Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-09-13

PITTsBURe, PA. September 10
While 200, 900 persons left the city since
the last old soldier passed in review
yesterday, there are still 200, 600
strangers in town, the majority Of
whom will stay unit! Saturday and Sun
day, while some remain even longer.
The national encampment opened this
morning in the new Grand Opera House.
The commander-inc chief and delegates
were welcomed on behalf of the citizens
executive board by Chairman David c.
Ripley and also by w. c. Quincy, chair
man OF the committee On invitations
aud reception, Governor Pattison well
coined them on behalf of the State Of
Pennsylvania, while Mayor McKenna,
of Pittsburg, and Mayer Kennedy, Of
Allegheny, performed the same pleasant
duty on behalf Of their respective cities.
The serious business OF the encamp-
ment proper then began.
Commander-in-C Adams called the
delegates TO order, and the annual re-
ports of the national officers were
takeu up and read.
A. p. Burchfield then presented the
Commander-in-C Chief with gavel made
of wood from Fort Sumter, Appotto-
max, Gettysburg and Libby prison aud
is boHnd with metal from historic can
non and inscribed, "Presented by the
citizens of Plttsburg and Allegheny 10
Captain j. G. B. Adams, Commander-in-
Chief of the G. A. K. at the encGmp-
ment held In Pttsburg, 1894"
Henry Watterson was introduced to
the delegates and in presenting the
claims of Louisville for the next Ma
tional euCampment said:
| have come here to-day-an undoubtng
American-to lay AT the feet of American
manhood the tribute of respectful homage.
have come, willing Witness TO bear tes-
timOuy TO the genius Of American soldier
ship. 1 have come with a message from
your countrymen who live on what was
once the neither side Of the line, but whose
hearts beat in ready response to your
hearts and who bid me tell you they want
10 see you.
Candor compels me to say there was q
time when they did not want 10 see you.
There was time when, without any invl-
tation whatever, either written or verbal,
without so much as an intimatiOn OF hos
pitality, you insisted upon giving US the
honor Of your company, and, as 10 turned
out when we were but ill-prepared 10 re-
ceiye you. II were a pity, now that we
are prepared, now that the lid is of the
pot and the latch-striDg hangs outside
the door, you should refuse US the happi-
ness OF entertaining you, of greeting you,
not with bloody hands 10 hospltable
grave" but ss friends and brothers, as
fellow citizens, who learned how 10 value
one another enid scenes that left no time
Tor eOuivocatiOn and transactions applying
to human virtue the very highest tests. l
know that, whatever your decision may
be, you will give me credit for entire sin
cerity when | add that | was never happier
in my life than | am in finding myself the
vehicle for such communication, the
spokesman for such men 10 such men, the
first Of many voices to be raised, in good
will and good faith, entreating the Grand
Army Of the Republic TO come South, to
bring its knitting aud 10 stay all day!
Incidentally, allow me TO urge tnat, up
on the initial yisit-this foTsrunner Of
many visits-you end he first stage of
your march, and pitch your tents and
light your camphres upon the banks OF
the beautiful river, wDicb takes its rise
in these highlands, at that point where
il pauses for moment in its journey to-
ward the sea, to gather fresh impulse and
renew its allegiance TO national senuments
and continental ideas.
You will find there much TO eXhilarate
YOU. You will find there, as nowhere
else in such measure, the most absolute
obliteratiou Of all that we want 10 forget,
81, nf al yVp
want to remember, Of days, which in
darkness or in light-in sunshine or in
sorrow-must remain forever sacred 70
each and every one OF Us. You wall find
there engaged In business rivalry, men
who fought side oy side in the imminent
deadly breach; engaged IN equal partner
ship, men who were introduced 10 one an
other ont Of the mouths Of hostile cannon.
You will find there, wearing the same uni
forms and exchanging kindred counter
signs. men who, in the moments OF con-
viViality, sometimes forget on which side
they fought In the war Of the sections, hap
DIV in comradeship never to end this side OF
The grave. You will find there a valOr-
Gus little army of embryo heroes,
who have somehow got so mixed
I'D in their cradles, that no one OF them
can tell which grandpapa IL was that wore
the blue and which tnat wore the gray, but
who can lisp their determination 10 lick
all creation when they get Dig enough 70
wear the cross swords that hang on the
wall in silent proof that they came Of good
fighting stock And, finally, you will ind
the warmest and the most universal well
come-a welcome from al hearts and all
hauds-a welcome from men and women
who know how TO welcome, and who are
none the less Americans because they hap
pen TO re Kentuckiaus!
But. believe me, ! speak in no local in
terest, in no sectional spirit. The purpose
which brought me here, the thought aud
hope Of those who sent me, IS wholly,
purely national. We, ike you, love our
country. Our dearest aspiration is TO see
IL great and strong. Il has weathered all
the dangers that, in times past assailed
feudal systems and dynastes. i has
weathered all the dangers that sDrang
from the peculiar conditions OF our being,
the dark shadow Of slavery and the bale
fuI menace Of disUuiOu, the conflict Of
jurisdiction between the States and the
federal power and the confusion attendant
upon disrupted interpretations OF the Or
eanic law The issues that made war OF
sections possible have passed away. They
can never be resuscitated. But every
ace. as every individual, has its own prob
lem TO solve, its own crosses 10 bear, and
| those who are 10 come after us-who have
already arrived upon the scene-win need
TO meet. as we heve met, the responsible
ties Of life That they. viii meet %
bravelv, nooly, 90 believes; for !
! faith not merely in them as our chi
mt In the destiny Of American instl
Yet we must help them all Te
| we can help them in nothing 81
| impressing upon them the les
| triotism and manhood which ca
| of the sturdy school OF war.
No man who vas good soldi
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