The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-09-15
THE CINCINNATI NATIONAL ENCAMP
NENT.


generous remembrance of the service:
and sacrifices of the veterans. She
sent an unusually large proportion of
her own sons to the front, and their
valor brought her enduring fame. The
people entered heartily into the work OF
preparing TO give the comrades grand
entertainment, and their efforts were
crowned with success. Everything that
money, ingenuity, taste, and forethought
could do to make the gathering all that
was desirable was done, and the vet
Grams went home wrapped in great con-
tent at having had an exceedingly good
time. The attendance was very large,
fully equal, at least, to that of any re-
cent Encampment. Careful estimates
made by such competent men as Gen.
Andrew Hickenlooper and Col. Cor
nelius Gable fixed the number in the
marching column at 10000 As there
were fully two veterans among the
spectators for every one that marched,
this would make the number present at
least 100000.
| The choice of officers gives general
satisfaction. Our new COMMANDMENTS
/ Chief is a man who enlisted as boy,
carried his musket faithfully and I'M
complainingiy, won all the steps in his
promotion by good, hard service, and
came out at the close of his four years
Colonel. He has been as successful
in civil life as in the army, and has
been for years recognized as one of the
very foremost citizens Of the great city
of Chicago He is a man to do us
credit in every way, and his high adj
ministrative ability will be exerted for
the advancement of the Order Of which
he has been a lifelong, Jealous and
faithful member.
The subordinate officers are equally
creditable. Every one was long-ser-
vice, faithful soldier; every one has
achieved prominence in civil pursuits,
and is a highly respected member of
the community in which he resides !;
every one is Jealous comrade, and his
election comes to him as mark of APP
probation of his long and faithful devo-
ton to the interests Of the Order.
The deliverances Of the Encampment
are no leee commcndable. The COM
rades spoke with no uncertain voice in
eulogy of Comrades Mckinley and
Alger for their great work in conduct
ing the Spanish war, and in defense of
them against the scurrilous attacks of
the sensational yellow press.
Upon the important subject of pen
sions it spoke firmly and explicitly, and
voiced the general discomfort of the
comrades with the present management
of the Pension Bureau, calling directly
upon Comrade Mckinley to make the
desired reformation. 1t is the first time
in years that the National Encampment
has gone beyond generalities to outline
specific reforms that it desired. 1t was
very necessary to do this. The wrongs
in the administration of the Pension
Bureau are not only general but specific.
They are rules and methods developed
by the Cleveland Hoke Smith-Lochren
regime for the oppression of the vet
Grams and the deprivation of their
rights. They were specifically enume-
rated and denounced during the Presi-
Dental campaign of 1896, and their
abrogation demanded. They formed a
large portion of the political issues of
that year, and unquestionably controlled
more than 100000 votes. In spite OF
all this Mr.. Evans has continued them
in full force and effect, to the infinite
distress of the comrades everywhere.
The National Encampment would have
fallen short Of its duty if it had failed
to say less than it did. 1t has said just
what it should say, and said it in a
forceful, unmistakable way. The effect
must be Of the highest benefit to the
veterans and their dependent ones, for
it brings squarely to the front the issue
whether Mr.. Evans shall be allowed to
be merely the agent for the continuation
Of Lochrenism.
! WHILE the Navy Department has
not yet made the actual awards, it i: