Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-09-02
TIE GRAND ARMY VETERANS
Their Thirty-first National En-
campment Opened.
MUSIC HALL LAVISHLy ADORNED
The Decorations Appeals to
Patriotism.
Executive Session Absolutely Star Chamber
Gen. GARRISON, the Command r-in-U chief,
Cheered by Delegates and GaiIery-synop-
sis OF His speech.

'|kdtSb Vi buC os hs tht w olbb ia
}tional encampment marched to Music |
n Hall this morning amid the music Of
bands and the cheering of comrades,
visitors and citizens.
The lavish decorations of the build
ing were such as to appeal to the pa
tirotism of everybody. A proscenium
arch was draped and festooned in the
national colorB, surmounted by the coat
of arms of the United States, and tipped
with golden ealge crest. Beneath the
arch flags of all nations formed
brilliant cluster Tho sides of the arch
we're of satin banners, bearing the arms
of the Stats of Nav York The bnl-
cooy was covered with maroon silk
plush hangings. Pictures of Washing.
ton, Lincoln, Grant and Garfield &C.
cupied prominent places.
The executive session was absolutely
star chamber.
Glen. Clarkson. the commander-in-
and was cheered by the delegates and
the gallery.
Gen. Clarkson said:
"Once more we have assembled in
annual encampment to render an az.
count OF our stewardship, 10 renew old
associations, to legislate for the present.,
to plan for the future. We meet in
fraternity, charity and loyalty, and
may all our hearts unite as one in sus-
tanning the great objects OF our order.
81 may be permitted to make special
Rlluaon to my visits in the Southern
departments, where | made 1t point TO
come in contact, as much as possible,
with the men VINO wors the gray and
their friende; my conception Of Ameri.
can manhood and American bravery
has been greatly magnitied. | met on
warmer graspe, no heartier Godspeeds
in patriotic work than from our once
enemies now friends. | found Old
Glory floating as high, her stars as
bright, her stripes as broad in the
Southland as at home. My sentiment,
'One country, one flag, one people, one
destiny met as hearty a response in
Georgia as in Massachusetts, and more
than once, after my public receptions
here, | repeated to myself, over the
work OF the q. A. II. in that country,
the doxlogy, Praise God, from whom
all blessings fiow.' The Grand Army of
the Republic can do no Rrandar work
for their country to-day than to
strengthen in those good people their
devotion to the land we all 30 dearly
love, to help to blot out the resentments
of the paat.
sit has been my proud privilege DUR
ing the year to participate in the last
tributes to two OF our great military
leaders and comrades, at the dedication
of the memorial tomb Of Gen. U. s.
Grant 10 New York and at Chicago the
unwilling Of an equestrian statue of
Gen, John A. Logan. Upon this latter
occasion the greatest interest was
added to by the invitation TO partici-
pate in the parade ana EXERCISES ex-
tened by the committee of arrange
ments to the Confederate veterans and
accepted 10y them, quite large number
marching in the parade under the as
cors Of post Of this order. Their par.
ticpation shows that the world loves Q
brave soldier.
'Upon this occasion | invited Gen.
John u. Gordon. commander in chic
of the Confederate veterans, to rid'
with me, that all the world might sci
that the war was over. 1t was source
of great regret 10 us both that othel
engagements prevented his attendance
also invited him to come 10 Buffalo
and assist in the review of the column
aud speak at our camp. fires. | know
you would have made him welcome.
know your broad American spirit woul,
have given him a warm reception, bu
be could not come. lie was engaged II
work elsewhere.
1--WE are far past the meridian in
dividually, and as an order the Htrean
is running rapidiy down the hill. Ag
and poverty are making great inroad
into the ranks. Recruit the rank
nutil every honorable discharge is re
corded in tine descriptive book, am
every suspended cumrade is agai
touching elbows with his fellows
Stand by your comrades though all To
world assail. Owing TO the steady de
crease in the membership and the YER
ANAL burden imposed by the nationu
per CAPITA Of 21a cents ] believe tina
tina best interests Of the order would b
suhserved by an increase Of one.ha
cent 10 the per capita, making IT 3 IN
stead of 21s cents per annum. The re
ports upon the soldiers homes atfor
much satisfaction at the thought tha
tho last days Of very many thousand
of the old Veterans have been, al
being and will continue to be mad
comfortable and comparatively happy
and free from the trials and struggle
of the outside world, with which the
arc by age and intirmity unable to col
tend.
1.-The committee on pensions ha,
given much attention to this branch I
the work, until quite lately with bi
little effect. Within the last few month
the latch. strings have been loosene
and many justly entitled pensione
have had their cases acted upon; other
stopped without cause, have been r.
stored TO the rolls, and the machinel
of that great department OF the goverl
ment seems to have been oiled with u
oil'of human kindness and honest obi
cation and to be running much mo
smoothly and with less friction than b
fore. believe it will not be long u
til every case properly made up will
reached and receive attention.
"No subject in which the Graz
Army is interested is more importa
than that the truth of history shou
be taught to our children. 1t is &c
tainly not the object of the Graz
Army of the Republic to keep open t
wounds OF the war, hut of this We q
determined, that one side in that gre
struggle was right and the other 81
was wrong-and We were on the wro
side. The Grand Army of the Repu
lie is not political organization. Il
veteran believes himself entitled
consideration, and he is, but he shot
not use the Grand Army for that pl
pose. Personally will endorse CO
rade, IL CAPABLE, every tiue, ratt
than one who 10 not a comrade,
officially will endorse no ons. In
pnaa OF nm Ianarfmant I hava H.,