The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-05-05
GREETINGS TO THEIR CHIEF
The Cordial Reception rendered to Gen.
John 2. Rea by the Grand Army Men.
He Meets Many Of His Indiana Comrades and
Delivers an Eloquent Address on the
0rder-Camp-Fire Exercises.
TIE GRAND AKmY.s COMMANDER.


Arrival OF Comm ,nder Res, and the Atten-
ton Pad TO Him by Comrades.
The eommander-in-chief Of the G. A R., John
z. Rea, accompanied by his wife. and Colonel
vanosdol, commander of the Departments Of In-
diana, arrived from Madison, yesterday. shortly
before neon. Along the route from that city TO
the capital city the party was frequently greeted
by crowds Of Grand Army men and other spec
tators wao had heard Of the coming Of the ma
u nal commander. He was escorted to the New
Deuison on his arrival. where be spent large
part Of the afternoon in greeting Indiana mem
bers Of the order and other friends. The ma
tional commander is q small man. comparatively,
bat nevertheless, presents marked appearance
as he stands. dressed Ia his handsome Grand
Army uniform. eonversiug with those about
him. He lie well rounded and supple, and
straight as an arrow, qualities which make up
for q smallness of stature. de - quick IN his
movements, as well as 10 his manner or speak
Ing. WHAT Ia, served to lake him 20 popular
among the sol, .ers OF the Nation and secured
his election as grand commander last fall at ST.
Louis is his I'm pulsise and warm hearted spirit.
his entb usiasm for the cause Of the soldiers and
the high mental qualities which equip him for
place Of such importance.
In q conversation with Journal reporter,
/. Gus everywhere. II have been around great
deal since last fall" he continued. land, Ear
as l know, the organization could not be 10 u
better condition liz 10 increasing steadily in
numbers. That may seem strange TO some. who
thought that the order already embraced about
all the surviving soldiers OF the war, but the
membership is being enlarged with great regu-
larity.'
What is the outlook in the matter of PEN
sion leeislationf"
well hope the House will now pass the
Grand Army pension BILL the Senate having al
ready passed favorably upon it IL will pass II
IL gets before the House. have no doubt, aud
presume that 10 will be eventually brought for
ward, although it seems just at present. 20 be
hanging fire. The House committee has already
reported on ir favorably.'
THE bill Is about what the National Encamp-
uens demanded last fall, is it notf
'Oh, it lie the very identical bill drawn up at
the encampmsnt-tne disability pension bill.
It's provisions are, substau TALLY. that every man
who served In the war, and is now disabled
physically, shall have . pension; or, perhaps
had better say physically incapacitatsd. When
. man who served in the war breaks down now,
~ difficult to connect bis present condition With
the service he then rendered The fact that he
gave honorable service in the war should, there
fore, DO the only condition. The men who
served on the battle field discounted their future
and shortened their lives ten years.
What are the prospects for the next National
Encampmeutr
sit Will unquestionsbly be the greatest 10 the
history Of the organization. The chairman Of
the committee on arrangements told me recent
ly that Columbus. o., was preparing to accom-
nodats 100000 visitors during the week of the
sncampment, which begins Sept. 10. Last year.
ut ST. Louis. the weather was against rs. but
expect 70 see More Grand Army men next Sop
stsmbsr than / have ever seen before
General Rea refused to talk upon any political
subject 'In my present capacity" said he. II
would feel reluctant about talking politics any
where, and especially while am here attending
. meeting Of the Grand Army. The sspsrsion
of being . political organization has already
falsely been laid upon it The Grand Army is q
frassrnal organization, than which no other is
fresr from partisanship. Every man in 1t un-
doubtsdiy has firm political convictions / am
quite sure that have, but We do not manifest
them In connection with our Grand Army
duties. have been reported as talking politics
Ia several places. but as a matter Of fact have
never said word" During the afternoon the
commander. attended by Colonel Walker, Gen.
Carnahsn, Colonel Vanosdol and Major Robbins,
visited the several points Of interest about the
city.