The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-09-19
SEATTLE. MONDAY. SEP. 10.



THE CAMP FIRE OF THE NATION.
The twenty-sixth grand encampment of
the Grand Army of the Republic begins
today at Washington, ID. c. This
encampment will eclipse In completeness
and historic interest every previous re-
union of the organization. One great
feature of the affair will be the review, in
which the veterans taking part will march
over the same route they covered in 1855
when peace had been proclaimed after four
years Of war, and between 200, 900 and 300.
600 boys in blue of the armies of Grant and
Sherman celebrated the occasion by
marching in their war-worn uniforms up
Pennsylvania avenue from the capitol to
the White House. The formal opening of
the encampment will take place this after.
noon on the grounds surrounding the
Washington monument. President Har-
rison will make the opening speech, and
there will be an address of welcome and
one on behalf Of the Grand Army. Patri-
otto songs will be sung by trained vocalists.
A feature will be ''The Star Spangled
Banner" with the handkerchief salute to
the Gag.
On the 9th Of April, 1866, DR.. B. F.
Stephenson, surgeon of the Fourteenth
Illinois. founded the first Grand Army
post of o dozen members at Decatur, in
that state. and at his death, in ISL, it had
not more than $4,000 to 10000 members.
Last year at Detroit the records showed an
aggregate Of 493, 067 comrades belonging to
7.4O8 posts. The sum expended in charity
for the year was put down at 1888, 700, and
probably the total Of relief funds since the
foundation Of the Grand Army would ex-
coed 81, SOC, 00O There il collateral body
known as the Womep's Relief Corps,
which showed last year . membership Of
77,778.
At the first national encampment held
Ut indianapolis in 1858 resolutions were
adopted declaring that the Grand Army
was established for the maintenance Of the
principles for which its members had
fought. and for procuring legislation to
benefit the widows and orphans of Union
soldiers. The remarkable growth of the
order, now over 10000 strong. is due to
the fact that IL has been true to its creed,
which declares that mo member should in
any manner use this organization for par
tisan purposes; and no discussion of par
tisan questions shall be permitted ct any
OF its meetings. nor shall any nomination
for political purposes be made"
The great parade takes place tomorrow.
and will be . valuable object lesson to the
growing generation that in this way
gathers largely its patriotic education.
The mass Of mankind read and think but
little and have but vague historical knowl-
edge Of the development Of ideas that un-
derlie great political movements and civic
changes. Men are taught patriotism and
pride Of country very much as millions
have been captured by religious faiths,
which appeal chiefly to the outward senses
and superficial sentiments rather than to
the logic of the head or the secret depths
Of the inward soul. The pride, pomp and
circumstance of war appeal to the imagin-
alton and persuade men to forget that they
imply wounds, innumerable privations
and death itself. The imposing outward
ceremonials of religion have won millions
that would have been insensible to moral
or purely spiritual appeal, and the flags,
the music, the glitter and organized sensa-
tionalism of patriotic parades are a most
effective and impressive object lesson to
the young generation, and even to older
persons. who learn by observation rather
than by reading and scholastic training:
20 that as long as human nature remains
as 1t Is today elaborate public celebrations
OF great events In the history of nation
are worth all they cost. II we pass from
the young generation to men of middle
Lie the influence OF such celebrations Is
excellent. IL furnishes up their dim
knowledge and awakens freshly those seri-
Gus reflections that are of permanent value
to every thoughtful citizen.
The $1,000 veterans who will parade to-
morrow are survivors of the armies of the
Union tina. answered the calls of Lincoln.
Probably allowing for re-enlistments
100000 Of individual persons served in
the Union army. OF these $4,000 per-
tshed on the battlefield. or Of wounds and
disease during the conflict. There were
some !. soD. 900 living at the close of the
war. Making . liberal allowance for
deaths. there must be az least . million OF
Union veterans surviving today. and OF
these nearly half must he already on the
pension rolla.
The boy who Was ie when Richmond
fell Is - today. The youngest Union
veterans today ara 81 years of age
tho vast majority OF them are neare,
~ II it were not for the G. A. r.
the growing generation might believe
that the great war for the Union was .
oauselsss fight, "hlack Republican" bar
becue of blood that might have beer
avoided had a Democratic administration
remained in power. iii, were not FOR tn.
O. A. X. and kindred army organization.
and reunions, in this vile age Of trade IN,
memory OF the war, its object and il.
sacrifices would be lost 10 view. the smoke
Of the great battles where rebellion at las
became the brave under bulldog tha. dice
biting hard without = whine would De los
in the dust Of the street
There are wretched. csnkered poliiica
cynics today who can hear no voices com