Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-08-14
AIGER'S ADDRESS.
The G. A. r. Commander to
the Boys in Blue.
WARM WORDS FOR GEN. SHERMAN.

Slow Progress In Building Monuments
Plea for Grant Memoriai-The PEN
sion Legisiation-Col. yeasey, Vermont,
Elected Misunderstanding
of the woman's Relief Corps Presents
Badge to Secretary Rusk's Daughter
Notes of the Encampment.
Boston, Aug. l4-The festal part of
the G. A. r. National encampment hav-
ing been about concluded by Tuesdays
magnificent parade, the encampment got
down to business yesterday and the dele
gates met at Music hall, which was elab-
orately and beautifully decorated for the
occasion. The floor of the hall was
crowded with delegates and the galleries
with visitors, and the scene was one full
of interest. When Gen. Sherman came in
he was given an ovation, as he always is
He took seat with the Missouri dele
gates and refused to go on the stage, even
when Commander-in-Chi Aiger told
him that it was the wish of his comrades
that he do so. The preliminary prayer
and other matters being completed, Gen.
Alger began his annual address
Tribute to "Old Tecump."
The commander, after few preliminary
remarks, went on rs follows:
awhile we lament the loss of nearly all
of our old commanders, it is a source of
great consolation and pleasure 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 us
hope and pray that he may long be per-
mitted to remain here, our leader, our
God bless you, Gen. Sherman; our love
for you is beyond words"
The Color Line Trouble.
Referring TO the condition of the organ
iZation he said that with few exceptions
it was eXcelant "There have BEEN" he
continued, some disagreements in the de-
partment of Louisiana 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 disturbing 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 recognize
as a comrade the equal rights of every
man, no matter what his color or nation
ality, provided he has the two qualifica-
tions, service and honorable discharge In
this great struggle of life the strong
should aid the weak 1t eunobles the for
mer and helps to elevate the latter.
Membership and Pensions.
''The official reports presented to the
twenty-third national encampment, dated
June 30, 1889, gave the total membership
as borne on the rolls at that date. 410, esd
On June 30. 1870, the total membership
was ASS, 23O" With regard TO the disabil-
ity pension bill he said: by careful
reading of this law and the official ex-
PLANTATION given of it, it will be seen that
no matter what a mans financial condi-
ton may be, if he be physically disabled
from performing manual labor, he is en-
titled 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 gener-
Gus to its soldiers as ours"
The Matter of Monuments.
Referring to Gen. Logan's monument.
he said: 1.-The funds in the hands of the
trustees. outside the appropriation made
by congress for the site and pedestal
amount to S12. S4l.67. L sincerely trust
that the time is not far distant when this
tribute to this beloved leader will have
been completed" Speaking of the Gen
Sheridan monument, Gen. Algsr stated
that under general orders issued from
Grand Army headquarter to the posts
throughout the country, asking for con-
tributions OF from 10 to 25 cents per mem
Der, there has been received to Aug. Q, in
elusive, SA.. 81. Congress" continued
the general. ''has heretofore passed law
granting $40, 600 each for the purchase of
site and pedestal for monuments to Gen
Sheridan, Logan, and Hancock. Unless
this law can be so amended that portion
of the amount not needed as specified can
be converted to the purchase of statues,
when we consider the fact that an eques-
trian statue costs about $50, Co., it is evil
dent that the time for their final compile
ton Is far distant. These works should
all be pushed with the utm ost vigor."
Memorial to Gen. Grant.
Touching the Gen. Grant monument he
said: "An ordinary plain vault on the
banks of the Hudson marks the resting
place of our great chieftain. This is not
creditable either to us CT to this nation
There should be.erected at the capital of
this government, dedicated to the memory
of this great man, memorial building
such as will be credit to the whole peo-
pie. Not a shaft; not statue; hut a
monumental structure such as has not
been builded in this or any other country.
One to which every citizen within the do
mains of this great land can refer with
just pride / recommend that commit
tee of five be appointed by this encamp-
ment whose duties shall be in accordance
with the foregoing, and empowered to So
ticit aid from the general government and
from individuals
A Plea for Patriotism.
II think we give too little thought to
patriotic sentiment, to the glories of the
past, and to the shrine of veteran-the old
flag; too little thought to the blessings we
enjoy. Every patriotic act, every subscrip-
lion to monument fund, every dollar de-
voted to the relief of the suffering. every
gathering where patriotic sentiments are
help to build a wealth that can
not be represented in figures, because
svery such act breathes the life that will
perpetuate our love for the nation and
continue its prosperity"
Gen. Alger closed his address with a
sulogistic reference to Comr AIDE John f.
the fifth commander -in-chief.
who died during the last year. The ad-
dress was received with frequent express
sions of approval by the large body of del
egates present.
Statistics of Various Kinds
Reports were then read showing that
there has been 5,476 deaths during the
year; that s22l, a5O.ls had been expended
Tor relief, the total number relieved hay
ng been ., 4l9; that the total amount sx-
pended was 81, 1857, 534 IS from July L, 1871,
20 July l. 1890: that two new denartmsnta