Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-23

Grand Army Day must never be repeateQ
in the manner of last Tuesdays celebration
at Rock Point.
So say a large number of comrades and lit
cannot be doubted) so think a larger num-
Der. The celebration was made a public
Rffair-anybody and everybody could 60
and anybody and everybody did go. Many
comrades took their wives and children and
the thought that they did so now pains them.
MANY comrades wife declared that she
would never go again. Who could blame
herr An Objectionable element of very
low order which was present in strong num-
berS, disgraced the day with unscemly be-
haTior. IL Is not necessary to detail the d1s-
graceful actions of this element 1t is Sll111-
cicnt that on next Grand Army Day-where
ever it may be celebrated-this objection
able feature must and will be eliminated.
Grand Army Day Is designed to be a day or
freedom and pleasure for the old soldiers
and their people. Last Tuesday at Rock
Polnt was DAY OF hard work and anxiety
Tor the veterans and their valuable assistants
the ladies auxiliaries. II is held by a
number of old soldiers that Rock Point is
not suitable place for the Grand Army
Day celebration. The grounds badly
lack convenience, they are not large
enough tor such a crowd as was there
last Tuesday and they are too far away,
some say. There is a difference of opinion
In the matter of distance One lmportant
thing in which the grounds are lacking Is a
sufficient water supply, another Is transpor-
tion facilities.
But the greatest drawback in last Tues
days experience is that Objectionable ele-
ment which VIII be kept ont next year,
whether the day be celebrated at Rock
Point or some other where. The
feeling developed last week is
that if the celebration is to take
the form of picnic it must be made ex-
elusive, so that comrade need not be
ashamed TO take his wife and daughter.
None must he admitted to tha grounds but
old soldiers, their wives and children and
their respectable friends. This can be done
nd i will 1Np of ba
organization for which it is named. An en-
toyable day could be spent at Rock Point,
some think. providing that the inconven-
fences could be remedied, the crowd
made about one-fourth what it was
last Tuesday, the attendance restricted
10 desirable persons, and all fakirs debarred.
Some think Rock Point is too far away, and
would favor grounds about an hours ride
from the city, and which could be reached
bymore than one or two lines of railroad.
Some favor hol ing next wears celebration
at Schenley Park, if the citizens defray the
ordinary expenses, but opponents of this
plan hold that this would make the affair
even more public than at Rock Point. How
ever, the unruly element would conduct it.
self III a more becoming manner, probably.
One suggestion is that the day be celebrat-
ed IN the city again; that there be no parade
as formerly but that there be reunions and
campfires during the day and fireworks
and ball and banquet in the evening. This
would be enjoyed by the veterans and their
tamllleS and the people in general. Many
thousands of visitors would be brought to
the city and the money that they would
leave here would more than reimburse
the business men of the city
who would bear the ordinary expenses, 4
cOmrade, who has this notion pictured in
glowing cOlors how the boys" of 81 could
hold reunions. regimentaI and otherwise re-
new old friendships and talk over old times
during the day, while the visitors could be
shown about the city, how all could gather
in the evening, say alta good point on the
Allegheny river, and witness grand display
OF fireworks, and then how all could ad-
journ to the ball or camp fire
Would e Very aeE Select and dhs the Pa
would be put up TO, say s., which would in
clude supper
follls-sOns and daughters of soldiers and
their youthful friends-buG hundreds of
comrades and their wives would, of course,
attend Five or six Thousand persons would
probably be present. The only place in the
city in which such gathering could be ac-
commodated would be the Exposition build
ing. The whole premises could be secured.
The main floor could be used for dancing,
the upper floors or galleries and the grounds
outside as promenades and, while the terpsi-
chOrean festivities were in progress in the
main building, a grand camp fire could be
held in machinery hall. Thus discoursed
the Comrade whose views are not shared by
another who taought such plan for August
or September impractical bic.
l. l. being quietly whispered about that
the scales are beginning to fall from the
eyes Of our business men who are conscious
o. llH lIlIieDSc cfO"uS IDaJ OIranu ARMY
Day brings wherever celebrated. 1t is said
they are beginning to realize that they are
missing n golden opportunity every year,
and that they are standing in their own
light by not encouraging the holding of the
celebration in the city. 1t is even said that |
a movement is talked of among them to try
10 induce the Grand Army to celebrate the
day in Pittsburg next year.
Some informal discussion of the manner
OF celebrating Grand Army Day will prob
ably be indulged in at the meeting of the
committee at Municipal Hall next Saturday
afternoon. That the problem has not vet
been solved is evident from the unsatisfac-
tory nature OF the day last week