The National tribune., 1890-02-20

aiter receiving disabling WOunu, the Saine
qualities which made him splendid soldier,
won him brilliant success in business. lie
had a keen perception of the thing to be
done, and of the bcst way to do it. When
he decided upon this, he threw himself into
the accomplishment Of his purpose with an
energy and courage that knew no abatement
until full success was attained. To-day he
is one of the very foremost business men OF
the whole Nation. His success has not
spoiled him in the least. lie is the same
plain, kindly-hearted, unpretentious man
that he was when his fellow-recruits in the
I'd Mich. Cav. chose him, as the fittest man
among them, TO be their Captain. He is
just as approachable, just rs comrade-like,
just as sympathetic now as then. Probably
he is much more sympathetic for his larger
experience with life has, as is customary
with men of his character, deepened his
sympathies and made them more active. He
apparently regards the great wealth he has
accumulated and the high positions that
have been conferred upon him as mainly
valuable for their greater opportunities for
doing good, and he uses them royalty in
this way.
His speeches throughout the country
have been thoroughly charaCteristic-plain
straightforward, very direct and forcible,
breathing the highest spirit of patriotism
and comradeship, without the slightest
touch of gush or " high falutinism." Incl
dentally he said many things that were of
the highest oratory, because they were such
happy COMBINATIONS of expressions of great
ideas. For example. he said in his speech
before the Encampment of the Department
of the Potomac:
Let us be charitable but let not forget what II
cost to save this Nation. Applause
/ overheard conversation recently between
two young men, sons OF wealthy parents. They
felt great concern the subject OF pensions, and
wondered if the " raid would never end until the
| surplus had been depleted My comrades. but for
/
/ 10 deplctc. and tho men who made IL possible TO
have "A surplus be trusted to preserve IL. Grcat
| applause. Not single member Of organza-
| ton is " Treasury wrecker," and you may open
| the Treasury vaults and place the GAR. guard
and every dollar would be safe.
Again:
| As oomrade Of this great organization. Of which
| you part wish to bring 20 you the congraua-
tons Of the Encnmpmcnts of the different Depart
| ments where l have visited. and assure you that
| the feeling Of comradcship among the men who
wore the blue is growing more and more ntensc,
\ and that tic loyal hearts who enlisted in '6l-e1
feel more deeply feel more strongly tho bond that
binds us together brothers tonight than ever
before. fApplause
| have been very much disturbed by some thing,
that have been said of late by those WHO faced IA.
on the field; but you may go from end Of this
Nation TO tho other, and you may visit every Grand
Army Of the Republic Posi-. aud you will never
hear disrespectful word said Of the men who con.
fronted us on the battlefield. lAppiause.
| The Grand Army men. the men who wore tho
blue, admire tho courage OF those who faced
| them. although they do not in any measure coin.
eide with their sentiments. IApplauso.I wish 10
say this, aud know / voice the feeling Of every
man who served la the army, that while do moi
caro- 10 discuss these matters with these as
social aud business relations OF The men composing
| the two armies. set this we do tench. aud always
will, that in that mighty con,estw right and
1 they were wrong. fLond appause.l
! Almost "a quarter of century has passed since
| the great commander OF the Union Army received
the surrender OF Lee at ApponIattox, and h,
stretched his hand out to lake tho hand Of Lee hs
| snid 10 him and To "A weary Nation tired OF war
| Let have peace" Aud we wish peace from
| end NJ fh. fsud oft. .f,.
the time to tho flag we love revoret
wherever II floats. Applause We hope, too. thu
time is not Ear distant when II will be floating from
every school-honse in the land. fApplauae w,
| wish 10 see II enshrinod ia the hearts and In the
homes OF every man, woman aud child ia thi,
great Nation even the shadow Of tho o
tho Savior Is eushrined in the heart of the believer
tApplause.l
We cannot teach patriotism too much We can
mol Too often refer 10 the struggles Of the war;
cannot tell children too often that we in tha
mighty contest saved n Nation that but for you
| valoT would have been chaos instead of tho might
| lest Government OH earth.
In reference TO pension legislation he said
Comrades in closing. simply want To say W
appreciate these gatherings and this generous hos
| pitaity. We feel that the Government owes 1t &
the comrades who cannot earn living, that the
shall not be treated as panpers. hut wards. w
feel that the Pension Department is being manage
in nm admirable manner lnpplnusel but what "
want aud say IL 10 you gentlemen who make ia
laws, want more laws and al once. The me
who trying 10 get evidence that they served AN
are deserving OF pension. md are seeking la val
for II from one end OF tile country 10 the oiht
want law that shall provide that every man VIII
served his country mud is unable 10 care for hmsc
to-day, shall receive pension. Loud applause.
We want law that the widows Of our old con
rades shall be cared for In n proper manner. IA
| plause. And ask the men who make thea
laws that they shall not defer ii any longer / "a
20 you tonight there all over this country me
who are suffering for the necessarics OF life VIII
served as faithfully any in the army. and IL IL
. burning shame TO this Nation that 1t is So la
plRnsel
Gen. Alger was received in Washingto
with the greatest enthusiasm. The entii
body Of veterans turned ont TO meet hin
and on his visit to the Encampment he speI
hours in shaking hands and exchangir
greetings with the comrades. Afterwal
he attended banquet Mt Wizards Hott
where about 900 Of the comrades, includir
Members Of the Cabinet, Senators, Repr
sentatiyes and high officials, and the tail