The National tribune., 1885-05-21
The GRAND ARMY.
Camp Fires--Post 0llicerS--News from
the Departments.
HEADQUARTERS BULLETIN.
The Commander-in-ChiefH Home asain-ffis
Welcome.
TOLEDO, O., May is, 1885.

TOLEDO O.. May is, 1885.
Commander in Chief Kountz received n
warm welcome home from his journeys in the
mighty West, and manifold were the express
sions Of congratuiation and pleasure over the
handsome recognition that awaited him at
every point visited. The superb badge pre-
scented him by the great-hearted comrades OF
California has been on exhibition at Cook s
iewelry store, where it has been viewed by
admiring thousands. and without dissenting
voice it is pronounced the most artistic and
elegant ever seen.
"Wednesday evening Forsyth Post gave the
COMMANDMENTS Chief a complimentary reccp-
ton, Ford Post. East Toledo, and c. Ii. Mitch
ell Post, South Toledo, joining in the occasion.
DIR. s. S. Forbes. Tuledo's soldier Mayor; Gen.
John w. Fuller hero of CoTinth; Capt. J. Kent
Hamilton, the soldier eloquent, and ex-Mayor
Sheets, of Ford Post, were among the speakers
OF the evening Commander Bryant repre-
sented Sylvania Post. The evening opened
with the initiation of 10 candidates. after which
Commander Corbett formally welcomed the
Commander-in-Cb Chief in the following brief but
cordial address:
WELCOME HOME.
Comrades feel graiified with the large attend
snce of membership this evening, and To our
visiting comrades in behalf OF Forsyth Post, eX-
tend most cordial welcome. Ii Is hardly neceS-
sarv for me 10 SAY this as it well known TO you
ali that Forsyth Post desires its rooms 10 be The
home of every Grand Army man that shall favor
us with his presence. But the occasion winch
brings OF Forsyth Ford and other Posts together
this evening enables me to speak III behalf ot you
all While OF Forsyth feel particularly honored
in the advancement of cur comrade TO the high po-
sition of Conmander-in-Chief and reJoce IN the
magnificent hospitality and fraternal spirit which
has everywhere been extended To hiHi, and re-
markedly in his recent visit to the great West
and the Pacific States, feel that every coinrlde
shares with in the rejoicing Of the occasion and
in extending the congratulations due 10 our honor
ed comrade. do not think 1t fitting to Indulge IN
any extended remarks Our com!ade knows how
we feel towards him he Is at home here. can
simply, in behalf OF and ALL say to you Com
mander Chief that you have our highest regards
and that we congratulate you on the success winch
has attended your efforts in eevating and maintain
ing the standard of the Grand Army Of the Repub-
bic, and we extend welcome home.
Amidst clapping of hands and singing of
Marching Through Georgia" the Commander
in-Chief arose and spoke as follows:
GEN KoUNTz's ADDRESS.
MY DEAR COMRADES: give you my most sincere
and heartfelt thanks fer this cordial welcome home
You have SO many times honored me-have given
go many evidences of your fraternal. regard and
esteem, that scarcely know what to say, except
that thrill Of Joy and pride pervades my breast to-
night that my name is Inscribed upon the roll of
Forsyth Post. Three times have you UNANIMOUSLY
chosen me its Commander, and ] assure you that
my associations with you in that Office shall al
ways cherish of the proud distinctions of my
life, for to have been Commander Of such Post
with such record, was very high honor During
the last eight months have been in 40 States and
Territories and, the orator would say, have
BEEN from the Northern lakes to the Southern
gulf, and frim the broad Atiantic TO the golden
shores of the Pacific and everywhere ba ve found
comrades who know something of The history of
Forsyth Post They have learned of your great
charitable work, but have always, when referring
TO proud record in this respect given the credit
TO the ladies' for. without their generous assist
ance, the record could never have been made.
And now, my comrades. whatever distinctions
have fallen TO me, belong TO you and TO Forsyth
Post, for il the honors received at your hands
that made those thst followed possible.
