The National tribune., 1899-09-07
no National laws favorable at present to

this important question, suitable measures
have been prepared and presented to Con
greSS, but without success. To meet this
condition and provide positions and pro
lection for veterans of the war, the SD
National Encampment at Cincinnati ap-
proved what was known as Senate bill
No. 3256." the text of which is embodied IN
General Order No. 3, dated Dec. 1, 1898,
issued by our lamented Commander-ln-
Chief, Col. James A. Sexton.
Unfortunately, the bill did not pass the
House.
Through the efforts of Comrade Kay,
Department Commander of New York, and
Comrade Walter Thorn, President of the
Brooklyn War Veterans and Sons Asso-
citation, President Mckinley, on July II,
1899, issued an Executive order to the
Cabinet officers which protects the veterans
holding places in the civil service positions
exempted from classification by his order
of May %, 1899.
There is 10 law by which veterans are
preferred for appointments. except such as
We're discharged from service for disability,
sickness, or wounds incurred in the lire OF
duty. A comrade may have been wound
ed several times in action, but unless dis
charged from service on account of such
wounds, he has no preference for appoint
ment under the operation of the law. |
therefore deem it proper to recommend
that Senate Bill No. 1856" or similar
measure be presented to 56th Congress,
and through the proper channelits passage
secured, if possible, and to this end would
recommend that committee of five COM
rades be appointed by the incoming Com
mander-in-Chief.
DROPPED AND SUSPENDED LIST.
1 am deeply impressed with the heavy
losses to our Order sustained by reason of
dropped and suspended" members. I
fully recognize that large number of our
membership are financially in very mod
IN
depression which forced many of our COM
rades out of employment has in a large
measure prevented payment of dues, this,
with the infirmities which come with ad-
vanced age, depriving many from attend
ing Post meetings. resulting in loss of
interest in the Order, and accounting to
considerable degree for such losses; yet
am of the opinion that a proper persistent
effort upon the partof Department and Post
Commanders, through carefully adopted
plan, or system, would be attended with
good results in retaining and bringing
back into the fold as active members
very many of those who have and are now
leaving our ranks.
/ believe no worthy old veteran Of the
war. 1S61-'65. should be outside the ranks
of the Grand Army of the Republic /
do not think he should deprive himself or
his family the honor that attaches to the
wearing of the button and badge of the
Grand Army of the Republic.
j would urge upon Department and Post
Commanders the Importance of taking
up this question, if not already done, and
making systematic effort to enlarge and
strengthen the membership list from this
source. The day for securing new re-
we can only look in the future for an in
crease from the dropped" list OF member
ship.
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
The Spanish-American war, though
short in its duration, has wrought some
almost marvellous charges, and accom-
plished some far-reaching magnificent
results. in which the survivors of the Grand
Army of the Republic have especial reason
for rejoicing and satisfaction, and / might
say congratulation. The cementing of
the ties OF National fraternity, the open
recognition of the fact that we are one
Nation with one flag, and are a strong,
united people, is especially gratifying.
1t has demonstrated to the world that the
American soldier and sailor stands today,
as ever, for intelligence, pluck, bravery,
valor, patriotism, and endurance pre-
eminent; that our resources are varied and
immense, and can be quickly utilized.
Our boys of the Spanish-American war
have nobly emulated the indomitable
spirit of the boys of 1S61'65, and by their
heroic services have added new strength
and power TO cur Nation and new glory to
our flag. The eXaltation of our Nation
before the other powers and peoples of the
earth, that they might more clearly see
and plainly understand that a Republican
Government, strong in the affections of
its people, armed with the sword of Justice,
and with broad sympathies for oppressed,
down-trodden humanity is fully capable
of maintaining itself in the front rank OF
the procession, and bearing in honor its
share in the great work of extending the
influence of liberty and humanity to the
dark continents and islands of the sea.
The intimate relations developed between
the Stars and Stripes and the Union Jack,
bring together IN a closer union the
two great Anglo-Saxon Nations of the
world.
The Spanish-American war has also
brought to the knowledge of the present
generation in practical way some appreci-
alton of the hardships and sacrifices of the
soldiers OF 1S61-65. What has been history
only to the present generation has now
become an experience, from which they can
more readily understand what they owe to
the men, living and dead, who fought
| through such terrible conflict TO preserve
| the Union and uphold the flag.
If so much hardship must be borne for a
single Cuban campaign of three months by
| the American soldiers, what must those
have endured who passed through a cam
paign of four years! not fighting Spaniards,
| but men of their own blood, courage and
endurance? The answering of this ques-
ton has caused thousands of Americans
who have perhaps never done so before To
unite in the Memorial Day services of the
past year, and tenderly lay a flower upon
the grave of the Nations heroic dead.
In the conSummation of the great work
the results of which have proven of in
estimable benefits to this country, we are
proud to record the fact that among the
principal actors are to be found the Nc
kinley, the Alger, the Miles, TIE Shafter
the Dewey, the Sampson, the Schley, the
Otis, the Lawton, and many others, who
are comrades of ours, and bear upon theil
breasts the unpurchasable badge of the
lGrand Army of the Republic. We are
proud also to record the fact that beneath
the folds of the old "Stars and Stripes" STOOD
the Wheeler, the Lee, the Butler, and many
Others, yaliantly bearing aloft in the con
fict the old flag they once sought to destroy
ENCAMPMENT MONTREAL, CANADA.
One of the unusual events of the year wa.
the meeting of the Vermont Department
Encampment in Montreal, Canada, ol
June q and %, being the first time in on
history that State Encampment has eve
been held outside the borders of our country
A royal welcome was accorded our com
} rades by tho people of Montreal. A rous
ing Campfire was held on the evening O
! June 81 which was attended by many O
Her Majesty's prominent officials, win
gave expressions of warmest friendly rela
tons now existing between the two coun
tries, suggestive of the flame of Anglo
Saxon unity which is spreading through
out the world. One prominent speake
said: THE Americana Union owed the Crane
1 .l,l& n \