The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-08-27
CINCIllAT'S TRIUMPH.
G. A. R. Encampment Of 'SS Will
Go There.
j. P. S. GOBLIN OF PENNSYLVANIA
CHOSEN COMMANDER in -CHIEF.

The Address of Department Commander
Shaw and the Retiring Commander
in:Chief Clarkson-Business of the
National Encampment-Great Gather
ing Drawing to a Close.
Buffalo, August 26.-To Music hall the
delegates of the Grand Army of thu Re-
public at the 31st national encampment
marched this morning from the Iroquois
hotel to the music of the band and the
cheering of their comrades, visitors and
citizens. Seated in the body of the hall
the delegates waited patiently for the
opening of the encampment, while the
galleries yibrated with the hum of ex-
pectency.
The lavish decorations of the.building
appealed to patriotism. An arch was
draped and festooned in the national
colors, surmounted by the coat of arms
of the United States, tipped with gold
en- eagle. Beneath the arch, flags of all
nations formed brilliant group. On the
sides of the arch were satin banners, bear
ing the arms of the State of New York.
Steamers of rainbow colored silk, pended
from the boxes which were set off with
satin banners, flags and shields.
The balcony was covered with maroon
ington, Lincoln Grant and Garfieldsoccu-
pied prominent places.
Guards with crossed bayonets barred
the doors to the hall. Only comrades
with the pass word were admitted to the
ora md vpit OTp-
dentials to the main floor. The executive
session was absolutely star chamber.
Gen. Clarkson commander -in-chlef,,
took the platform at $50 CLOCK and was
cheered by the delegates and gallery.
Gen. Edgar B. Jewett, mayor of Buffalo,
among the next to come on the stage, was
welcomed by Gen. Clarkson and cheered.
The bugle sounded the assembly at
1912
Bugler E.sH. Rexford rendered with
pathos "We're Tenting Tonight on the
Old Camp Ground"
campment to order and spoke as follows:
Once more we have assem- bled in an
nual encampment to render an account of
our stewardship, to renew old sasoeia-
tions, to legislate for the present, to plan
for the future. We meet in fraternity,
charity and loyalty, and may our hearts
unite as one in sustaining the great OBJ
ject of our order. The work of the volun
teer soldier from 1861 to 1865 is matter
of history, and can be read by every one.
In my public addresses l have confined
myself to the work of the grand army of
today, and have also been gratif1ed and
flattered at the reception accorded my
remarks.
l may be permitted to make special allu7
sion to my visit in the southern depart
ments where L made it % point to come
In contact, as much as possible, with the
men who wore the gray and their friends;
my conception OF American manhood and
American bravery has Deen greatly mag
nitied. I met no warmer grasps, no
heartier Godspeeds in patriotic work than
from our once enemies, now friends. 1
found Old Glory floating as high, her
stars as bright, her stripes as broad in the
Southland as at home. My sentiment,
lone 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 6. A. r. in that country, the dox-
ologv itPraise God from whom ali bless
ings flows" The grand army of the Re-
public can do no grander work for their
country today than to strengthen in those
good people their devotion to the land
we all so dearly love, to help to blot out
the resentments of the past.
1t has been my proud pr1l1vege during
y
to two of our great military leaders and
comrades, at the dedication of the memo
rial tomb of Gen. y. S. Grant in New
York and at Chicago the unyeiling of
an equestrian statue of Gen. John A. Lo-,
gan. Upon this latter occasion the great
est interest was added to by the invitation
to participate in the parade and exercises,
extended by the committee of arrange
ments to the Confederate veterans and
accepted by them, quite large number
marching in the parade under the escort
of post of this order. Their participa-
ton shows that the world loves brave
soldier.
Upon this occasion invited Gen. John
3. Gordon, commander-in chief of the
Confederate veterans, to ride with me,
and all that the world might see that the
war was over. 1t was a source of great
regret to both that engagements prevent
ed his attendance. / also invited him to
come to Buffalo and assist in the review
of the column and speak at our camp
h 5a Continued Second Page.