The National tribune., 1889-08-29

diiA tAaGb JuctaNC bO AbhS imam eh0s ADs ANtf"6
be sustained.
The necessity for reliable aud complete his
tory of the Grand Army of the Republic has
never been questioned. The question has been,
what comrade possessing the required infor-
nation and ability was willing to undertake the
task Since our last Encampment am graft
fed TO be enabled to announce that tins work
has been performed. We have now history
of our organization so accurate aud complete
that it defies adverse criticism. The commit
tee to which was referred the able address of the
Commander-in- Chief at tho 2lst National En-
campment reported rs follows rs to the proper
historian: ave feel justified in saying that
Comrade Beath possesses the knowledge and
the ability necessary to complete such work
and a devotion to the Grand Army that will
make it as perfect rs il is possible TO make it,
and in all respects he comes fully up to the re-
quirements 50 forcibly suggested by the COM
mander- in Chief"
The completed history of the Grand Army of
the Republic by Comrade Beath fully justi-
fies all aud even more than was said by the
committee of the 2lst National Encampment
of his peculiar fitness for such work. lie is
entitled 10 the gratitude of every comrade and
should receive the congratulations and thanks
Of this Encampment for this work of labor and
love- that shall be the evidence of his love Tor
and devotion TO the Grand Army of the Re-
public, whose trusted counselor aud adviser ne
has been for many years.
CENSUS.
It seems impossible TO arrive at even an ap-
oximateIy correct estimate of the number OF
Union soldiers and sailors Of the war of the
rebellion now living those claiming the best
attainable information varying several hundred
thousand in their respective estimates. The
number of the survivors, in my Judgment, is
greatly oyerestimated by those who would de-
feat all legislation looking to a service pension.
That this question should no longer be left
in doubt, ] appeared before the Senate Com
mittee on the Tenth Census and secured an
amendment TO the House bill providing for
the taking of an accurate enumeration OF the
Union soldiers and sailors who may be living
at the time il is taken.
THE FLAG-PUBLIc SCHOOLS.
] commend TO each Department the patriotic
practice of the Posts in the Department of New
York of presenting on the 22d of February, the
birthday of the Father of his Country, the
American flag to such public schools rs are not
vet in possession OF one. Let the children re-
ceive the Stars and Stripes from the men who
placed their bodies as a living wall between it
and those who would tear it down. The future
citizens Of the Republic are being educated in
the public schools; the flag OF their country
should ever be before them as an object lesson.
From its stars and stripes let them learn the
story Of liberty as eXemplihed III the lives ot
Washington, Lincoln, Grant and the patriotic
sons of the Republic who by their valor, suffer-
ing and death rendered the imperishable fame
OF this illuslrious trio possible. Let them learn
10 look upon the American flag By angels
hands to valor given" with as much reverence
as did the Israelites look upon the ark of the
covenant. Let the S.0O0,000 boys and girls In
our elementary schools be thus imbued with
reverence for the flag and all it represents.
Then the future of the Republic is assured and
that flag shall forever wave
"O'er tha land of The free
And the home of the brave"
GRANT COTTAGE
In 1887 Jos w. Drexel, the owner Of the cot
tage on Mt. McGregor, proposed to convey the
cottage aud surrounding grounds TO be beld in
trust By the Commander-in-Chief of the Grand
Army Of the Republic. the President OF the Mt.
McGregor Railway Company, and one other
person 10 be named by the donor.
The death Of Mr.. Drexei before the necessary
legislation was secured to consummate his gen.
erous aud patriotic donation. caused some de-
lay in obtaining the conveyance. ! am pleased
! 20 announce that through the efforts of Com
rades " Martin Curtis of New York, and w.
/ G. Vcszey, Of Vermont, tho Mt McGregor Me-
mortal Association has been organized under
an act Of the Legislature of New York. and the
deeds 10 the cottage executed by the widow
/ with his original proposition.
detailed report will be made by the COM
mittee 20 which this matter was given In charge
At the last National Encampment.
This EncamPment will. / trust, by Rppropri-
ate resolutions. express its thanks for and ap-
probation OF the action Of the heirs Of the late
Mr. Drcxel ia carrying cut his wish regarding
the cottage from which the silent man Of des-
! tiuy--the old field marshal u. s. Gmnt-on
his bed OF suffering aud death, patient and un-
concerned,
"Calmiy looked on either life and here
Saw nothing 10 regret nor there To fear"
Never was man more willing 20 live or ready
10 die; his life was without blemish, his death
4 without fear
II was In the cottage on Mt. McGregor that
Goods finger touched him and he slept" Then
his enmptuTed soul. disenthralled. heard the
welcome plaudft Well done, good and faith
| fnl servanti"
MEMORIAL DAY.
Never In the history Of our organization has
| Memorial Day been more generally observed
than on the Both Of last May. Loving hcarta
found willing hands TO streW the graves of on
dead with the choicest flowers of Spring ! am
led 10 believe that the tender and impressive
ceremonies Of Memorial Day
wake in hearts the living fires.
The holy faith that warmed our siTes."
This day, with its patriotic memories. takes
rs back quarter Of century, and we arc again
with those who went out but did not return
The graves Of these our dead are the Nations
temples Of fame,
"Where honor comes a pilgrim gray,
To bless the turf that wraps their clay"
In honoring OHr dead we increase our devotion
10 the living, leading us 10 nober deeds of fra
ternity and charity that shall warm the cold
cIo,he the naked aud feed the hungry. At th,
graves Of our dead let US highly resolve to dis
charge the full measure of our duty 10 our com
rades living. This duty cannot be pcrformes
by words, however eloquent, bat by deeds tha
shall gladden. the heart Of the widow aud or
phans Of the eomrade dead deeds that shal
take by the hand the fallen c0mrade, destitut
and in rags though he be- and stand him upOi
his feet; deeds that shall be heard aud heede,
IN the councils Of the Nation in obtaining 70
the veterans that justice which has 30 lon
been denied.
DEATHs.
Death is steadily recruiting from our rank
In the year ending June last, brigade OF Oh
soldiers and sailors numbering 4, ,696 marche
. across the invisible and shadowy line separatin
Time from eternity, and pitched their tents o
the other side. They walked through tho val
ley and shadow Of death fearing no evil, lool
, ing back upon life with the proud conscious
ness Of duty well performed. Their eyes
death rested upon the old flag, their ears wei
: ! enraptured with the music of prosperous In
: dnstries blending with the pgeans OF lastin
q peace coming up from free, united, happ
o people.
CHARITY.
j. When / contemplate the spirit Of fraternit
e ! that Deryades Our comrades pfomDtiup the