New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-08-11
THE DOSTON ENCAMPNENT


BOSTON is 70 he the centre of patriotic rem
inisccnco and activity this week. The annual
Cncampmont of the Grand Army is to be held
there under most favorable conditions Tor an
impressive military pageant and harmonious
reunion Of battle scared veterans. The Pres
dent himself q soldier who has never been
wanting in devotion to the Interests OF his
comrades il arms, is TO attend the Encanp-
nc Il, lcndirc the authority and prestige Of his
high Office 10 the meeting as a token OF the
rcspcct which the First Citizen of the Kepub-
lie ought always to display for the heroes in
blue. There is also 10 be q noteworthy nava.
review in honor Of the veterans, fleet of seven
vessels. including the Baltimore and the his
toIic Keawarge, making Boston Iarbor their
rendezvous The Encampmcnt itself being the
first one held in the East for many years prom
iSpS 70 be one OF unwonted brillianCy and in
'ercst. The attendance of veterans is already
estimated by enthusiasts as likely to approach
loo. GOO. and certainly will exceed the muster
at either Columbus or Milwaukee, if it does
not equal that at st. Louis. 50 long as Faneuil
Hall and the Ola south stand Boston can never
be anything but an intensely patriotic town.
The veterans are certain to receive there a
welcome Of overwhelming cordially.
There are no controversial questions which
are likely 10 arise ar the business sessions OF
the Encampment. The time has passed when
heated debates over any matter Of Grand Army
policy could be brought On. The veterans are
feeling the mcll0vjng effects if not the weight
of years. and harmonious action and fratcrlla
tolerance and goodwill are inStinctlvey dis
PLAYED II there were ever a necessity tor the
enforced secrecy Of the Encampmcnt proceed
ings, it has ceased to have any practical justiii
cation Nothing is really gained by the mys
terry and privacy with which the transactions
are invested. The proceedings OF the lcSis-
lativc body or national council are invariably
reported 10y the press. not lnirequently with
eXaggcrat.on> of friendly differences Of opinion
into acrimonious strife. 1t is a positive diSad-
vantage to the Grand Army that this fiction OF
secrecy and mystery is repeated every year.
IL would greatly promote the interests OF the
organization If the doors OF the Chief council
were to be opened and the proceedings con-
Quoted in the broad light OF day. The elr-
rlcnt Of secrecy is not in accord with the char
actor of the men >,Do fought in the open field
to save The Union. II tend, undoubtedly u
crcatc prejudice against noble and patriotic
assembly of veterans. Boston in the annals
Of American liberty stand, pre-emincniiy Tor
the principle OF free and open debate. is II
too much to hope that under the influence OF
the glorious tla !ition, Of Fancul Hail and the
Old south something viii be done, or at least
the initiative be taken for having the annual
business of the Grand Army publicly trans
acted without any >cmbiance Of mystery
/ Tie business Of the annual session is how
ever. the least important feature Of the vet
! cran,' reunion. The addrcs, Of the command
/ erin chief, tho committee reports, and the
! financial exhibits OF the magnificent relief WORK
/ carried Oh in every State or The Union are OF
secondary interest in comparison with the IN
,piring influences Of an as,cmb.agc Of tens OF
thousands Of gray haired soldiers under then
/ faded and torn battl standards. They belong
not 10 the pr0,aic present OF commercial greed
and political contention, but to the heroic past
of ,elf->aclifcc and chivaiou, devotion I
country They have made history hand over
hand in force march. battlo-charga and VIC
tor;ous siege. They have saved from dc,truc-
! ton the creates, and most enlightened Nation
in Chr.s,cnd9m, and they have secured the lib
Grafton OF million, o. slaves. \ generation
that lives mainly g. make money and t. Spcno
it does well % refresh it,rif once a year by
contemplating this unique gathering Of hcroc'
and patriot,-thc men who have had courage
to do great ard noble things for their country
and TO whom the Nations gratitude is forever
! due.