The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-09-20

First Days SsssIon-Address of the COmmander-in-
ChieF-Reports of the National Officers and the
Pension Committee.
MORNING SESSION.


The National Encamprnent assembled in
the Metropolitan Opera House at 10 a. IN.
Wednesday, and was called to order with
few appropriate remarks by the Commander
in-Chief. He was so wornout by much
speaking that his voice could not be raised
above whisper.
Chapiaia-ia-Chief Anderson invoked the
favor Of the Almighty upon the Encamp-
ment in touching phrases.
Senior Vice C0mmander-in-C Chief Cole took
the chair and directed the Adjutant- General
to call the roll Of the National Officers. All
were present except Inspector General
Hedges.
Tie calling Of the roll Of delegates was
omitted.
The next business IN order was the reports
Of National Officers.
Commander-in-Chief Rea asked the IN
diligence of the Encampment TO the condi-
ton Of his voice while he read his address:
THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES ADDRESS.
A century ago a little band of heroic men.
fresh from the struggle for independence, in
which the political rights and moral grand
eur Of American manhood were yiudicated,
crossed the mountain range which thereto
fore had marked the western boundary Of
that narrow belt of our continental settle
ment which stretched along the winding
slope Of the sea, penetrated the solitude Of
the wilderness of the Mississippi Valley, and
founded on the western bank Of the % beau
tiful river settlement which in the order
Of Providence became the germ from which
developed the Imperial Commonwealth Ia
whose Capital city we meet to-day in this
22d National Eneampment of the Grand
Army Of the Republic. They were home
fostering, God-fearing, iberty-loving, self
sacrificing, chivalric men. They counted
the cost Of every step they took, and took
every step that was right, regardless Of cost.
Poor in material resources, but rich in men
tai and moral endowment, they founded
deep down on the granite ledge Of individual
I independence and eternal right this great
4 community which furnished for the defense
4 Of the Republic they had helped TO create,
I when the time of its peril came, an army Of
100000 men, and gave that Republic and
/ the world Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, Nc
4 Phcrson, ROsecrans, Buell., Garfield, Stced-
man. McCOok, Custer, Crook, and many
others Of kingIy, deathless, matchless fame ;
all born, reared and inspired amid the quiet
Of its forest homes and under the influence
Of its bold, progressive thought to be the
dom in her final conflict Oh this continent.
The royal welcome we receive here comes
from the heart Of great people, which beats
to-day as it did quarter of a century ago
in sensitive, truthful, loving fidelity to the
citizen-soldiery Of the Republic
REPORTS.
Fall detailed statements of the workings
Of our organization and Of its finances for the
official year viii be found in the reports
submitted by the several staff officers, all OF
which are commended 10 the careful perusal
and candid consideration of the Encamp.
ment. In this connection desire to express
my deep sense Of obligation to each of those
officers for their earnest and efficient en-,
deav0r TO promote the interests of the Order
and TO Tighten and make effective my off.
cial duties as Commander-in-Ch Chief What
ever success has attended my administration
is due TO their unceasing and loyal services
MEMBERSHIP.
On March 81, 1887, the total membership
Of our Order IN good standing was 320, ,936
on March 81, 1888, it was 354, ,216, making
net gain Of comrades in good standing dur
ing the year embraced within those dates o
80 $50, an excess Of 1851 over the net gain
OF the previous year. 1t is but due to mJ
A4StLii5 5uASACN PASuSCOSSOl ~ say thdt lhOEt
} than half the net gain Of the last officia
year was made during the first half of tn
| year, which was included within his term o
, Office
; The reports for the quarter ending Jun
30 show gain by muster of 1862, and
total membership in good standing of 361
362, with loss from delinquent reports 0
6,G63, all Of whom it may be assumed are il
Q good standing in their respective Posts
J Omitting the loss from delinquent reports
the net gain during last quarter was IA, los
The reports show that on June 30 there Wer
395, ,245 comrades borne On the rolls, to whcl
may safely be added sufficient number on