Omaha daily bee., 1889-08-29
CEN.SnERMAN'S LAST SPEECH
The Old Heros Talks to the Boys
Ended.
HIS DAYS OF SPEAKING OVER.
Old Tecumseh Announces That He
Will Make No More Orations-
AIger Chosen For
Commanders.
The Encampment OPENS.

MILWAUKEE, August 2S.-The twenty-third
national encampment was called TO order by
Commander-in.C Chief Warner at 10:i5. After
prayer by Chaplain Wharton, of the Wiscon-
sin department., and brief intermission,
Commander Warner read his address.
After eulogizing the G.. A. r., Warner
said: THE great gain during the year has
been in the department of the Missouri
Eight departments show a gain in member
ship in good standing of 10, S24. distributed as
follows: Illinois, 1,2S3; Iowa, 1,4l3; Nebras-
ka, 1,709; Pennsylvania, 1,746; New York,
1905; Oha, 2,0O3; Wisconsin, 2,02}; Mis-
souri,, 3,652. The gain in membership during
the year in good standing was 2i,43l."
He commended to each department the pa
triotic practice Of the posts in the department
of New York Of presenting on the birthday
of the father of his country, an American
flag to such public schools are are not in the
possession of one, and SAID:
"Let the 100000 boys and girls In our
public schools be thus imbued with rever
ence for the flag and all it represents. Then
the future of the republic is assureJ.n
Warner closed his address with review
of the pension legislation aud said that the
day was not far distant when an honorable
discharge from the union army or navy shall
be all the evidence necessary to secure
pension to the holder. .
Commander Warner finished his address
at 1890, when recess was taken until 2
p. m.
SHERMAN AT THE SOLDIERS HOME.
About 200 regimental reunions were held
this afternoon. About %, 600 people gathered
at the National Soldiers Homo for disabled
veterans, where the men passed in review
before General Sherman and party. General
Sherman was received with Immense enthu-
siasm and made brief speech which, he
saws is the last he will ever make. General
Sherman said:
"Boys, my speaking days are over. I am
not going to make any more speeches. ! am
glad to see 50 many soldiers looking
hearty and healthy. l think we can stand
on our legs. 1 like to see that our old Uncle
Sam takes pretty good care of these old
soldiers. Uncle Sam cannot make old men
young, but he can IN Ike young men just as
good as sou or l ever were. l see Milwaukee
is full of them aud they are coming out of
the bushes everywhere We have
passed through one crisis of our
chance of another. but nobody
knows the future. Bring up your children
to love and venerate the old soldiers who
fought in 81 and '65, and make tn, m uncover
their heads when they see that banner that
you followed in the days winch tired u.s. Let
us veDerate that flag and love our country
and love each other and stand by each other
as long as we have heads on our shoulders
and legs on our bodies.
"rhose old soldiers who marched against
the enemy in those trying days a grateful
country tries Its best to assist, and will, L
think, in fact am sure, be good to you
when you get old, all that is necessary, but
keep young as long as you can, and do
not go into soldiers home if you can
help it."
Ex-Commssloner Black and Secretary of
Agriculture Rusk also made brief remarks
The annual reunion of the veteran signal
cor held hprp tO-fnV and n1ected Il II
Foraker, of Ohio. president.
The report of the pension committee re-
views in detail the work OF the past eight
years. The last national encampment COM
II ittee prepared two pension bills, the disa-
bility bill and the bill granting pension to
each honorably discharged veteran at the
monthly rate of one cent for each days SER
vice with the minimum limitation OF SS per
month. Bills containing all OF the provisions
of these measures were then in various
forms before committee OF congress, but 1T
was found on consultation with the members
of the last session entirely impossible in the
then state of public affairs TO secure any
favorable action thereon. Should the en-
campment re-afirm its opinion OF one year
ago these bills are ready for early presenta-
tion to both branches of congress at the open
ing Of the session.
From interviews with the leading men,
bers of both houses and the friendly attitude
of the administration and the liberal views
of the secretary OF the interior and the COM
missioner OF pensions, the latter being APP
pointed after eight years of faithful service
on this committee, legislation may be had
which shall go far toward the completion of
the full measure of the nations indebted
ness to the men who defended her flag.
Very unexpectedly the delegates proceeded
to the election of officers tonight General
Russell A. Algcr. of Michigan, had it all his
own way and was elected by acclamation.
Col. A. G. Weisset. of Milwaukee, was
elected senior vice-commander; John Il.
Lovett, of New jersey junior vice-com-
mander. The election of the other officers
was postponed until tomorrow. v''
The following points are taken from the
annual report of Adjutant General Wegler:
There are 32 permanent departments with
6,7l1 posts, and a standing membership of
S32, $50, being net gain of 2 departments,
35l posts and 2l.43l comrades during the past
year. The new departments are those of
Alabama and Georgia. For charity and re-
lief the order spent during The year S237, ,637,
making the total from July |, 1871, 81, ,935, 935.
Boston has been chosen as the place for the