Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-09-03
THE MILWAUKEE, ENCAMPMENT.
Scenes, Incidents and Inspirations Of the
Great Event.

MILWAUKEE,, Wis, Aug. 80, 1889.
Tothe Editor ofthe Eagle.
IF there was any prohibition element
in the vast concourse OF people that
| filled all the hotels and boarding houses
of Milwaukee, and then overlooked into
private houses and numerous camps,
their souls must have been appalled,
when contemplating the ocean Of Nil
waukee's famous beverage that disap'
peared continuously down the thirsty
Threats Of the thousands and tens OF
thousands who came mere ''to have a
good time"
Before leaving Wicita l was advised
| by friend who knew ali about Mllwau-
kee to be sure and take my overcoat
along-likewise heavy underciOthing. /
have done SO, and after sweltering in my
shirt sleeves for three days in the ell
campment and walking the streets of
this Teutonic city for nearly week IN a
Grand Army uniform, with streams
of perspiration coursing down my back,
| can't help but think my friend was in
error about the overcoat. One thing is
certain, have taken back all the dis
paraging remarks | ever made about the
"cussedness" of the summer weather in
southern Kansas. People who have
attended one or more of these national
encampments, will scarcely be interested
in recital of what transpired here, for
the main features of such an event are
nearly the same from year to year. But
those who have not been so favored can
have but meagre conception Of the i'm
mensity of national gathering Of the
Grand Army of the Republic. The
worlds conclave of any other order
would suffer sadly by comparison, for
there would be lacking the very essence,
which is distinctive feature OF any
gathering OF old soldiers, namely: that
of sentiment or spirit of comaraderie-not
brotherhood. The feeling is shared not
alone amongst comrades, but by
their mothers. wives, sons
and daughters, extending even TO rela-
tives more remotely removed, and the
assembly of the national encampment
goes even farther. 1t brings together
not only friends and neighbors from the
surrounding country, but distant friends
and relatives who take advantage of the
opportunity afforded by low rates to
visit their old homes.
Aside from this there are features that
appeal to every loyal heart and serve to
;,,to AF nd do
sire, for here as nowhere else can be
witnessed line of seeming interminable
length Of men who fought on every
field of the rebellion-men from every
state in the union and out OF every regi-
ment that responded TO the call OF Faith
er Abraham-old men now, the MAORI
ty of whom | have observed for the first
time have passed the meridian Of life.
Many, very many Of them crippled and
disabled, hobbling along line OF march
three miles i'll length, valnly trying to
keep step to the music
OF band, or drum corps
which at intervals of 100 yards or so, i'll
glaring uniforms and with sprightly
steps move along only intensifying the
contrast with the Old boys Ia blue who
follow in their wake.
Here IS Sherman, the remaining one
Of that great triumverate that conquered
a peal g, with the bearing uprighland his
head still unfrosted, and Corporal Tan
ner, the idol of the rank and tile-the
grand commissioner Of pensions, who
has had the courage 10 carry out to the
letter the contract made by the govern
ment with its soldiers many years ago,
''that for disability incurred i'll the serv-
ice they should receive a suitable pen
sion III addition to stipulated wages,
ratiOns and clothing" or as General Mer-
rilI tersely said in the encampment, 1T
is merely to pay the installments vouch-
safed the soldier when he enlisted. \
pension is not a charity"
The central figure at these national
gatherings for years was General
Logan. His mantle seems to have fallen
on the shoulders of Corporal Tanner.
His course as commissioner of pensions
was most enthusiastically endorsed by
the encampment
in a choice for commander-in-chi
the Grand Army was honored in the Sc
lection of General Alger, Of Michigan.
If, as it is claimed. General Grant was
given to the country by Governor Yates,
of Illinois, then we are indebted to Gov
ernor Alger for the gift OF General
Sheridan.
In the selection of Boston as the next
place of meeting the encampment was
practically unanimous, particularly after
a speech made by an Illinois delegate
who said. che wanted TO go to Boston 10
eat Goldfish balls and squeeze the Massa-
chusetts school marms. How about
baked beans" inquired an anxious dele
gate. Il will let the baked beans speak
for themselves" he replied, and Boston
had won the day. ).