The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1890-08-22
NATIONAL ENCAMPMENT.
Opening Of the Twenty-Fourth
National Encampment Ct. A. r.
Synopsis OF tho Address of Commander
in-Chief AIger-StatIstics from the
Adjutant's Report-New Of
fcers Chosen, Etc.

ACIOAdbCAf anu viz AOOA "~S N~-
tirely occupied by delegates, while the
balconies, which were set apart for mem
bers of the Grand Army, were filled with
veterans. General Sherman was one OF
the first to arrive, and he took
seat with the Missouri department.
although urged to go upon the
platform. He was warmly greeted
by the comrades, and was the center
of attraction. General Charles Devens,
past Commander-in-Chief, was with the
Massachusetts, delegates, and other de-
partments were represented by promi-
nent soldiers.
A meeting of the National council of
administration delayed the opening of
proceedings, and it was eleven o'clock
when General Alger appeared upon the
platform and was applauded by the
delegates.
After prayer by Past Cbaplain-in-
Chief Rev. ]. n. Foster, General Alger
said it was the wish of the commander
and of all comrades that General Sher-
man, who was in the center of the hall,
should come to the platform.
General Sherman arose amid great
applause and said he preferred to re-
udlu VIII lLc AlloSOuE1
General Alger said: "Your wish is
my order, but prefer you would come
up on the platform" Applause.
General Sherman declined to leave
his seat.
Commander-in-Chief Alger then de-
livered his annual address, in the course
of which he said:
While we lament the loss of nearly all Of
our old commanders. 1t Is q source OF great
consolation and pleas ure to know that one
| OF those great leaders of men is still spared
| TO us and is in our midst to-day. Upon him
this Nation Is pouring its wealth of love and
| gratitude. Let hope and pray that he
may long be permitted to remain here, our
leader, our commander, our idol and our
comrade God bless you, General Sherman.
| Our love for you is beyond words.
Referring to the condition of the organ
| ization, he said that with few excep-
tions it was excellent
| There have been, he continued, some dis
| agreements in the Departments of Louisi-
| ana and Mississippi, drawn upon the color
| line, the details of which will be found In
the records of the Judge Advocate General
| 1t Is the same question that to- day Is dis
| turbing many localities in the Southern part
| of this country, and which will require
patience and concessions from all parties to
| settle. 1t has been my determination to rec
ognize US "A comrade. and with equal rights,
/ every man, no matter what his color ma
tionalty, provided he has the two qualifica-
| tions-service and honorable discharge. In
| this great struggle of life the strong should
| aid the weak. 1t ennobles the former and
/ helps to elevate the latter. A synopsis of
/ the opinions of the Judge Advocate General,
| those approved and those disapproved, will
| be found in the report of the Adiutant- Gem
/ eral.
The official reports presented to tho TWEEN
| ty-thtrd National encampment, dated June
| 80 1889, gave the total memb ership as borne
1 on the rolls at that date as 4l0,6SS On June
3d. 1890. the total membership was 45s,23O.
With regard to the Disability Pension
bill he said:
| by n careful reading OF this law and the
| official explanation given of it. IL will be
| seen that, no matter what mans financial
| condition may be, IL he be physically dis
| abIed from performing manual labor he Is
| entitled to a pension. Let US be just to our
| lawmakers, even though they have not
| given us all we asked; no country on earth
| is or ever has been nearly as generous to
| its soldiers as ours.
Referring to General Logan's monu-
| ment, he said:
The funds In the hands OF the trustees,
| outside of the appropriation made by Con-
| gross for the sight and pedestal, amount
| to S12s4L67. Isincerely trust that the time
| is not far distant when this tribute to tn o
| beloved leader will have been completed.
| Iowa Circle, in the City OF Washington, has
been selected as the permanent site for this
| monument.
monument General Alger stated that
under general orders from Grand Army
headquarters to the posts throughout
the country, asking for contributions of
from ten to twenty-five cents per men,
Der, there has been received to August
., inclusive, S447.94
Congr---. 1ntinued the General, has
heretofore passed a law granting SAC, 900 each
for the purchase of q site and pedestal for
mon uments to Generals Sheridan, Logan
and Hancock. Unless this law be so amend
ed that portion of the amount not needed
as specified can be converted to the pur-
chase of statues, when we consider the fact
that an equestrian statue costs about $50 coo,
II is evident that the time for their final
completion is far distant. These work rs
should all be pushed with the utmost vigor.
Touching the General Grant monu-
ment he said:
An ordinary plain vault on the banks of
the Hudson marks the place of our great
chieftain. This Is not credtable either to
us or to this Nation. There should be erect
ed at tho capital of this Government, dedi-
Gated TO the memory OF this great man. a
memorial building such as will be a credit
to the whole people. Not shaft;
| not a statue, but a monumental structure
such has not been builded in this any
other country. One to which every citizen
within the domains of this great land can
| refer with just pride i recommend that a
committee of five be appointed by this en-
| campment whose duties shall be in
accordance with the foregoing, and
who shall be empowered to solicit
| aid from the General Government
and from individuals. i think we give too
little thought to patriotic sentiment; to the
glories of the past; to the shrine of the
veteran; to the old flag: too little thought
to the blessings we enjoy. Every patriotic
act. every subscription to the monument
funds; every dollar devoted to the relief of
the suffering; every gathering where pat
ulotic sentiments are expressed, help to
build a wealth that can not be represented
In figures, because every such act breathes
the life that will perpetuate our love for the
Nation and continue its prosperity.
The address was received with fire.
quent expressions of approval by the
large body of delegates present
The reports of Adiutant-General
George III. Hopkins of Detroit and
Quartermaster-General Taylor, of Phil
adelphia, were presented.
The report of the Adjutant-General
shows that on June 80, 1890, there were
in the several departments 7.17s posts,
with a membership of 397, 3s5. The
gains since June 80, 1889, were $50
posts and 90 217 members. The
losses were 20 posts and 1.5s1
members The number of deaths
during the year was 5,476. The amount