The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-08-06

wn decided on to-day on the hrst
BALLOT, and although partisans of Lin
coIp, Neb. felt disappointed, there is q
general resolve by veterans from all
Spprters to make the encampment at
Washington ono worthy of tho capital
Of the union.
The ,wenty.fifth annual encampment
Of the G. A. r. met in formal session
,bis morning in the mammoth hall that
had been set apart for the business de-
Ibeyations of the veterans.
All that art and cultured taste could
do had been done in the decorations
which adorned tho convention hall.
From the walls and ceiling hung flags
nj ali nations, bunting and emblems OF
the order, and set in plush which coy
cred the side walls were numerous suits
Of nickcl-platcd ancient armor, sur
rounded with groups OF flags OF the
army and navy, and American shields
with silver wreaths OF laurel. Clusters
ei ipcaudescent lamps shed q brilliant
light over the interior: - >.
Despite the immensity Of the hall, it
was crowded to its utmost seating capac-
ity BY the multitude Of veterans at
tractcd By the momentous questions to
he settled by this Eucampment, TWAS
iul!y understood that the race question
migh, be prccipitated in the delibera-
tions at any moment and become the
ubiec, OF acrimonious discussion, and
this impending problem, together with
theproiected revision OF the constitution,
combined to heighten the general inter
est in the proceedings.
A few minutes before the hour OF
opening, Gen. Veazey and his staff en-
tered the hall and were escorted to the
grand stand. The appearance OF the
Commander.in-C Chief was the signal for
generous applause, and q minute later
the two bands burst forth in an inspir-
ing military air in harmony with the
martial scene. Rapping the assemblage
to order, the Commander-in-Chiet an
nounced the formal opening Of the
twenty-ffth annual encampment OF the
Il. A. r., and directed the Adjutant
General to call the roll of the depart
ments. Every State and territory in tho
Union-not excepting far-of Alaska
was represented, and the roll showed
the fullest attendance Of delegates in
the history Of the organization.
COMMANDER vEAzEY's ADDRESS.
Commander-in. Chief Veazey then de-
livered the annual opening address,
which was listened to with the closest
attention by the assembled veterans.
The commander said:
CoNRADEs:-This is the silver anni-
versary OF q birth, not OF n wedding,
The wedding occurred when the BRIDE
grooms, the youth Of the land, enlisted
in its defense. Abraham Lincoln cele-
brated the marriage nuptials. Colum-
bia was the bride; her vesture was the
Nations flag The pledge to re.estab-
llsh that flag over the domain Of Seces-
sla was the price OF her hand. When
the pledge was grandly redeemed
through bloody strife, through suffer-
ing and death, and after the victors had
placed on the bride q new diadem whose
gems were honor, valor, fame, liberty
uhtanted with slavery, n country re-
united and free, the fruit of that mar
FIage was the Grand Army OF the Re
public, an offspring worthy of its royal
larentNge. The date OF the birth was
April 6, 1866.
The observance Of this silver anni.
VerS4ry began on the sixth day Of April
OF this year. In every town and city in
all this broad country where posts ex-
isted, the comrades assembled in open
meetings which the public attended in
tthrongs beyong the capacity OF the
largest halls, and all at the same hour
united in praise and thanksgiving to
Almighty God for the great blessings
lie had vonchsafed to our country and
10 the men who had fought its battles,
ana had since labored faithfully on the
INES Of good citizenship and had culti-
vga'ed the Christian and patriotic princi-
pes OF fraternity, charity and loyalty.
y. Reference was then made by Genera
NSazey to the increasing esteem in
which the 6. A. r. was held by the peo-
generally and comrades in particular.
Ae referred pathetically to the death
uurIng the past year of Generals Sher-
man, Porter, Hamlin, Devins, Tobin and
osher honored members OF the order,
congratulated and thanked tho female
supporters OF the order and the Sons Of
Veterans, and then took up the dispute
over the negro posts in the South, con.
CeTIming which he said:
Ihe present administration en-.
TWoNh'ercd the same disturbances in the
department. Of Louisiana and Missis-
Epplthat had troubled my predecessors.
from various sources Of information
Si9t SSi9t have been accessible to me. l
Osiieve that q large majority OF both
TTHite and colored comrades in tho
department Of Louisiana and Missis.
is..ppl are strong in the conviction that
y would be for the best interests of all
Individually, and OF their posts and OF
sHe order, TO have separate Depart
H.ght IN Louisiana and some of the
oIner Gull States, made up OF such
Pos!s as may apply to come into it, and
having concurrent jurisdiction with the
departments already established in
sseh States; concurrent In respect 10
[ne ehartering and mastering OF posts,
nut each Department having exclusive
jurisdiction over the posts which ii
may receive,
Ny My best judgment, after q year OF
palhstaSing Investigation, is that Il
Would be wise TO confer authorize Nror
my successor to create such aansTi.
ment. He may neither And II nesessary i ;,
conferred. 'N FV"S'' a
e NSS'Sp5FingtO ! : the charitable work OF the
u; "A a. X, Gen. Vealey said:
o,ia. LUG Suslal reports show that our
O'Ue'. during the year now closing, has