Rocky Ford enterprise., 1896-09-10
THE GRAND ARMY.
OPENS THE ANNUAL SESSION.
Commander Walker Gives statiatics of
of the Army and Expresses Some Thinly
Yelled Political Views.

Commander Walker Gives Statistics of
of the Army and Expresses Some Thinly
Yelled Political Views.
st. Paul. MIMI. Sept. 3.-Oficially
the thirtieth national cncampment of
the G. A. r. opened this morning In
the Auditorium before an Immense au-
dlence Of Grand Army men and citi-
zens generally from far and near. Cen
eral Mason. president Of the st. Paul
citizens committee was chairman Of
the public exercises with which the
encampnent was opened.
Chaplain Iliff offered prayer and a
warm welcoming speech was made by
Mayor Doran on behalf of st. Paul.
Governor Clough extended the greet
ings Of Minnesota and General Walker
returned the thanks OF the Grand Ar
my for the lavish and hearty hospital
ity which had been showered upon the
citizens guests.
After the exercises all hut the Grand
Army men were requested to leave the
hall and the encampment went Into
executive session. The first business
done was to hear the report Of the
commnnder-in.chicf.
"The total membership Of the Grand
Army OF the Republic is 3S5.4O6. Of
which 34S.61O are in good standing
and 42.511 are on the suspended list
for non-payment OF dues. n decrease
In this list during the pnst year OF
7.0S9. The gain by muster during the
year was 13.4G7 In this recapitulation
the department OF Pennsylvania
shows a loss Of 1858 members that
have been carried enormously on the
rolls for several years and were count
ed in the last report. The total loss
during the year was II 1.4OG. Of which
number 1923 was by death. which is n
decrease Of ~ from last year. When
we take into account the great busi-
ness depression Of the year. the lack
of employment and the fact that so
many veterans are possessed Of such
a small portion of this worlds goods,
and the further fact that owing to
age and infirmities many have been
unable to attend post meetings and
to pay their dues, our membership
has held Its own remarkably we'll"
The commnnder-in-chief proceeded to
refer at length to the controversy ere
ated last December over the PROPOSE
ton to hold in New York this summer
a reunion and parade OF the veterans
OF the civil war from both sides Of
Mason & Dixon's line. and presented
the voluminous correspondence be-
tween himself and Hon. Charles A.
Dana Of New York. which passed be-
tween that month and January of the
present year. "My attitude Of opposi-
tion." said the commander-in-chief,
twas based upon knowledge that the
scheme was agitated by few ex-
confederate veterans of New York
who hoped to advance their personal
interests. and were seeking to secure
the support of the promiLsnt profess
slonal and business men of the metrop-
oils to aid them in their plans"
Under the head of Patriotism" the
comander-in-chief made reference to
the present political situation in Ian
guage. which, though indirect, was
sufficient to cause almost every SEN
tence to be punctuated with loud ap-
plause. This is what he said:
1--WE meet to-day In true spirit Of
fraternity. charity and loyalty. These
annual gatherings of the men who rem
dered loyal. devoted and patriotic SER
! vices to their country in Its hour Of
peril gives renewed strength to patri-
otism, tends to elevate and adorn our
national character and makes us
stronger each succeeding year. We
meet with no desire to boast Of our
services in the past. We were citizens
before we became soldiers. and vol
unteered at the call of our imperiled
nation that we might fulfill the high
est duties of citizenship, and the les
| sons learned amidst the storms of bat
tie made us more mindful Of our du-
ties as citizens. The men who saved
| the nation can be depended upon to
defend its integrity and honor when
assailed. The Grand Army stands for
the rights Of property and the suprem-
acy of the laws. 1t stands for law and
order and justice everywhere and at
all times.
The commander-in-ch went on to
say that the finances of the order were
In good condition, the expense having
been materially reduced. There is no
apparent change in the contest for
commander this morning. The choice
| Is conceded to be between -Clarkson
and Linehan, with the Omaha COM
rade slightly leading.