The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-09-19
THE NATIoNAL ENCOURAGEMENT,

The verdict to be rendered upon it j
that of entire satisfaction.
The attendance was larger than a
any other Encampment in our history
except that at Washington.
The hospitality of the citizens o
Louisville was simply boundless No
only was everything in their city at oul
disposal, but they seemed anxious for VI
to take it, if there was a prospect that II
would add to our enjoyment. The ne
turning prodigal son was not made any
more at home in the house Of his father
than the veterans in their coming back
to Louisville after so years absence
This was the rule from the highest to
the lowest. If there was a single man
in the city whose heart did not 90 out in
warm greeting to the comrades he failed
to make himself known. We have had
warm receptions by the Down-Easters
in rock-bonnd Maine, and by the
thrifty Yankees of cultured Boston; we
have partaken of the lavish hospitality Of
the princelv Californians, and big-heart-
ed Pittsburg, Columbus, Detroit, Indian
apolis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, and st.
Louis threw wide open their doors for
us, but never and nowhere have we had
a more spontaneous and general hospi-
tally than in Louisville.
The Grand Army appeared at Louis
vile as every lover Of American man
hood would have it appear. 1t pre-
sented itself as a grand body of intelli-
gent, high-n,inded, selfrespecting men,
who had done their entire duty
"when war wse.d it's wide desolation.'
and since then had lived Clearly, God
fearing, duty-ruled lives. He would
have been dull indeed who, looking
upon that mighty throng, did not recog-
nize in it the highest embodiment and
incarnation of true Americanism-the
patriotic intelligence and force which
ground the rebellion to powder, and
which would similarly crush any other
force dangerous to our institutions. He
would have been purblind if he could
not see that these were the men, and
the type Of those dead or absent, who,
when they had conquered peace, dotted
with their uniforms the calling of war,
addressed Themselves as vigorously to
civil pursuits as they had to the stern
trade of arms, and with their strong
arms and clear, cool heads built the
country up into prosperity, conserved
every good result secured by the war,
and held the Ship of State firmly on
the course that led to greatness. The
men who gathered in the streets of
Louisville were the Americans Of 30
years age, and their sons and daughters
are the Americans Of to-day. They are
the force which makes, rules and pre-
serves this country.
The proceedings of The National En-
campment were highly satisfactory. 1t
met every question which properly came
before it in the right spirit, and its de-
Everance upon it was just what it should
have been. Upon the questions of pen
sions, preference to soldiers in public
employment, teaching loyalty in the
schools, the supremacy Of the Nation,
honor to the Flag. and purity in cleo
tons its declarations were strong and
unmistakable. Itvoiced the whole BODY
of ex-soldiers clearly and well.
The selection Of officers for the ensu-
ing year was no less satisfactory. There
was no two minds in the Encampment
as to the choice of Col. |. n. Walker for
Commanderin- Chief. He is one of the
ablest men in the Nation, and made a
most enyiable record in the field. As a
soldier he was a splendid type of the
American Volunteer-brave, discreet.
jealous, with courage that no disaster
could dampen. His life was bound up
In the success Of the cause, and he counted
as nothing any sacrifice that would adj
vance it. He has been faithful, un.
firing worker for the Grand Army ever
since ifs organization, and has held nearly
every office in it, and as Chairman of the
National CONS niffaa op pa,s;n,,s H..