The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1892-09-24

THE G. a. R. ENcAMPMeNT.
Opening of the Twenty-sixth Session Yea

ssS@ ~. ~ IA. 1IS$fAIvettuGt
Opening of the Twenty-sixth Session Yes
terday.
WASHINGTON. Sept s2. The twenty
sixth national encampment OF tho Il.
A. r. began its session In Albnngh's
opera house Wednesday, Commits
missioner Douglas welcomed the dele
gates to the capital in behalf of the
citizens OF Washington Commander
ln-Chief Palmer responded in behalf OF
the Grand Army and then proceeded
to deliver his report as commandcr-in.
chief as follows:
Comrades: Tho national encampmcnt
OF tho Grand Army of the Republic brings
together represenlativc soldiers from all
over the loynl land There is scarcely
bnttle field of that grcnt civil contest but
has ita representatives l,erc today. Within
Its ranks are men of all political pnr.ic,
and religious creods he differences il
rank which the army reflected are lost in
the equalities of free mud common citi-
zenship. The dominating thought il
patriotism. The principles appeal TO
patriots of every name and party 1t is
peculiarly befitting that we should meet
once more In the beautiful capital city of
the nation, where the repre- .cnt tntives OF
6o,09O,G COO of freemen gather IT, enact our
laws. aud to look backward over the pe,ils
surmounted. and forward to the growing
greatness of n redeemed land
AS we look back over ihe long line of
distinguished comrndes whose pn riotic
devotion to their country and in spring
presence upon the battlefield ofteutimes
stimulated us to deeds of valor, but who
no longer answer to roll call in our en-
campments, we are forc;hiy reminded that
\. ~.
memory OF their heroic achievement. and
manly virtues will live long after tie
Grand Army of the Republic ceases TO ex.
ist Let the example or their live. be an
incentive to us all to so live nnd discharge
our duties as citizens with that loyalty
to country and fidelity to duty, so that
when VIC shall have reached tho
end oflife's journey and Joined those gal.
liant comrades whose lives were sacrificed
to their eonntry's liberty, future gene.-
atoms will read with wonder how two
great armies contcndcd for four long
years, where nearly million men on Que
side aud the other, yielded up their lives
in that grent civil conflict, and when the
contest ended, those x eat armies melted
away like the snow on the hilltop, under
the beams of MONDAY sun Rcsun,ing
the peaceful vocations of civil life, the
nation moved GU once more in Il career of
unparalleled progress, prosperity aud hap
rlhess SO that when onr names shall be
inscribed on tho roll of the dead of the
Grand Army of tho Republic we shall de-
sesve to be remembered by those who sur
vive US, and upon Our last resting places
may flourish the evcrgrcens OF n fond md
enduring memory.
During my official term have visited
twenty-five departments, responded to
numerous invitations TO reunions and pub.
lie gatherings, requiring months of time
and labor, travelling nearly 10000 miles,
and my only regret is that was unable to
meet with several departments n. they
met on the same date. and the plnccs of
meeting were too far apart TO reach them
in time. And notwithstanding I have
given UP nearly the entire year to the
work OF the order, ] feel that my efforts
have been but feeble TO serve all my com
rades and do justice to tho great office,
will not trcspnss upon your
into statistics. The repo f is of the M STAFF
officers contain full ana detail statements
OF the work of their respective dcpnrt-
ments and commend them to your care
ful perusnl and consideration l have
been greatly aided in my efforts to serve
you by the efficient and generous support
given me by m mbers of my staff Tu ev-
cry department have visited it was srat.
living 10 notice the interest and enthusi-
asm manifested by the comrades for the
welfare of the order, and while the whit
cned locks and furrowed checss of many
marked the advance of time, the lapse Of
wears has not cooled their fcrvor for the
flag or their determination to hold on high
the standard OF our order, and while we
have sustained many losses by death and
suspension, our greatest loss comes from
delinquent reports; nevertheless, take
| great pride IN saying to Nou That the re-
ports show an increase for the year
General Palmer then related the his
toy OF tho trouble in the departments
of Mississippi and Louisiana arising
out of the refusal of that department
to recognize Post Nos. to il, com
posed of colored veterans
General Palmer then reforred in
terms of commendation to the Woman's
Auxiliary association and the Sons of
Veterans lie urged continued OBJ
servance of Memorial day. saying:
Let it tench tho rising generation that
the liberties and the government which
were established and sustained at snch
terrible cost. should be yielded up by
them, only when. like tile men who wore
the blue, they rest with honor in u SOL
dier3s grave; and should the men of future
years be tempt d to surrender the rights
that were established upon so many battle
helds by these men or become cold or
cailous in their love of country-and it's in.
stitutious. may the mcmoty.of- the grecn
mounds spread all over the lnHh, covering
the remains of the loyal boys in blue who
Welded up their lives. with its hopes and
pleasures for freedom and fatherland, hold
taem firmly to public virtue
Regarding pensions General Palmer
says no additional legislation is asked;
the efforts of the pension committee
being devoted to correcting inequali.
ties. The work of the Grant Monu.
ment association was reviewed and the
recommendation mnde that the ma.
tional encampment ask department
commanders to make an appeal to
their respective posts for contribu.
ton OF cents from each member, to
create fund to be sent to the quarter.
master-genoral, and through him to be
turned over to the Grant Memorial as,
ISOLATION to be invested and the inter.
est applied to the annual care of the
cottage and grounds
Among other Recommendation.
made WAS ono that tho committee be
continued whose duty it is to see that
veterans have preferences in govern.
mont employ. 1t wns also sugges te d
that posts and departments be prohib.
tied from making appeals for funds OF
for legislation,on their own responsibil.
ity The finances OF the order were
declared to be in good condition.
In conclusion General Palmer said:
As lay down the trust SO unanimously
conferred upon me ut Detroit, desire 10
extend to the members of my staff nv
grateful Acknowledgements for the coediaJ
support given me during my term of Office.
To them I nn deeply indebted for thai
measure of success which marks the ad.
ministration of tho affairs committed to
my chargs, and want to extend to all ms
comrades my henStf 1t thanks for the
kindness have received ut their hands
everywhere, have had but one object in
view, to discharge the duties Of the Office
with oil the ability and fidelity God ha4
! given me. If have succeeded in meet,
| Ing your expectations, and meritcd tho
confidence reposed in me, shall feel
amply rewarded for tho year OF time an
energy have devoted to your interests
and as return to the ranks to n.ngls
with you, my comrades, In the work ,hat
Is still before us, it will be my ambition a,
oil times to do my full share for the
future p:ogrcss and prosperity of on,
| grand order.
Charged With Poisoning.
OMAHA, Sept. % Mrs j. NJ. Arma.
gost. OF David City,. middle ageo