The herald., 1893-09-05
THE c, A. R. ENCAMPMENT.
Veterans Welcomed to the
Hoosier Capital.
The City's Hospitality Taxed to
the Utmost.
Naval Veterans Parade and Hold a
Business Session.
Ex-President Harrison Addresses HIS
Ex-President Harrison Addresses His
Comrades, Dwelling Particularly
ON the Administration of the
Pension Laws.

By the Associated Press.
INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 4.-No annual ma
tional encampment week within the his
tory OF the Grand Army Of the Republic
ever began more auspiciously than the
twenty-seventh which opened in this
city today. Thousands upon thousands
OF veterans are here tonight and still
they come in train loads. This was re-
cSption day and the efforts of the citi-
zens were expended in greeting and bid
ding welcome.
The trains have been much delayed
today and tonight in getting into the
Union depot, and the rush is still un-
abated. 1t is getting to be serious
question about accommodations for the
largest host Indianapolis ever tried TO
entertain.
The election of commander-in-ch chief is
the leading topic of discussion among
the veterans. The choice is thought to
lie between Capt. ]. G. B. Adams OF
Massachusetts and Major James P. Lin
coin of the department OF the Potomac,
though number OF others are spoken
of. including Postmaster Sexton OF
Chicago.
The annual session of naval veterans
was called to order this morning. There
was large attendance. Admiral
Osborne delivered the annual address.
Admiral Osborne in the course OF his
address referred feelingly to the short
age of ex-Treasurer Fortier of Buffalo
and his removal from Office.
The executive report for the year was
submitted by Captain Sears OF Ralti-
more, showing general interest in the
operations of the order and an increase
of membership.
Real-Admiral Osborne was then re-
elected, receiving 33 votes against 27 for
Commodore Allen.
At large meeting at Camp Wilder In
the afternoon, ex-Preeident Harrison
addressed his old comrades. He spoke
OF thB struggles anu trials of the soldiers
in the war and said: "If there Is any
man here who does not love the union
veterans, he does not belong In Indiana.
You will go back from this meeting to
pick up the duties OF your citizenship
with higher sense of those duties OF
glory for this flag than you had before
you came here to mingle with those
comrades, to Listen to those stirring
songs and stir each other by remem-
brances of those bloody days."
The citizens executive board gave a
reception to the G. A. Il. and invited
guests at Tomlinson's hall tonight.
About 5000 people were present. The
prominent speakers were EXP resident
Harrison and Commander-in-C Chief Weis-
eert. When General Harrison ARSE to
speak he WAS greeted with tremendous
outburet of applause. He spoke in
words of welcome to the Grand Army,
md said:
81 look into the faces of men tonight
who have shed their blood and lost their
limbs and walked among us MANNED and
dismembered In order that our country'e
flag might be untarnished. Can it be
possible that while the survivors of the
great struggle are still with us; while
they walk our streets, generation has
come on forgetful of their great achieve
ments. Has the moth of avarice, the
canker OF greed go entered into the
hearts of this generation that they are
unmindful of these men? God forbid"
'sThe American soldier of the civil
war;" said General Harrison, 'has not
been greedy. He was not tempted to
service by his monthly stipend. The
men who went to the front were not i'm
PEELED by sordid purposes, aid when the
war was over their thought was not of
dependence upon the government, but
upon their own right arm. Every boy
who had been spared in the struggle
was anxious to be again at the plow, at
the shop, in the 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, be fought and
ate the bread of independence. Only
when he became veteran of time, did
he turn hopeful eye toward the gov
ernment for relief. The Grand Army
has rightfully claimed that the men who
fell by the way in the battle OF life, from
disease or advancing years, and lost their
capacity to MAINTAIN themselves, should
be cared for by the nation they saved,
and not be dependent upon the township
poor farm. When congress in generous
recognition of rightful claims OF the col
dier. has passed law for mis- benefit,
we may, and will, demand that it be
benefcially construed in his behalf. 1t
ia familiar maxim of law that reme-
dial legislation is to have favorable
Interpretation in the interest of the
evils to be remedicd. Secondly, we
may, and do. insist that in
the administration of the law,
.the soldiers integrity and honor
shall not be wantonly impeached.
ICheersI. He will not ask that any who
have iraudulently obtained place upon
the pension rolls shall remain there.
He will ask that that other familiar
maxim of law, that fraud ia to be
proven. and not presumed, shall he ap-
piled to soldiers. [Applause. This
general principle, and cannot go into
details, must think, be acceptable to
every right thinking. patriotic man.
The wnrld;a fair will cauaa a rnah.