Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1891-08-15
THE GRAND ARMY.
Proceedings of the Silver Jubilee
in Detroit.
The Grand Parade Washington Gets the
I Next Encampmcnt-PaImer Chosen
Commander - Other Officers
sa. Elected, Etc.
THE BoYs IN BLUE.

Grand Army of the Republic met in
formal session Wednes1 lay in the
mammoth hall that had been set apart
for the business deliberations of the
veterans. All that art and taste could
do to make the building attractive
had been exerted in the decorations
which adorned the interior in emblem
attic order
Despite the immensity of the hall it
was crowded to its utmost seating ca
pacity by the multitude of veterans at
tracted by the momentous questions to
be settled at this encampment of the
order.
opening, Gen. Veazey and his staff
entered the hall and were escorted to
the grand stand. The appearance of
the commander in chief was the signal
for generous applause and minute
later the two bands burst forth III an
inspiring military air in harmony
with the martial scene. Rapping the
assemblage to order, the COM
mander in chief announced the
formal opening of the twenty-ffth an
nual encampment of the Grand Army.
of the Repub lie, and directed the adiu-
tart general to call the roll of depart
ments. Every state and territory in
the union-not even excepting far-off
Alaska-was represented and the roll
showed the fullest attendance of dele
gates in the history of the organiza-
ton.
The opening address of the COM
mander in chief was listened to in rapt
attention by the assembled veterans.
He said:
CoMRADEs-This is the silver anniversary of
a b-th,not of wedding. The wedding occurred
when the bridegrooms, the youth OF the land,
enlisted in its defense Abraham Lincoln cele-
brated the marriage nuptials, Columbia was
the bride. Her vesture was the nations flag
The pledge TO establish that flag over
the domain of secession was the pledge
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
new diadem whose gems were honor, valor
fame, liberty untainted with slavery, a country
reunited and free, the fruit of that marriage
was the Grand Army of the Republic, an of
spring worthy OF its royal parentage
After referring pathetically to the
deaths during the past year of Sher-
man, Porter, Hamlin, Devine, Tobin
and other honored members of the or
der. the commander in chief con ntinued:
The present administration encountered the
same disturbances in the department of Louis
lana and Mississippi that had troubled my
predecessors. From various sources OF in
formation that have been accessible to
me, l believe that q large majority of both
white and colored comrades in the depart.
ments OF Louisiana and Mississippi are
strong in the conviction thas 1t would
be for the best interests Of all Individually and
of their posts and OF the order, to have a sepa.
lnpnrtmanr in I.ou sinna and nf he
other gulf states made up OF such posts Us
may apply to come into it and having
concurrent jurisdiction with the department
already established in such states; concur
rent in respect to the chartering and muster
ing OF posts, but each department having
exclusive jurisdiction over the posts which /,
may receive. My best Judgment after year OF
painstaking investigation is that it would be
wise to confer upon my successor the authority
to create such department. He may either
find IL necessary or think 1t best to exercise the
power conferred.
The commander in chief advises that the ex
ecutive officers refrain from ndorsing appeals
for contributions for any purpose, however
worthy except those expressly named in the
objects Of the order. Veterans are apt to bt
strongly influenced by such Endorsements. Il
is recommended that congress be appealed Il
TO provide for the maintenance OF the Noun
McGregor cottage. The G. A. r. has been pay
ing the expenses because no one else assumed
them
The argument in favor of service pension
legislation has been urged upon congress with
out avail but under the disability pension bill
about one thousand pensions are being allowed
per day and will be until the docket of applica
tions is substantially cleared. The numbe
who thought the bill too liberal is rapid.
diminishing as the act becomes better under
stood.
In closing desire to renew the expression
of gratitude which made n year ago for th
great honor you conferred upon me. Having
intended to wrong no one and having received
no uffront from anyone, 1 say to one and all
from the deepest recesses OF my heart, thanl
you and God bless you.
Adjt. Gen. j. I'll. Gouldings annua
report for the year ending July 3
shows that there are in the order forty
five departments, with 7,409 posts ant
39S,06 comrades in good standing
The sum expended in charities durin,
the year was SS33,699 against S217,
957 the previous year. Their
have been $3.50 deaths this year
against 5,479 in 1890. OF the total ar
parent mem bership of 444,3O7, susper
sions, delinquencies and transfers brin
the number down to 39S. 067.
The quartermaster generals repor
showed the assets of the organization
to be as follows: Cash balance on hand
81, 1,so4. IS; due by departments, 81, 429. 4
less due by departments, $1s4. II; bal
ance, $1,24O.24; United States bonds
1907, $4,000 (marset value l 17-l00
$lS,72O; supplies, $2,941.65; total assets
$24,71l.07.
The report on the Grant monumer
fund showed that while this fund
1890 amounted to Sl1, ,3O7.SO, it had bee
augmented but $2379 during the pas
year. OF this amount S226. rs was de
rived as interest on the present funt
so that the actual increase by donatio
had been but $l1.75. This sum was r'
ported by the state of Minnesota.
The inspector generals report aftt
detailing the condition of the order say
in conclusion:
Our comrades in the stronger and mo
prosperous departments should not be forge
full of the necessities of those In weaker AZ
less favored territories and should assist NJ