The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-08-27

BUFFALO, Aug. 2G.-The delegates OF
the Grand Army of the Republic to the
thlrty-frst national encampment
marched to the Music Hall this morn
ing from the Iroquols Hotel to the mu-
sic of bands and the cheering OF their
comrades, visitors and citizens. The
proscenium arch was draped and fes-
tooned in the national coIors surmount-
ed by the coat-of-arms of the United
States, tipped with a golden eagle crest.
Beneath the arch flags OF oil nations
formed brilliant cluster. The sides OF
the arch were OF satin banners bearing
the arms OF the state of New York. The
balcony was covered with maroon silk
plush hanglngs. Pictures of Washing
ton. Lincoln, Grant and Garfield occu-
pied prominent places. Guards with
crossed bayonets barred the doors TO the
hall Only comrades with the pass word
were admitted to the galleries and only
delegates with credentials were admit
ted 10 the main floor. Only the prelim-
mary session OF the encampment was
open to limited number OF press rep
resentatlves.
The executive session was absolutely
star chamber,
General Clarkson, commanderln-chief
took the platform at $3.50 o'clock and
was cheered by the delegates OF the gal
lery,
Southern Hospitality.
Commander Clarkson's annual report
was in part as follows:
"I may be permitted to make special
alluslon tie my visits in the southern de-
partments, where made 1t point to
come in contact as much as possible,
with the men who wore the gray and
their friends. My reception there will
ever be a warm spot In my memory; my
conception OF American manhood and
American bravery has been greatly
magnlAed. / met no warmer grasps, no
heartler God speeds In patriotic work
thnn 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
one country, one flag, one people. one
destiny met as hearty response In
Georgia. as in Massachusetts.
"I set out early In my official year to
secure the attendance az this encamp-
ment OF Comrade William Mckinley, be-
fieving that his presence would add
much to the Interest OF the occasion,and
10 the high position occupied by our or
der. His acceptance OF my invitation
was so prompt and cordial, and he en-
tered into every detail with such appar-
ont pleasure, as to more than ever con-
vince me that there Is no tie so strong
MS that of comradeship welded In the
fire of battle. His presence here has
been an inspiration TO US all,and we hail
with delight the dawn of new era Of
prusperlty which we see breaking on all
sides.
"owlng to the steady decrease In the
membership and the very small burden
imposed by the national per capita OF
two and one-haf cents, l believe that
the best Interests OF the order would be
subserved by ON Increase OF one-half
cent In the per capita, making 1t three
cents per annum
Dissertation OF Decoration Day.
81 ain not one of those who, believe
that d day established thirty years ago,
by our beloved commnnder-in-chlef,Lo-
gan. and since made holy day, and a
holiday by legal enactment in the ma
jorIty OF the states, should be changed
simply because lot OF hoodlums and
thoughtless men and women dnsecrato
Il by games and races. A large majority
Of our people arc observers of the Sab
bath day and they do not consider pa
rades and public demonstrations seem
Iv upon that day, and their wishes
should be respected, for we look to them
rather than to the thoughtless for the
moral support we need. II games and
races cannot be suppressed on such sa-
cred DAYS by moral suaslon and the ef-
feet OF The participation In Its sacred
work by vast numbers Of our best clti-
zcns then no change OF day could effect
such results.
"The committee on pensions have CIV
on much attention TO this branch OF the
work, until quito lately, with bot little
effect within the last few months the
latch strings have been loosened and
many Justly entitled pensioners have
had their cases acted upon; Others, stop
ned without cause, have been restored
10 the rolls, and che machinery OF that
urent department OF the government
seems 10 have been Oiled with the oil
of human kindness and honest obftgu-
tlon, and to be running much more
gmoothly and with much less friction
than before. ] believe II win not be long
until every case properly made up VIII
he reached and receive attention,
mo subject In which the Grand Amy
ts Interested Is more important than
that the truth OF history should be
taught to our children. II Is certainly
not The object of the Grand Army OF the
Rcpubllo to keep open the wounds Of
the war but OF this we are determined,
thnt one side IN that great struggle was
right aud The other side was WRONG
and we were not the wrong side, aud we
do not intend that our children shnll be
taught that we wctc.
again parties nrc using tho cm-
blcma Of tho Grand Army for ndverIle
lng purposes. They are too ehcrcd for
such use. and we should ask our lcgla-
lnturoB for the enactment OF laws maxi
lng such use Illegal"
Cincinnati N',t Year.
Clnclnuatl'a triumph In securing the
national cncnmpmcnt for 1908 aud
rcnnHylvnnin's Victory In winning the
commnndor.ln-ch Of the Grand Army
were the features ot the cncampmcnt
Both bnlllof woro hitd fought Tho
struggle Wnr prorIpllntcd Immediately