The record-union., 1891-08-06
Special to the RECoRD-UNIoN.

Special to the RECoRD-UNIoN.
DETROIT, Aug. 5.-The twenty-fifth an
nual encampment, q. A. r., met in
formal session this morning. All that art
and cultured taste could do to make the
mammoth building attractive has been
exerted in the decorations, which adorn
the interior in emblematic order Despite
the immensity of the hall it was crowded
TO the utmost.
A few minutes before the opening Gen
eral Veazey and staff entered the hall and
were escorted to the grand stand. The
appearance of the Commander-in- Chief
was the signal for applause. Rapping
the assemblage to order, he announced
the formal opening of the encampment.
and directed the Adjutant-Generalt to call
the roll of the departments. Every State
and Territory in the Union was repre-
sented, and the roll showed the fullest at
tendance of delegates in the history of the
organization.
The opening address of the Command
er-in-Chief was listened to in rapt atten-
ton.
Comrades" said General Veazey.
''this is the silver anniversary of birth.
not OF wedding. The wedding occurred
when the bridegrooms, the youth of the
land, eniisted in its defense. Abraham
Ilneotn celebrated the marriage nuptials.
Columbia was the bride. Her vesture was
the nations flag. A pledge to re-estab-
hsh that flag over the domain of Secessia
was the price of her hand. When the
pledge was grandly redeemed through
bloody strife, through suffering and
death, and after the victors had placed on
the brow of the bride the new diadem,
whose gems were honor, valor, fame,
hberty unStalned with slavery, a country
united and free, the fruit of that marriage
was the Grand Army of the Republic, an
offspring worthy of it's royal parentage. -
reference was then made by the Cen
eral TO the increasing esteem in which
the q. A. r. is held by the people gener-
ally, and comrades in particular. A
touching allusion was made to the mn
merous deaths in the order during the
past year, special mention being made of
sherman and Porter. 4 tribute was paid
TO the present and prospective usefulness
OF the Sons of Veterans organization,
which is increasing in membership
yearly.
In touching on the NEGRO question. -
as affecting the @. a. r., General Veazey
reviewed the difficulties which have ex-
listed over the colored posts in the De-
partment OF Louisiana and Mississippi
ever since they organized in 1869. Con-
tinuing, he said: "The charge has been
from different sources that the organiza-
ton of these posts was tainted with ir-
regularities as to be utterly destructive
of their legal existence. Our rules and
regulations provide plain procedure for
the department to pursue in order to test
the validity of such charges. The De-
partment of Louisiana and Mississippi
never, so far as l am informed, resorted
TO that procedure. / have held, in deal
ing with those posts, that they must be
regarded as having a legal existence until
otherwise regularly adjudicated. The
Chief ordered an inyesti-
CATION by the Inspector-General into the
affairs OF this department, and the rec
ommendation of the Inspector General
was that this encampment should author
lZe The creation of separate department
covering the same territory as the sew
eraI existing departments in the South
This is supported by memorials adj
dressed to the Commander-in-C Chief by
six posts in the department whose mem
beTshlp Is composed of colored COM
rades1
In regard to this he said: "From vari-
GUS sources of information accessible to
me, believe a large majority of both
white ana colored comrades in the De-
partment OF Louisiana and Mississippi
are strong in the conviction that it would
be for the best interests of all to have sep
arate departments in Louisiana and some
of the other Gulf States, made up of such
posts as may apply to come into it. and
having concurrent jurisdiction with the
departments already established in such
States. / have no policy to urge other
than such as will be for the best interests
of the order, and at the same time protect
the rights of all comrades.
During the year now closing the G. A.
X. paid out from its relief fund 1884, 400.
-g,,r- i
Relief Corps paid to distressed comrades
SI55,000."
Referring to the Mt. McGregor cottage.
where General Grant died, General
NeaZey recommended the encampment
take action to secure from the Govern
ment an appropriation for the mainten-
ance of the property and its preservation
in the same condition that 1t was at the
demise of General Grant. Failing to Sc
cure an appropriation by Congress, he
suggested that trust fund be estab-
lished, or the maintenance Of the cottage
be insured by charging a fee TO visitors
The question of creating memorial hall
at Decatur, Ill, the birthplace of the G.
y. r., was brought up, and he recon-
mended that this encampment take ac-
ton TO aid the project.
In regard to the disability pension bill
passed by the last Congress, General
NeaZey. said if it is not the wisest it is
~ any a ALOGIdl iItdSuIt. 4 ne ldDCTS
OF the q. a. X. Pension Committee were
also reviewed. The Commander-in-C Chief
urged the encampment 10 renew its effort
10 procure an amendment to the Revised
statutes which would give preference to
appointments 70 civil office in the case of
Union veterans. Only one new depart
ment was chartered last year, that of In
dian Territory.
The Commander-in-ch closed his
address with a feeling reference TO the
observance of Memorial Dav and the
high principles which actuate the G.. A.
Il. The declaration that the Commander
in-Chief was in favor OF the establish
ment of departments of the @. A. X. for
negro veterans created decided seusa-
ton. The whites OF Louisiana and Mis-
sissippi are overJoyed at his recommen-
dations.
REPORTS OF STAFF OFFICERS.
The reports of officers of the staff were
presented and spread before the Encamp
nent. The Adjutant-G eneral's report for
the period ending June 30, 1891, as far as
the returns were received, shows that
there are in good standing, forty five de-
rartInents, with 400 Posts, and sos, ,067
comrades in good standing. The sum
exnended in charity, as reported for the
year ending June so, 1891, was 1854 900.
frhe total number of deaths for the year
was $3.50.
The Quartermaster-G Generals report
showed assets of S25, ,000 The report on
the Grant Monument fund showed that