Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-05-29

Missouri, Tennessee, Maryland, Washing
ton, D. G. (Potomac), Pennsylvania, New
York, New Jersey in 1866. Michigan, Louis
lana, Kentucky, Nebraska, Arkansas, Col
orado, Virginia, New Mexico, Maine, New
Hampshire, Massachusetts, California,
Rhode Island, Connecticut in 1867. West
Virginia, Florida, Texas, Montana, Della
ware, Vermont in 1868. Oregon 1863
Washington 1877 Utah 1873. Arizona
1881. Dakota, Idaho 1882. Georgia 1888. Ala
bama 1889. The State of Mississippi is at
tached to the department of Louisiana
The Orders Commanders In Chief
The twenty-sixth annual session of the
national encampment of the G. A R is
held this year. Since 1866 sessions have
been held in the following cities: Indian
apolis, twice; Philadelphia, twice; Cincin-
land, New Haven, Harrisburg, Chicago,
Providence, Springfield, Mass, Albany,
Dayton, O., Baltimore, Denver, Minneap-
oils. Portland, Me-, San Francisco, st.
Louis, Columbus, O., Milwaukee, Wis.
Our Commanders in Chief have been
Stephen A. Hurlbut, Illinois; John A.
Logan, Illinois, three years; A. E. Burn
side, Rhode Island, two years. Charles
Devens, Jr., Massachusetts, two years;
John F. Hartranft, Pennsylvania, two
years; ]. c. Robinson, New York, two
wears; William Earnshaw, Ohio; Louis
Wagner, Pennsylvania; George S. Merrill,
Massachusetts,: Paul Vandervoort. Nebras-
ka; Robert B. Beath, Pennsylvania; John s.
Kuntz, Ohio; S s. Burdett, Washington;
Lucius Fairchild Wisconsin; John P. Rae,
Minnesota; William Warner, Missouri;
Russell A. Alger, Michigan; Wheelock G.
Veazey, Vermont .- 49,.
Generals Grant, Sherman, Sheridan. Hayes,
Harrison, Alger, Slocum, Logan-in fact
nearly all the military leaders of
the war, Joined the organization in the early
days of its history, and all of them took an
active part in the work of the order
To-day the G. A. R. numbers over 1000
posts, with nearly half million members.
The progressive growth in membership
may be illustrated in the yearly gains
from 1870 to 1889 inclusive. In 1877 the
total gain was $50; 1878, 1873; 1879, 13, 1856;
80, 745; 1884, 81 ,772; 1885, q, ,619; 1886, 28,-
7S4; 1887, 80, ,345; 1883, II, ,044; 1889, 25,014.
General Pa!mer's Rebel Flag Ideas
Probably the most striking and important
resolution presented before the national en-
campments of late years was that in regard
to the "Contederate" flag. This resolution
was presented two years ago at Boston, and
stated that "the frequent display in public
places and upon public occasions of the
Confederate flag, which was the chosen
emblem of Rebellion, is an affront to
patriotism, encourages disloyalty and
lessons respect for our Government and the
Stars and Stripes which is the flag
of the Union" It was recommended
by United States law. This resolu-
asked if it met with the general approval
of the members of the order. In my Off
cial capacity have travelled nearly 40, 600
miles in my visits to different State en-
campments. Up to this time 1 have at
tended "a encampments, and in every State
l have visited the action of the National
Encampment was Endorsed with unbounded
enthusiasm. Why, there is only room for
one flag in this country. Everp loyal
American citizen will admit this fact
whether he fought for or against the Union.
Some time since was very much amused
over discussion between two "Celtic" cit
izens. One had served in the Union army
and the other in the Confederate. The lat
ter said to the Union veteran: ''This COM
mander of yours is kicking up a divil of
fuss about our little flag. What right has
he to say we can't carry the flag? Shure,
and didn't we fight under it? And didn't
we bleed under it? And didn't we go down
to DEBATE under it? Aud haven't we right
to rverance it? And, shure, don't we shleep
wild it?''
"The Union veteran replied: sShure,
who cares about your old flag? Shure, don't
we know you's fought under it? And
didn't we's lick you? You may riverance
your old flag, and may the divil take your
old flag, and We can go to shleep wild it and
10 oil Aoo hat
we care about, but confound We, We have no
business to be maxim new ones"
Satisfied With Pension Provisions.
In the matter of pensions the majority of
the members of the G. A. r.. favored the
per diem bill, which provided for man ac-
cording to the amount of service rendered,
but the last bill passed by Congress wasxso
generous that the members Of the order
have not been disposed to ask for additional
pension legislation except in case of in
equality. That is to saw, there was no
reason why one widow should receive SS
per month and another S12 In some cases,
too, pensions were not adequate to the
character of disability incurred. %.
For 26 years, during the entire existence
Of the G. A. R., politics has been kept out
of the order. Every inspiration in our
organization is ennobling, and by its prin-
mas established the grandest brotherhood
md school of patriotism the world has ever
known. This great association of Union
veterans was not organized to perpetuate
,he bitterness and hatred engendered by |
he war, but to strengthen those ties which |
gefe welded in the fire of battle, and by |
he bright example of our lives to point out |
o the rising generation that eternal vigi- |
ance is the price of liberty.
In the words of a Past Commander in |
Chief of the G. A. R., "No child can be |
BORN into it; no proclamation of President, |
.dict Of King, or ukase Of Czar can command |
omission; no university or institution of
earning can issue a diploma authorizing its
lolder TO entrance; no act of Congress or
Parliament secures recognition; the wealth
# a Vanderbilt cannot purchase the position; /
is doors swing open only upon presentation
# the bit OF paper. torn, worn, begrimed it
nay be, which certifies to an honorable dis
barge from the armies or navies of the
alton during the war against rebellion.
JOHN PALMER.
A New Torpedo Detector.
The electric current, which is used for
he propulsion of torpedoes, is now used