The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-09-22
Annual Addressed Commander.in. Chief
Palmer and Reports of officers.
Union Veterans Union Encampment-Many
CorIs and Other ReuniOns-The Minute
Men of 61" Effect en- Organization.
HoOsIERs AWARDED THE PLUM.

HOOsIERs AWARDED THE PLUM.
Next @. A. r. Encnmpment to Be Held at
Indianspoiis-Generai Paimer's Address
Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON. Sept. 2l.-The twenty
seventh annual encampment of the Grand
Army of the Republic will be held at In
dianapolis. The Hoosier capital was
awarded the honor of entertaining the vet
Grams in 1893 without o struggle. There
was great impatience shown in the busi-
ness meeting of the encampmept this after
noon. when the routine work was all done
and the time came for selecting o place for
next years encampment Corporal Tan
ner did Indianapolis q good turn by refer
ring. in q speech just before the subject
came up. to what the boys would all do
when they met at next years encsmpment
'in Indianapolis" There was q round of
applause, which told every one the Hoosier
city was the winner. Kansas City and
Lincoln would have been presented
had it not been for the demonstra-
tion Of approval for Indianapolis
1t at once precipitated the subject.
Governor Chase was permitted to present
Indianapolis immediately. and this he did
in neat little speech. General Carnahan
wanted to second the nomination, but there
were cries for "vote." and Indianapolis
was chosen in twinkling without opposi-
tion. No other city had q chance. Indi-
anians here seem TO be fully aware of the
responsibility before them next year. The
encampment will likely be held the first
week in September just before the schools
open. This encampment 10 to be State
affair as well as = national encampmsnt..
Every body says the management should CO.
operate with the worlds fair in securing
visitors during encampment week.
The twenty-sixth annual encampmeut
convened this morning. The encampment
delegates. 1t Is the legislative body or
congress of the organization. The Grand
Opera house. the largest building OF its
kind in the city, was the place of meeting.
Guards stood at the entrance. for the at
tendance was st richly limited 10 members
of the encampment. The parqustte was 70.
served for delegates. while the galleries
were open to comrades having the pass
word. AT lO:55 A. NJ, with about half the
delegates in their seats, COmmander-in-
chief Palmer, called the meeting to ordor as
he stood behind n large bass drum for ros-
dlanapolis next year in song by the
Hoosier Giee Club. This was uproariously
applauded. Commissioners Douglas. of the
District of Columbia. was introduced and
citizens of Washington. and General Pal
mer. commander-In-o chief. was given q
warm reception as he stepped I'D to the big
drum to reply. He spoke at some length.
citing the appropriateness Of the present
meeting In Washington. Then COmrade
n nf hff
self and other members OF the commanders
staff of the Department. of Potomac, pre-
sented General Palmer with gavel made
of material gathered at various historic
places. General Palmer made patriotic
response.
The business of the organization was
then begun In secret session. The commit
tee on credentials reported the number of
delegates present illinois had fifty four
and Indiana forty.
COMMANDER PALMER's ADDRESS.
Commander-in-ch chief Palmer then read
his annual address. which. in part, was as
follows:
1.-The National Encampment of the Grand Army
or the Republic brings together representative
soldiers from all over the loyal land There is
scarcely battlefield of that great civil contest
but has its representatives here to-day. Within
Its ranks are men OF all political parties and re-
lgiOus crecds. The differences in rank which
the army reflected are lost i'm the eQualites of
ID.
thought Ia patriotism. Its principles appeal to
patriots of every name and party. These annual
gatherings OF men who rendered loyal, devoted
and patriotic service TO their country I'm the
hour of peril. II they serve no other purpose,
Will Impress upon the minds of the ris-
ing generation profounder and deeper sense Of
the perils through which We passed to
preserve the unity of the Nation. II gives re-
newed strength to patriotism, tends TO elevate
our national character and makes us stronger
each succeeding year. There Is no feeling OF
animosity against the men OF the South.
ut Is peculiarly appropriate that the survivors
of the Union armies should gather again in the
capital of the Nation which, through long years
OF bloody strife, they defended nj the peril of
their lives. Almost within sound of my voice
there repose, in that beautiful spot on Airing
ton heights. 10000 patriotic dead; IL recalls to
our minds the enormous price paid by the Amer
Four thousand graves are marked with the sad
dest OF all nscriptions-Unknown.
"a new generation stands where we stood.
Thirty five millions OF people have been added
TO the country since the close OF that great civil
conflict in 1865 While the American people
hold the veterans In a love that no other group
of men In the land receive, there is q disposition
on the part of q few TO sneer at the soldier and
call him nendicant. They appear to forget the
spiferngs that made us what we are: feel that
urer. President. Governor. and all liberty 10 ring
American citizens, must brand this sentiment of
disrespect TO the veterans or the subtle poison
will stain the pages of history with the belief
that patriotism and yalor in the Union army
were myth. and that loyalty To country is no
longer 10 be called virtue.
"ln justice To the men against whom we con-
tended for four long years. desire TO say that.
Notwithstanding the Incorporate attacks made
on me by some OF the Southern journals because
of my orders in relation TO the nag OF our coun-
try, during my visit 10 the department encamp.
mont at Augusta. Ga. met many ex-confeder-
ate soldiers from whom I received cordial
greeting, and 4 believe that those who were
bravest in the field have greater love of justice
and right than those who remained in the rear
In the hour OF danger. and was glad IN take by
the hand any brave confederate soldier who ac-
cepted the generous terms OF the surrender at
Appomatox and to-day respects the fiag of the
Nation the cmblem of a reunited people and a
reunited country"
After referring at some length to the difficult
ties encountered In the coufsc OF his term OF
Office. n statement was made by Commander
Pal In Il LIZ A.4I