The National tribune., 1892-09-29
WELCOMED AND
FEASTED.
Entertainments and Receptions to the
Boys in Blue and Others.
wAsHTNGroN,s HOSPITALITY.
Expressions of Satisfaction Heard on AL
Sides.

Expressions of Satisfaction Heard on All
Sides.
The great and glorious Encampment is over,
and now that the streets are free from regI-
rnents OF veterans and bands OF music and there
is little excitement of any kind. one has a
chance to reflect and turn over in his mind
the various incidents of The week. To the stu
dent of human nature was afforded an excellent
field for study, as in the multitude of persons
intending the Encampment was to be found
every conceivable phase of character. The rain,
which Uncle Jerry very considerably held back
until the day after the grand parade and fire.
works, did not materially affect the crowds IN
the streets The Capitol WAS center of interest,
and the Washington Monument did regular
land office business. Ali through the day the
street in trout of the Old Ford's Theater and of
the house where Lincoln died resounded with
tiie tramp of visitors vino trudgcd through the
rain to visit this historical building. At the
time of selecting the next place for Encampment
at the Detroit meeting Washington held out as
one great inGucement TO its claim for the
honor its close proximity TO tho famed battle
fields and the great success and large attend
aBce oi tile numerous excursions TO these
places proved that Nashiurion's claim was
rightly made and that the veterans were
highly pleased To he able to 70 over Tue grounds
SO well remembered by them rs tho scenes Of
many hard fought battles.
During the week excursions were made to
Gettysburg Antietam. Cedar Creek. Fishers
Hin, Frederick, Lexington, New Market
9pequan. South Mountain, Staunton. VIM
chester. Cross Keys. Front Royal. Luray,
Natural Bridge, and Viewers Cave. The great
crowd was we'll handled % lie railroads going
and coming; everybody found good place to
sleep. and plenty OF food at reasonable prices
and last. but not least, the institution OF Grand
Army Place, the long-los; ones found there, the
Il - ftA 4. ritor
voices of the old leaders, and the monster
gatherings the great ellipse, will ever be
most cherished memory in the hearts of the
Bows in Blue.
From every point of view the Encampment
was the greatest and grandest in the history of
the Grand Army of the Republic, and the visit
tors returned to their homes with nothing but
praise for the hospitality extended by the citi.
zens of the Capital City. COMMANDMENTS Chief
Palmer said:
You may Just quote me saying that it has
been one of the most enjoyable if not tho very
grandest in our history. As to cur treatment
here, you may attribute to me any language
you please so long as it is in praise of Washing
ton and its people. Our welcome has simply
been magnificent 1t has seemed TO us that
Washington thought it could not do half
enough to please us. No complaints of any
kind have come to my ears. The stories told
in advance that extortion would be practiced
and the veterans made the prey of selfish peo-
pie who had purpose in bringing the En-
campment to Washington i am happy to say
have been wholly dispelled by what has been
the real experience of every one Of u.s. The
committee in charge of the arrangements has
worked faithfully and we'll. That fact is very
evident, for everything has worked as smoothly
IS it was possible to anticipate. The grand
parade, the decorations, the illu mutations, the
treatment accorded US by the citizens-in
short, everything here has been on scale
(which will make every one who attended
think of tie Encampment of 1892 with ever
recurring pleasure, and 1 doubt if we shall
have its like again"
Capt. George II. Pettis, President of the
California Veteran Volunteer Association, said
hat the Encsmpment brought out more boys
rom the West than he had ever known.
Past Department Joyce of the Department
Of the Potomac said he had attended every
Eccampment except one since 1871, and this
enc ecipsed them ali.
Past Department Commander William E.
Griffith Of Maryland: Living SO closely to
Washington as do / have frequently visited
the city, aud ] have paid no more for any thing
this time than when there was no crowd My
hotel bill is Just the same rs have usually paid
i have been on the staff Of the Chief Marshal
in two or three Inauguration parades, aud
usually paid $40 for horse; this time l have
paid S. That does not look as if the people
here treated us very badly"
Sam G. Waldron. Assistant Inspector General
of Rhode Island: 1t has simply been elegant
do not think New York, with all its resources
could have entertained SO big crowd in as ex-
celient manner"
Col. Weaver. Past Department Commander
of Illinois, and Postmaster at Nation: / could
not say word except in praise. Everything
has passed off SO smoothly"
Col. Grammar. Chief-of Staff of the Depart
ment Of Ohio: This has been an enjoyable
Reunion in every respect. My business COM
pels me TO travel. / have, within few years,
visited probably every part of this country and
Europe. and / venture the prediction that in
few years Washington will be the most mag
nifcent city on the face Of the globe"