Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-10-07
GLAD TREY CAME TO WASHINGTON.
The Testimony of One of the National On
GERS of the Grand Army Of the Republic.

The Testimony of One of the National on
GERS of the Grand Army Of the Republic.
To the Editor of The Evening Star.
Permit me word ~ . Grand Army comrade
to extend thanks to The SrAR with compli-
ments for its magnificent issues Of Grand Army
week and for the fairness with which IL dealt
with everything pertaining to the veterans thai
we're within the gates Of its city.
1t has been my privilege to be one among
those who make up these gatherings for q
number Of years Never was there before
such q gathering Of "the boys" and their
treatment while in Washington was such as to
leave no just room for complaint. 1 believe all
returned to thsir homes with naught but the
most kindly remembrance Of the twentieth
national encampment.
Two articles in The STAR Of the Oath ultimo
l was pleased to read, and to which wish to
briefly refer: Under head Of "Sober, Soldierly
and Orderly" first column, page Is, at. N.
@. gives voice to q Ito him) pleasing surprise.
My dear sir, we thank you for your statement
as made, but to the old vets themselves il was
no surprise, simply with them it was a normal
state OF Affairs wherein there was nothing on
their part to wonder at.
My wife, for am Of age, and was lucky
enough to get ''the girl left behind me-" upon
an occasion. says l am afflicted with a disease
she calls the .jiners;" that under its spell 1
'jine" all kinds Of societies. Measurably it
probably is true. By these same tokens have
been permitted to mingle with good many
large gatherings of representative men OF
reputable societies, therefore speak from an
actual experience whom say that in no organi-
cation with which have had to do will there
be found less drunkenness, less ungentlemanly
demeanor than among the comrades Of the
Grand Army Of the Republic in their gather
ings OF whatever size or character, post meet
lngs to departmental or national encampments.
In speaking thus for my comrades 1t is not to
the dlsparagement OF any society. In the fact
stated. no organization 10 dishonored, not one.
This is all the more remarkable from the fact
that these encampments are not made up, as are
conventions Of other societies, OF the elect OF
the same, but Of the mass Of the comrades, for
he who will among them may come and attend
these encampments. Almo1t equally as free
may they enter through the doors into the post
rooms throughout the nation, an honorable dis
charge from service the open sesame to post
room and membership.
at. N. g." has, g. also have many others, by
contact learned to know US better, and knowing
to respect US for what we are-uPright citi-
zens.
The second article to which wish to call A.
tention il found on page 8, same issue, last col
umn, "Tho School Buildings"
The same influences and principles that gave
ST. N. g" occasion for his good opinion Of rs
accounts for the superior preservation from mar
Of the school buildings throughout the city that
were occupied by the comrades Of the Grand
Army.
When Cromwell's old troops disbanded, on
.he return Of Charles II, they melted away
among the body Of the people, only to be iden-
titled thereafter by the superiority of their la
bors and the excellence Of their citizenship. So
it was with the late grand armies Of the north
and south; they melted away at the close Of the
great drama, only to be known thereafter as
among the most desirable sons Of the nation.
am glad we held the encampment in WASH
ington, I am glad it was my privilege to be
there. hope that in the not distant future
shall be permitted to attend a national en-
campment in some city of our magnificent
southland. 1 hope that some such city that
may have learned Of US at Washington and else
where will find it their pleasure to extend to
us such an invitation. For years this idea has
been one Of my pet hobbies. II any city does
feel like extending such an invitation and IL
holding back from financial inability hope
Congress will in its wisdom remove the obstacle
by generous donation, for I verify believe it
would do so much to bring about that desirable
fraternity Of feeling that it would be of immeas-
urable good. Let that time soon come, to
which am satisfied my comrades with as one
voice will acclaim, $50 mote it b."
JOHN T. Booth,
Late Assistant Inspector General, G. AR
CINCINNATI, OHIO, Oct 8, 1892.