love for this Grand
Army Is 80 manifest. Why, have met comrades
here who have been on the road for three days 10
reach this meeting Surely such loyalty and devo-
ton toour Order is the strongest evidence OF Its
benliiccnt and fraternal character, and every SUR
viviDg soldier of the Union Army who is not in
sensible % or indifferent To those who touched ell
| bows with him when battling TO save the Republic,
should join our ranks. Comrades, we rejoice that
justice has at last been done the greatest military
| commander in the history of this age. We rejoice
that the freest government that ever adorned our
planet ha. been saved and her liberties preserved
No period of the world history has been more I'M
portant and none has witnessed greater events of
both peace and war than the quarter of century Just
passed. We meet each year to revive memories OF
the past TO recall the scenes which threatened the
security of the Nation that we fought 10 save 50
inany of us meet around this burning campfire
and cherish the memory of our departed comrades
of those memorable days from 1861 10 1865. As
Communicated hicf and standing i'll the presence
of the delegates of this State | am perhaps ex-
pcoted to word in relation to our progress the
past year. The three words, Fraternity, Charity
and Loyalty, are still cherished with increasing
zeal. The Order brings with increasing constancy
relief and comfort to the widows and orphan chill
dren of the fallen comrades The membership is
now over 215,O00, and the hand of charity is ex-
tended to suffering comrades and families III MEM
DRY of the hands that once were cldsped with COM
rades round the campfire, and it is by the memory
of the scenes of the war that our sympathies ever
grow. Ours is the most generous nation on earth,
and Its generosity is excnplitied by the care and
treatment of those who risked their lives Ill It's de-
fense and preservation and it is the remnant OF the
greatest army the world has ever known, TO which
we belong The humblest privates and the most
distinguished generals esteem IT an honor TO
wear the badge of the Grand Army of the
Republic Ii numbers over 275,0OO COM
rades, but large this may seem there are
many variant and loyal soldiers who are out. In
This State you ought to have 10000 members. Dur
ing the past year we have lost 10000 of whom 200
have been reinsaed. SO You if is very difficult
to advance and show membership of 10000,
as We ought TO do unless take back those who
have been suspended. have suggested that COM
mittees he appointed to those who are not MEM
bers and those who have been suspended and
enteavor i'll this way 10 increase the membership.
If we do this can present roster OF over apooo
at next annual Encampment.
The sense of comradeship is known only to those
who stood shoulder shoulder and battled for the
Nation. We have stood together III the gloom OF
defeat and amid the most brilliant successes, ana
we have cemcnted n friendship more dear than life
In this rapidly growing section the work should
begin, and it should grow until in its fold will be
gathered every survivor Of the war under the BAN
of Fraternity. Charity and Loyalty. Let us
help each ether until we go down TO the end of life
and cross the river and enter tine realms OF glory
/ thank you again, and assure You it will be
with the fondest recolleCions that shall remember
my visit to the State of Kansas.
After which, Department Commander Pond
announced the Department closed until after
parade to-day.
Then followed a general handshaking and
congratulaton of General KOuntZ, after which
he was escorted to the Huntington House,
where be will remain as the guest OF the De-
partment during his stay in the city.
woMAN's RELIEF CORPS.
Although the Commander-in-Ch met all
the officers and many of the ladies' OF the Relief
Corps he did not have the pleasure of meeting
them assembled in this meeting 1t was ex-
pected to receive him in the Encampment on
Wednesday afternoon, but on account OF the
strike on the Missouri Pacific Railway the Com
mander-in- Chief was obliged to leave at 1:30
p. M. instead of $50 rs intended. This was
great disappointment to the ladies and also to
the Commander in Chief. who has some very
decided views on the subject of the admission
of LOYAL women, which he desired to present to
the Relief Corps. Commander Kountz is one
of the strongest advocates of the Womans Re-
lief Corps. having seen Its grand work III his
own Post for many years. lie unreServedly
favoTs the admission of all loyal women tof
whose noble and unseitish work he has seen SO
much into this grand charitable organization.
which is doing so much for the old soldiers and
the needy families Of our dead comrades. 1t
would be difficult TO carry out the second great
virtue of the GA. Il. without the aid of the
W.RC. Commander kountz again visited the
Encampment of the Grand Army on Wednes-
day, aud addressed the comrades in some con-
gratulatory remarks, and was received with the
widest cheer and enthusiasm, and was honored
with rising vote Of thanks by the Encamp-
ment.
OFF FOR NEW ORLEANS.
Acknowledgement Alcorn has gone to New
Orleans to attend the Exposition and visit the
BOYS. The COmmander-in-C Chief was detained
by the illness of one of his boys.
GENERAL ORDERS.
The following General Orders have been is
sued
HEADQUARTERS GRaxD ARMY or THE REPUBLIC,
TOLEDO, o.. March 18th, 1885.
General Orders, No IS.
l. Department Commanders will cause TO be made
a thorough inspection of each Post within their re-
spectiye Departments between the first day of April
and the 18TH day OF May, and report TO the Depart
ment Inspector on amended form III, who Will con-
sodate the same upon form T., ana forward 10 Non-
rade o. A. James, Inspector General, Hillsdae,
Mich, or before the 25th day of May, 1885. AS
sistant Inspector and Post Commanders in making
such inspections will follow the form prescribed by
the National Encampmcnt found on page 52, Serv-
ice Book.
Assistant Inspectors will inspect the Headquar-
ters OF their respective Departments and make
written report of the condition thereof to the IN
spcctor General, or before the 18th day of May,
1885
IL The Society of the Army of the Potomac will
hold its annual meeting at Baltimore, Md. May 6,
1885. The Committee Of Arrangements, through
these Headquarters. extend to Posts of the Grand
Army throughout the country a cordial 4nVitation
to participate IN the reception of the members of
the Society, and pledge that the city of Baltimore
will do ali in its power To make the visit enjoyable.
Comrades of the Grand Army of the Republic who
have tested the hospitality of Baltimore need no
additional assurances.
III. Much unnecessary expense, trouble and disap-
pointment j. frequently occsoned to those seeking
admission to National Military Homes by want
Of knowledge of the rules of admission. No Post
or individual should send a person to be admitted
into any of these Homes, without having first made
application therefor and asccrtaned whether he is
eligible. Blanks, with full instructions for the adj
mission of applicants, can be obtained by sending to
the Commanding Officers of the respective Homes.
~. The National Encamrment will hold its 18th
annual session in the city of Portland Me, June "a
and -, 1885 Details Will be announced in General
Orders soon n perfected.
BY command Of JOHN E. KoUSTZ
W. W. ALCoR1, Comulander-in-C Chief.
Adutant- General.
FopSVTH