The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-04-05
WELCOME To THE G. A. Z.
Evansville Throws Wide Open Her
Doors 10 Indiana's Old Soldiers.
Severe Criticism of Chairman Langsdale's I'm
author zed Report on the Mexicanized Mon
ument-Address by Commander Cheadle.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special TO the Indianapolis Journal
EVANSVILLE, Ind. April 4-EvansviIle
has made good the pledge of Mrs. Myer-
hoof. at Fort Wayne. q year ago. The
good people have opened their doors to
welcome their guests-the State Grand
Army members and the Woman's Relief
Corps. Committees were at all trains to
receive the visitors. and buildings on all
the principal streets are swathed in decora.
tons. while large arches span the
thorouRhfares. A brilliant reception
was given by FarraQut Post
tonight. While the reception was GO
ing on the leading Grand Army
men were in earnest council in a parlor of
the st. George Hotel. In that conference
were many of the best soldiers in Indiana
regiments. The question debated related
to the monument In general and TO Chair
man Ian gsdale's report in particular.
Messrs. Zollinger. McMaster. Layman and
others of that committee assert that there
has been no meeting of the committee
called and no report submitted to them by
the chairman for their consideration. and
yet he has sent forth . report which. on it's
title page. purports to be q report Of the
monument committee of the Grand Army.
The feeling regarding this last act of MIR.
Langsdale, in ignoring the other members
of the committee, Is very bitter. Ii any
one has INDUCED the Idea that the Grand
Army is not practically united against the
"MexicaniZing" Of the monument he
would be disabused if here among the dele
gates. There is practically but one opinion.
and shat 10 xuainst the Langsdale monu-
mont. 1t is not vehement abuse of the
commission, but q determined purpose to
take steps TO rectify o great wrong. Dele
gates bring re ports that the question has
gwen vitality to posts IN all parts of the
State. The action of the encampment will
be such ss will attract attention.
The official encampment may not be so
large as on some former occasions. but men
who have attended all of them say that it
Will be made up of the most influential men
In the organization. The headquarters of
che Grand Army is at the st. George Hotel.
Mhioh is we'll adapted to the purpose. The
WOman's Relief Corps hos practically cap
tured the Acme Hotel. When Mrs. Nc
Bride. department president. and Mrs.
Harper. department secretary. arrived
an elaborate banquet was waiting by the
everything has been done by the G.. A. X.
and w. r.. c. here tomake their visit pleas
ant. There are 1S3 CORDS in the State with
q membership of SPA. Q gain Of 1913 for the
past year. There will be $50 delegates
present. The people of Evansville have 80
many attractions on their programme that
the mem pers of the Grand Army and Corps
Will have 20 exercise great self-denial
if they attend the sessions. All posts
in the vicinity will be here to participate
IN the parade tomorrow. The thriving city
of Princeton recognized the passing of the
veterans to Evansville by literally cover
ing tho buildings near the station with
flags.
COMMANDER CHEADLE's
Commander Cheadle's address will be
the first thing In the order of business to-
morrow. 1t begins with appreciative ac-
knowiedgment of the generous hospitality
of the ps ople of Evansville and of the as
sis.anoe rendered him by the officers of his
staff. Under the head of membership. the
commander says that the number of pay
ing mem bers IL the order is %. 900. a loss of
| 71 compared with last year, of which 403
Is due to death. It is believed that at the
present time the mem bership is increasing,
because. of the coming National Encamp-
Inent. lie estimates that there are about
6 1000 men In Indiana who are entitled to
membership. and goes on to say:
Here is our field for labor. Let us here and
now pledge ourselves 10 make an open, az
gressive campaign. until we reclaim all upon the
suspended list, and persuade those who have
never become members to j0ih with us. Self
preservati n is not only the first. 1t is the highest
law of nature. II we shall fail to see and know
that every consideration OF self preservation de-
mands that We unite all eligible soldiers and
sailors in the g.. A. r., We need not be surprised
to hear. ON every side. that the old soldier has
had his day-that he is even now q back number.
{ plead with you 10 go ont into the ranks OF the
| $4,000 Indiana Union veterans who are not
| members, and among the 4.703 suspended MEM
bers, and bring them by companies. regiments,
brigades, and even corps into our posts. This is
| the imperative duty OF the hour. comrades of the
Department OF Indiana.
The good work of the Woman's Relief
Corps Is complimented, the sons Of Veter.
ans are commended for the effective con-
ditiOn of the organization. and it Is pre-.
dicted that it lie on the highway to perma-
mont prosperity. The Grand Army is urged
to do all In its power Ito engraft the organ
ization into the hearts and copsciences of
the people"
Speaking of the success of the efforts of
the Grand Army to have u day set apart In
the public schools to teach the lesson Of
patriotism and the general practice Of
hosting the national flag over school
houses, Commander Cbeadle says:
The custom OF raising the flag over the school
houses having preceded the order several years.
this department owes a debt Of gratitude to
coInrade Wallace Foster. of indianapolis. for his
work in this most worthy cause. He was the
John In the wilderness. p~roclaiming the advent
of this patriotic custom. Indiana is at the front
In this great work.
Urder the head of pensions the COM
mander warns the comrades that because
of the hostility recently stirred up In the
South and the money cente:s of the East
against pensions. the veterans will be
fortunate If the present pension laws are
maintained. Speaking OF the matter of al
legged frauds. he says:
The charge is made by the enemies of the pen
sion system that there are fraudulent pension
es on the rolls, and that other pensioners are
drawing more money than they are entitled TO
under existing laws. ommander-in-chie Weis-
sert, In n recent order. has called attention TO
this serious charge, and has commanded officers
and comrades to make careful Investigation in
each community. and report every case where
even the semblance of fraud appears: therefore.
in obedience TO this order, and in compliance
with ny own convictions, ] urge upon the COM
rades OF this department the duty of exposing
every fraud, should any be found. Let us see to
il that no reproach from this source Is ever
brought upon Indiana. one OF whose soma was
the first. and another the last, to die in hattie in
defense of the Union.
He urges the Importance of the appoint
ment of Guardiane fer pensioners who are
the victims of intemDerance. as the law
provides.
The preliminary work done by the sol
diers' home committee is warmly com
mended. He regrets that the Legislature
failed to accept the offer of the Grand Army
of land and money 60 make o proper appro-
priation for the great charity. The man.
agement Of the Soldiers and Orphans Home