The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-07
TIE GRAND ARMY ENCAMPMENT.
The Service Pension Bill Disapproved- lilo.
quent Address BIZ General Sherman.

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. eat the third days
session Of the national encampment. today. the
committee on resolutions submitted a report de-
ncuncing polygamy, and that Congress be asked
to pass such laws will eradicate the evil from
the country. The feature Of the afternoon seq
sion was discussion over the service pension
bills. The department. of Massachusetts
offered resolution favoring the passage
by Congress of the Lowering bill, which
provides pension of So per month TO every sur
wing soldier and sailor Of the war; whether dis
abled or not. The committee resolutions to
whom the matter was referred. reported ad-
versely. Bennett of Indiana, submitted min
ority report, favoring the measure A vote was
first taken on the latter and defeated by 327 to
Sc. Several efforts were made during the day to
bring up the consideration of the next encamp-
ment place, but without avail A session will
be held this evening, when, it is hoped. both the
selection of place of encampment and the cleo
ton of officers will be accomplished.
During the proceedings General Sherman read
an address He spoke of the origin of the order
and of the part the members had taken in tho
civil war, and then said: Men who have only
engaged in single battle or single campaign
are apt TO dwell on it the only one ever fought.
and many of US are apt to assume that our war
was the only conflict Of arms worthy Of record
Others have preceded it, others will succeed 1t.
We now, with retrospect of only twenty-one
years, realize that the civil in America was
but single step in the progress of the world to
a newer and higher civilization. The Revolu-
tiouary war demonstrated that the thirteen col
onies planted by Europe on the coast of America
had attained manhood, and had a natural right
to assume all their functions. among them
independence. The war of 1912 demonstrated
that this new nation was capable of defending
ITSELF not only within its own domains, but ON
the high seas and everywhere. Then the Next
war OF lSic-47 demonstrated that our RAGS
aud institutions must reach from ocean TO ocean,
from the lakes to the Gulf, with ample room for
development. and finally the civil war demon
strated that we citizens, could defend the
government against the greatest of all enemies
ourselves" He then gave interesting &C.
count Of the causes which led TO the Mexican
war, and of the subsequent history Of that
war, and the conquest of California by the
United States, with the parts taken by General
Fremont Speaking of his own share In the
operations, he told how the battery to which he
WAS attached was sent around the Horn" leav-
ing New York, July IA, 1886 and arriving at
Monterey on the 10Th OF January, lS47. He
compared the condition of California at that time
with the present prosperity and then revert!ng
to the benefits of the civil war, closed follows:
You, my beloved comrades of the war of 1861.
have ABUNDANT reason for your faith In the maj
esty and security in the new Union, bound to-
gether in harmony by rivers and mountains, and
by bands Of steel, each State controlling it's
own property and interests, with O.
strong government over all Yes, in your
conventions and feasts you can well spare some
words of cheer to your old comrades of the Mex
lean war, who did SO much to enlarge the ma
tiopal domain, and make possible the glorious
work you afterward so thoroughly accomplished.
We cannot expect to tarry long TO enjoy the
fruits of our labors, but untold generations will
be here to protect defend and maintain these
conouests; and, meantime we have a right to be
proud and content that in our day and genera
ton we have largely contributed to build up and
strengthen the fabric of government fashioned
by our fathers, sanctifed by the greatness of
Washington, made doubly precious by the noble
virtues of our martyred Lincoln, and crowned
by the achievements of our comrade Grant
ST Louis was selected as the place of the next
national encamrment by vote of 2l3 to III for
Nashville
The encampment then proceeded to the cleo
tion of a commander-in-chief. Tanner, OF New
York, was proposed by Hatch Of Massach usetts.
John Burch, of Illinois, John p. Rea, of Mime
sofa. and John H. Reynolds. of New York, were
placed in nomination. Whole number of votes
cast, AL; necessary to a choice, 222. Tanner re-
ceived 112. Fairchild i58 Burch II, Reynolds37
and Rea g. Reynolds withdrew in favor of Fair.
child, and the second ballot was proceeded with.
When BIZ votes had been cast on the second ball
lot, it was shown that Farchlld had received 229,
or seven more than necessary to elect. A mo-
ton was then made to make his election unani-
nous. Carried. Gen. s. W. Backus OF San
francisco, was unanimously elected senior vice.
commander-in-chief.
Coz. Edgar Allen, Richmond, Va, was elected
junior vce-commander-in-c chief; DR.. A. s.
Evarts, Colorado, surgeon general; Rev. Thomas
c. Warner, Chattanooga, chaplain.
There were no further proceedings of import
ance. and the encampment adjourned sine die