The Commander-in-Chief then gave brief
outline OF his recent visit 10 California and the
Department of the Grand Army in the far
West. and said that everywhere they had re-
ceived the most fattering receptions. He re-
marked:
We were in the Golden State for a week with
headquarters ia San Francisco, where were the
guests Of Comrade W. Is. Hooper. proprietor of the
magnificent Occidental Hotel We shall ever re-
member with p e.isure his fTaternal courtesy. We
visited the comrades ut Sacramento, Santa Rosa,
and San Jose, in addition 10 the several meetings
in San Francisco, and those Califorlians simply
beat the world for generosity AMI boundiess hospi-
taiity. As said 10 the comrades there, they WED
with each other in placing the cup Of fraternal
greeting TO our lips.
In closing, Gen. Kountz said
Ny comrades the Grand Army OF the Republic
Is coliseryator Of loyalty and rests upon record
of uussiiish patrloii II teaches the rising gen.
GRAFTON lessons of loyalty and devotion to the
grandest Republic earth. and il is ever-burn-
ing campfire around which we love TO gather TO
keep alive the memory of march and battle, and
cherish the recollection of the heroic deeds of our
comrades during those memorable days from 1861
to 1855
Is there anothsr civic organization in existence
with gIander purposes and aims, or which has no.
bier associations TO cherish. Ours is an army of
Patriots made up entirely Of the defenders of the
Republic who risked their lives that the Govern
mcnt might not perish and the broad fraternity OF
noble association is proven by the testimony
of nearly 10000 of the survivors of the Union
armies.
And now, comrades while rejoicing that we have
such a magnificent army of ord veterans enrolled
I'm the ranks of the Grand Army of the Republic,
and while our hearts elate with joy that its infiu-
ences ahd blessings are every day being felt by the
surviving soldiers of the war. let work with
renewed determination to bring into ranks
every old soldier and sil0 who worthily wore the
blue, let stand shoulder TO shoulder of old
der the glorious banner of Fraternity Charity, and
Loyalty.
Again, my comrades, from the depths of my
heart, thank you for this fraternal greeting.
THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Following the remarks Of the Commander-in-
Chief, Judge Advocate General austin, who was
his companion in the entire trip, made few
remarks, in which he made most complimentary
allusion not only to the hospitality, but to the
thorough Grand Army work Of our comrades OF
the West. He said that although some Of the
IOSlS NsSsbtU were SIiali III UuInDSfS ali we're
well organized and enthusiastic, aud older and
larger Posts in the East might take profitable
lessons from them in Grand Army work. They
had witnessed several musters, ard in all OF
their work and appointments they were fully
equal to any they bad seen in the East. and far
in advance of many OF our older Posts. In
Salt Lake City they were most cordially re-
ceived by the comrades, who have a Post con.
sistng of 30 members. All those served in the
East, and have gone there since the war. In
keeping up their organization they are COM
PEELED TO rely upon their Own resources The
great Mormon community have no sympathy
with those who fought 10 save this Union
Their sympathies aud interest were all on the
other side. But they have always been held
In awe by the great Union army, and although
they have not the love of the Mormons, they
command their respect.
THE COMING ENCAMPMEST.
In conclusion the Judge Advocate Genera
said:
California will invite the National Encampmen
In 1886 to San Francisco and hope that that invi
tation will be cordially accepted il will b,
rendered am in favor of lis being held there
first, because it is due TO the great number Of GU
comrades who have gone out into that Westerr
country and improving and identifying it b.
their industry and intelligence, that they have a
least one opportunity 10 meet and greet their OLE
comradcs-in-arms, as many OF them can come
In their iar-off Western home j also, having seei
that grand and beautiful country, and partazeI
OF the hospitality of its people, wish that 6ll old sol
diers OF the army whose sacrifices in subduing tn
rebellion made this country united in one bond o
perpetual union, and made this great development
Ill. "a unity az laaSf