The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-10-06
NEXT YEARS ENcAMPMENT.
Its Honor snd Responsibility Do Not Belong
TO indianapolis Alone, but to the State.

To the Editor OF the INDIANAPOLIS Journal
Indiana has been honored in the selection
of her capital city for the next meeting
place of the Grand Army of the Republic.
1t Is the greatest and the grandest ~convoca-
ton OF unadulterated loyalty that occurs
annually in our land. 1t is a non-sectional
and q n~on-politicaI organization. 1t Is an
organization numbering over 400. 600 men,
every one of whom is q patriot,
tried and true. 1t is an organiza-
ton within whose ranks no man
on whom the stain of treason rests can
come. 1t is the Grand Army of the Repub-
lie whose glory shines from the armament
OF our country's flag as do the stars from
the blue vault of heaven. 1t is an organi-
cation In which the combined crown of
all the monarchs of the world cannot OBJ
ain even an honorary membership. Not
even q Governor, O Senator or q President
in our own land can wear the little bronze
badge and bear the honor of comradeship
in this order without the record OF personal
and honorable service IN the grand army
that saved the life of the Nation.
1t is not for the city of Indianapolis alone
to entertain this organized body of our Ma
tion's heroes and their families and friends,
but il is a matter for the State, and should
be a matter of State pride to suitably re-
ceive and entertain them. We who are not
residents OF Indianapolis are not willing to
concede-if such should be clalmed-tnat
the National Encampment was located at
Indianapolis because of Indianapolis alone;
but it was to honor our glorious State and
to commemorate her loyalty during the
Wal tor The Union, and to give the pres
ence of this great patriotic organization TO
the ceremony of dedIcating our State
soldiers n sailors monument 1t
Is not an occasion that the
city of Indianapolis should attempt to ap-
propriate to herself. We are willing to ad-
nit that Indianapolis is the biggest town
in the State, but will not admit that Indi-
annapolis Is as big as the State by many
hundred per cent. Therefore we ask onr
friends of the capital city to count us in
In all matters relating TO the coming Ma
bear our part of the expenses. and expect
to receive our part of the honors. Let
there be at once proper committees selected
in every county in the State to raise the
Isnss necessary of the TO a msss 'n Comi sHr
event. Every Grand Army post IN
the department should take active interest
IN the matter without delay; and the Wom-
ans Relief Corps-well. / need not suggest
to them a single thing. / know them, and
will venture the assertion that they will
be 81 scientifically at work. preparing for
the encampmeDt. and the meeting of their
sisters, before the men begin TO get ready
to make a move. God bless the women of
the Relief Corps. l will not take time now.
but will write you some time what / know
of the workings of that order. Let lie
again suggest that the State of Indiana 1T
once proceed to make arrangements Tor her
two hundred thousand guests. Let US give
them a cordial welcome and a moss hos
pitable entertainments.
CHARLES NJ. TRAVIS.
CR-AwFoRDsvILLE, Ind, Oct. 3.