Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-06
MAJOR CLARKSON RETURNS
Commander Of the G. A. R. Well Pleased
with His Eastern Reception,
MADE MANY ADDRESSES ON THE TRIP
busy Vow Preparing work for Next
hcnr-Two Other Trips of Inspcc-
ton In Prospect During
Winter aud spring.

Major T. S. Clarkson, commander OF the
Grand Army Of the Republic. returned to
the city early yesterday morning after several
weeks Of big receptions through the east. He
slipped into town like any humble citizen.
without any Of the demonstration that has
greeted the head officer Of the greatest
patriotic society on the face of the earth.
81 received the most royal reception every
where, said the commander yesterday morn
ing when questioned about his trip. 81 was
met in every city by reception committees
and was magnhcently treated by the mem
bcrs Of the Grand Army Of the Republic"
The commanders progress through tho
east and the receptions he received have been
noted in the daily papers. lie left Omaha
November l6 accompanied by Captain Palmer
and Andrew Traynor of his staff The trip
was taken in response to kilograms ana let
ters Of invitation from the eastern posts, the
first OF which was received from Lafayette
post of New York City The commander
confined his visits almost entirely TO the
posts In the states of New York and Penn
sylvdnia He remembers particularly the
magnificent receptions he received from the
posts in New York City, Philadelphia, Brook
lyn and Washington.
The trip entailed some work, as the COM
mander was called upon frequently to make
addresses. lie has spoken every evening but
two since leaving town. In addition, he was
often called upon for remarks during the
days. especially to school children. Yesterday
morning he mentioned particularly two audi
ences Of school children which he had ad-
dressed. One was Of 200 in Brooklyn and
the other was composed Of the 900 pupils
of Girari college, Philadelphia, to whom he
spoke in the chapel of the institution.
My addresses were along patriotic lines"
said Commander Clarkson 81 spoke to the
veterans on their duty in these times of
peace. | advocated particularly military
training in the public schools and carefully
edited school histories. From what | have
seen, the old soldiers are doing a magnificent
work In instiling patriotism in the younger
generation"
Tuesday and Wednesday of last week
Major Clarkson was in consultation with his
executive committee in Buffalo The next
annual cncampment will be held in that
city II certain conditions especially in re-
gard to railroad rates, are fulfilled. The
meeting was occupied with the necessary
details In preparation for TIE enCampment.
Last "Wednesday Major Clarkson and the
executive committee spent an hour with
Pre9idcnt-elect Mckinley at Canton. They
were received by members of the army and
escorted to the home of the next president
The visitors enjoyed a most agreeable chat
with him.
1--WE had no axes to grind and no offices to
seek" explained the major yesterday morn
Ing. "All that | asked him was that he would
attend the next encampment He agreed to
do this, saying that II the only engage
ment he had made and the only one ne h;6
In view for next year"
The commander is preparing for the work
OF the coming year. He will probably re-
main in this city until next February. He
proposes then to make another trip to the
east. During the latter part of February
and March many OF the state encampments
are held in the eastern states and these the
commander desires to yisit.
Following this trip the commander will
make another into the southern jurisdiction.
This will occur some time in April He will
then journey westward as far as the coast,
visiting the posts In New Mexico, Arizona
California, Washington. Montana, Utah and
other western states and territories