The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-09-05
He Denounces the Administra-
tion's Contemplate Policy.
VETERANS SAVED the NATION.
Laws Should BE Interpreted 20 Place
No Hardship on Worthy Men.
The Grand Army Eneampment Draws
the Largest Crowd Indianapolis Eves
Entertained Candidates for Gem
mander-in- -Chief-NavaI Veterans

natonai encSulhment week within the
history of the G. A. r. ever began more
ausniciously than the twenty seventa.
which opened IN this city today. Thous-
ands upon thousands of veterans are here
tonight and still they come in train loads.
This vas reception day, and the Efforts of
the citizens were expended in greeting and
bidding welcome. Trains have been much
delayed today aud tonight getting into the
union depot and the rush is still una
bated. Ii is getting to be a serious ques-
tion about accommodations. tor this is the
largest host tina; indianapolis has ever
tried 70 entertain.
The election of commander-in-chief is
the leading topic OF discussion among ths
veterans OF the Grand Army assembled
here. The choice Is thought to lie between
Capt J. q. II. Adams. of Massachusetts,,
and Maj. Charles r. Lincoln. of the de-
parsment of the Potomac. though num-
her OF Others are spoken OF. including
Postmaster Sexton. OF Chicago.
The annual session OF naval veterans was
called to order this morning with large
attendance. After roll call Admiral
oshon delivered the annual address.
Admiral osbon. in the course Of his adj
dress. referred feelingly 10 the shortage cf
ex-Treasurer Fortier. Of Buffalo. and his
removal from office. heexecutive report
for the year Was submitted by Can't. Sears,
of Baltimore. showing general interest in
the operations of the order and an in
crease In membership. Rear-Admiral
osbon was then reelected, receiving S3
votes against q for Commodore Allen.
At a large meeting at Camp Wilder in
the afternoon ex-Presidcnt HARRISON adj
dressed his old comrades. lie spoke of
the struggles and trials of the soldiers in
the war, and said: ''if there Is any man
here who does not love the Union veteran
he does not belong in Indiana. You will
20 back" said he, from this meeting to
pick mp the duties Of your citizenship with
higher sense of those duties. of the glory
of this flag. than you had before you came
here to mingle with these comrades, 10
listen to these stirring songs aud to stir up
other renembranees of those bloody days"
The citizens executive board gave .
reception to the q. A. +. and invited
guests al Tomlinson's hall tonight, about
s.0oo people being present. Prominent
speakers were ex-President Harrison and
Commsnder-in-c Chief WsisserE When
Gen. Harrison arose TO speak he was
greeted with a tremendous outhurst OF
TO the Grand Army and said:
al look into the faces of men tonight
who have shed their blood and lost their
limbs and walk among us MANNED and
dismcmbered In order that our country
might be untarnished. Can IL 10
possible that while the survivors Of
the great struggle are still With
generation has come ON
forgetful of their great achIeymentsy Has
the mother Of avarice, the caiiker Of greed,
so entered into the hearts of this genera
ton that they are unmindfnl Of these men
God forbid.
The American soldier of the civil war
had not been greedy. lie was not tempted
to the service by his monthly stipsnd.
The men who went TO the front
were not impelled by sordsd
purposes. and when the war
was over their thought was not of de-
pendcncc upon the government, but upon
their own right arm. Everybody who mad
been spared in the struggle was anxious 10
be again at the plow, st the shop, in ihs
Office. to take up again the work
he had laid down that his country
might live. AS long as God gave him
strength Of arm he fought and ate the
bread of Independence. Only when he ba-
came a veteran Of time did he turn hope
fui eye toward the government for relief
.The Grand Army has rightIuliy claimed
that the men who fell by the way in the
battle OF life from disease or advancing
years, or lost capacity TO maintain them
selves should be cared for by the
natlon they saved and not DO depsndeat
upon the township poor farm. Wien
congress, in generous recognition of the
r:ghttui claims OF the soldier. has passed
q law for his benefit, wo may and Will de-
mand that II shall be beneiielally
construed In his behalf. It IL
q familiar maxim OF law that
remedial legislation is 10 have favorsbis
Interpretation In the interest of TIE evils
TO be- remedied. Secondly. we may and
do insist that IN the administration
OF the law the soldiers integrity
and honor shall not ba wantonly i'm
peached. lCbeers. We viii not ask
that the man who has fsau1a-
lenf!y obtained place upon the
pension rolls shall Fetnain there.
We will ask that the other
familiar maxim Of Law. that fraud
is TO be proven and not presumed. shall
be applied 70 the soldier. Great appssusel.
This general principle. and canfi 80 into
details, must. I think. be aeceptable 70
every righl-thtnkIng. patriotic man."