The National tribune., 1891-08-13

nior Vice Command 10 ChieT-Dr. IL. r..
Stevenson, Snrgron-General-S. IL. Paine,
Chapiain-in-C Chief
DETRoIr, Aug. Q, 1891.
The Commander-in- Chief called the Encamp-
ment 10 order at 9:45.
Col. w. +. Vernon read spirited poem,
which was received with cheers:
ELECTION OF COMMANDER IN-CHIEF.
The Adjutant-Gcneral began calling the roll
Of the Departments for candidates for Com.
mander-in Chief The Departments were called
IN the order OF seniority. Illinois, the senior,
had no candidate. When Wisconsin was called,
ComFade Bryant came to tho platform, and IN
an able speech presented the name of Past
Senior Vice CommandGr-in-Ch Chief Weissert,
who. rs boy Of IL, enlisted in the glorious old
Eagle Regiment, the 5th Wis, aud served with
his regiment in all its varied experience until
the reyeille of peace. He was representative
enlisted man, never rising higher than Ser
gcant Major, and his body still holds rebel
lead. He was ono of the oldest Grand Army
men in the Order, being chaTter-member OF
the oldest Post in continuous service. He was a
man Of blameless life, prosperous lawyer, and
genial and true Comrade.
Comrade Clark tlll.), by instruction OF his
Department, seconded the nomination Of the
gallant man who led q charge at Nashville,
and still carries in his body tho bullet received
there. He paid an eloquent tribute to Weis-
would never regret having cast their votes for
such comrade.
Comrade Townsend (O.) spoke of what Ohio
had been in the war, and what she was now.
He would present man whose entire record
shone with glorious light, who led 100 men into
the field, and afterwards commanded his Tegi-
ment in many battles, where his men fell
around him like leaves in Autumn; who poured
out his rich young blood on the field at New
NH anrI aft
was as creditable as his soldier caTeer-he
meant Gen. Samuel III. Hurst
Past Command0r-in-Ch Chief Farchild came
forward amid loud cheering. and said that he
had known Wei5sert foT many years, and knew
Of no better cOmTade, none more untiring and
efficient than he.
When New York was called Corporal Tanner
came forward amid storm Of applause, aud
said that il ever a historian Of the Grand Army
Of the Republic had TO confess that blunder
had been made, il would not be at the Detroit
Encampmcnt. Every man pressed for Com
mander-iu- Chief was fully worthy Oi that high
officer. New York was entitled TO So votes in
the Encampment At tie request of the -
delegates who We're present, he presented the
name OF John Palmer Of New York, who en-
listed on the same day that COmTade Weissert
did, and served as continuously through the
struggle, coming out with the rank of Captain.
lie was fearfuliy injured, and had exhaused the
resources OF medical science TO obtain relief
This had Whitened his locks but had not
chilled his ardor for the GAR He had al
ways been an interesting aud effective worker
for everything that promised TO aid the COM
rades in any way. Tanner made an eloquent
review Of PalmeT's career, aud woke the En-
campmCnt to enthusiasm.
COmrado TaintOr Comm seconded the
nomination Of WoisscTt in a brief speech.
Comradc J. B. Adams GLASS; seconded the
nomination Of Palmer. Twenty years ago,
when the GAR. was not what il is now, nc
knew Palmer as a tlreless worker. lie had
then voted for him for Senior Vice Commander
in Chief, and had never regretted his vote. He
had always been at tho front Of every move
ment FOR the benefit Of bis comrades.
Comrade Nevius said that New Jersey was
unanimous in seconding the nomination OF
Palmer.
Comrade Barnes Cali presented in the name
Of the 1900 young soldiers who went 5000
miles over the sea- or marched across the arid
plains to i0iu hands in the defense Of the
Union. the name Of w. T. Smedberg, the gall
liant boy soldier, who was the favorite of Me-
Ciellan, SlOcum Halietlc, and the GOd-giyen
George III. Thomas. Col. SmcdbeTg was a
superb GA man a charter member Of Geo.
II. Thomas Post. lie has been unwearied in
service for the Order and had been selected by
California as her representative Grand Army
man. California was gran1ly loyal State
she had not a pauper veteran in her borders
she had law giving pefAsuce ia employment
20 veterans, aud IL was cIf.pTCea. There were
more One-auned soldiers making their living
there, in proportion than in any other COM
munity, and the only GAR. man in the peni-
Tertiary was pardOncd out last Fall, because ne
was innocent OF the crime Of which he was con-
v!cted. Tumultuous applause.l Hesmade a
grand culogy Of California, in whose bright
banner there was not thread Of gray.
Comrade Paul Van Der WORT (Neb.) second
ed for himself, not for Nebraska, the nOmina-
tion Of SmedJerg.
C0mrade Thos Stewart (Pa.), on behalf Of
the g. delegates Of his Department, seconded
the nomination Of the man who was true and
constant in the darkest days Of the Order
John Palmer, Of New York. a.
Comradc ID. Z. Henderson, @owa) presented
the unanimous Endorsement Of Iowa Of the
nomination Of Weissert.
Comradc Chase (Ind.) seconded the nomina-
tion Of Weissert.
Comralo Graham (Ind.) seconded the nomi-
nation Of Weissert. a man with whom lie had
marched aud fought for over two years.
Comrade Campbell Kan said that his dele
CATION was a unit in support Of Smedberg
One Of his dearest friends was Palmer Of New
York and he thought Ncissert was one OF the
most glorious Of comrades. UprOariOus laugh
ter. lie finally straightCHed himself out in
an eloquent tribute 10 Smedberg. and indorsed
his nomination in the name Of the 10000 vet
Grams Of Kansas.
Comrade Tuttle tOre.) seconded the nomina-
tion Of Smcdberg.
Comrade Min!er (Ky.) seconded the nomiaa-
ti0n OF WeisseTt.
C0mrado Hoiton Wash. and Alaska) said
that his Department Was unanimously in favor
Of Smedbcrg.
Comrade Fountain N. NJ seconded the
nomination or Smedberg.
Comrade PettibOne trenn): Cesar said
three words: Feni, vidi, yici." Tennessee says
three: "WcisscFt. Woi5sert! Weissert!"
Comrade Hurst Ohio said that Ohio was
Justly proud Of many Of her great qualities,
but she was most proud Of her mOdesty.
Laughter. She also believed in justice. She
has long believed that New York was entitled
10 the COmmauier-in- Chiclship. and with char
sctcristic Ohio modesty would withdraw his
own name, and second that OF John Palmer; OF
New York. lTumultuous cheering.
II was decided that vote should Ge by ballot.
Comrades Bryant wis, Cummings (N. VI,
and Barnes tCal.) were appointed tellers.
The first ballot resulted As follows:
] ! J