The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-09-16
THE 18TH NHTIONHL ENCHMpMENT.
Editorial Notes.

proud of 1.-THE Grand Army would have
been particularly proud of it. 1t was an as
semblage of our representative sOns-the sons
of the men who fought for and saved the
country. | am an old newspaper man, and
accustomed to public assemblies of every
character, and | can say without the slightest
reservation that i'll all my life | never saw n
higher average of ability and character in
any assemblage. The men were all singularly
strong, able, high-minded enthusiastically
devoted to the country, to the veterans of the
war and to the Order which they represented.
The speeches could not have been surpassed
anywhere-not even in Congress They were
all on the highest plane, yet practical and
earnest. The glorious future of the Order IS
assured by being in the hands of such men.
The net results of the legislation in the
Encampment may be summed up thus:
/. The Constitution, Rules and Ritual will
remain substantially rs they are. Amend
mentS will be made in minor details, and
Improvements wherever there is good reason
for improvement but the general form and
idea will be preserved.
2. The widest liberty will be granted in
side the observance of the fundamental prin-
ciples of the Order All but the essential
portions of the Ritual may be omitted by
Camps choosing to do so.
3. The same liberty is extended as to the
formation of Camps. They may become
rigidly military with the arms drill and dis
cipline of the Regular Army; they may have
military company and a non military sec
ton in the same Camp, or they may become as
wholly civilian as the Sons of the Revolution
or the Loyal Legion. They may range all the
way, rs their members wish, from being
company in the National Guard to a patriotic
dining or reading club. They may have in
surance features orthey may not. After fulfill
ing the grand objects of the Order in assisting
the Grand Army of the Republic and inculca-
ting loyalty, the members are free to organize
their Camps as they please. They can decide
to wear the full uniform, merely the plaIn
badge of the Order This is felt TO be wise.
The main thing is to bring the SONS of veter-
ans into the Order, and make them feel a COM
munity of interest On the broad basis of
the ORDERS fundamental principles and obi
cations they can take any form that Will
please their taste.
There was a very animated discussion over
the raising the per capita tax to 20 cents, and
some of the very ableSt speeches made IN the
Encampment were for against the PROPOSE
ton. The result was that the tax remains at
the present figure-16 cents.
Chief Rake made an ideal
presiding officer He is thorough parlla-
mentarian, courteous, but quick and firm.
He had every item of business well in hand,
and kept things constantly moving. lie is III
the prime of health and manhood, and the
country will hear much more of him IN the
next few years. This will not be through
his own ambitions and self-seeking, but be-
cause he has qualities of leadership which
other men seek for, and which will bring him
to the front.
The result Of the election will be generally
satisfactory. The new Commander-in-Chlef
is the son of veteran Of the famous Vermont
Brigade, and a young man of energy OF char
acter, education, and pleasing address. lie
is devoted to the Order. The other officers
are of similar character and the staff appoint
ments are of young men who are capable and
energetic, and will work with zeal for the
upbuilding of the Order. A brilliant admin
istration and Il great growth of the Order
are expected for the coming year.
Adi't-Gen H. III. Hammer carries the
smallest proportion of body to brains of any
member of the National Encampment. Physl-
cally he is very small, but if his body were
in the same scale as his mind he would have
to buy two seats in street car. Long ago
he made a reputation as Adjutant OF the
PENNSYLVANIA Division and his reports were
taken as models by the rest of the divisions,
who might initiate but never excel them.
| Those who keep informed as to matters
within the Order were therefore prepared Tor
the excellent work he has done IN his year OF
| service as Adjutant- General. 1t simply could
not have been bettered AdJt-Gen. Hammer
finds congenial use for his talents fulfilling
the important and exacting duties of the
office of City Clerk of Reading, Pa.
The Commander-in-C Chief was greatly as
sisted in his multifarious duties and the pro-
ceedings at all times facilitated by the tact
and helpfulness of Inspector-General Arthur
b. Sphinx, of Rhode Island. He is a model
Staff officer fully informed as to what is to
be or should be DONE and on the alert to do
it the best way.
One of the strongest men in the Order is
! Quartermaster-G General Loebenstein. He is a
| business man of high abilities, and has de-
voted himself for years to the interests of the
! Order His accounts, reports and financial
management have been the subject of warm
admiration by all who have studied them.
Lieut. Gov. Asa w. Jones, of Ohio and
Colonel of the Ohio Division, received marked
attention in tn, Encampment He is man
whose appearance impresses everyone. He
| is of large, powerful build, and has a strong
face He speaks slowly and very distinctly,
and his words are always weighty. He is
regarded as one of the sagest counselors in
| the Order.
The Sons all feel a particular pride in Sem
ator John NJ. Thurston, of Nebraska. He is
thoroughly one of them, heartily joins i'll
all that concerns them, sits in their gather
ngs with them, and takes deep interest in
all that goes on, though he rarely speaks on
any subject His brilliant abilities and dstin-
guished position are regarded as, III way,
possessions of the Order. and he is brother
they can all point to with sincere pride.
Senior Vice-Commander-in-Ch Kennedy
had all his recommendations turned down.
All the same they were good recommendations
and he set a good example of Senior Vice
Commander-in-Ch Chief who had ideas of his
own and was ready to urge them.
indianapolis is beautiful city with wide,
clean streets, kindly hammered, hospitabe
people. and excellent hotels The Soldiers
Monument is uniquely attractive creation.
1t has many features not found Ill any, and
shows great originality in conception. The
great gush of turquoise-tinted water at its