Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1901-09-14

President. 1t came out of times of strife
and disorder. 1t has seen these pass away
and it's whitening veterans have come to
await the last call in the sunlight of peace
and union and in the reelection of work
we'll done and reposc we'll earned. To-
day the tragedy Of 1860 is recalled.
Thursday they held grand goodwill
gathering for the purpose of extending
the sympathy of the nation and of the
Grand Army to the President.
Senator Henderson of Nebraska also
sounded the keynote of the encampmcnt
at the reunion of the First Ohio volunteer
Light artillery. 'Tempering every breath
Of happiness at this reunion is the fearful
tragedy of last Friday said Gen. Man
derson. Il can find no words in which to
refer fttingly to the wretch who has done
this thing. 1t is for us and our sons to
stamp out anarchy and socialism as we
stamped out secession
The Cleveland encampment nndoubt-
eddy marks the climax in gatherings or
the bronzed, aged and battle-scarred vet
Grams of the Civil War. 1t brought to-
gether scores of old solliers many OF
whom will not be on hand for another en-
campmcnt. Depleted numbers, the adj
vanced age and accommodating inhrmlties
of those who survive, the disappearance
Of posts by the death of members, Will
end in the not distant future the history
Of the Grand Army-an organization that
has had career that stamps 1t as UNIQUE
in itself, without reference to the eXcep.
tional nature of the great events from
which it took its rise. Held together en-
- nf ;.nn nd Il
spirit Of mutual helpfunpss, its existence
has been a perpetual reminder or the
strength of the bonds and the intensity
of the patriotic spirit which united the
men engaged in the war.
Cleveland has not had the national en-
campment since 1872, and secured it this
year through the efforts Of the Business
Mems Associat ton Of that city. The lo-
cal committee made ample provision for
the accommodation and social entertain
ment of the veterans. Comfortable quar-
ters were provided in sevcnty-three public
school buildings, and 500 local veterans
and Sons of Veterans acted as guides.
There were camp fires galore, where The
''boys" could summon memories of the
breaking of the storm of war, enlistment,
of fearful good bycs. reports OF killed,
wounded and missing. the long struggle,
the final triumph, the journey home, and
the greeting There were also reunions
Of brigades, regiments, battal;ons, AMI
companies, with addresses by orators Of
national reputation.
In connection with the cncampment
were held meetings of other national as
sociations, as follows: Woman's Relief
~ ( A OH
Of Veterans, Sons of Veterans, Naval
Veterans, and its woman's auxiliary, Col
ored Veterans, Union Ex-IrlSoners OF
War, and its Woman's auxiliary, Mexican
War Veterans, Army Nurses, and Loyal
Home Workers. Interest in the encamp-
ment business proceedings conferred IN
the election of a Communicating chief for
the ensuing year. Three prominent can
didates were considered. They were Dan
lei E. Sickles of New York, Eli Torrance
of Minnesota and Thomas j. Stewart Of
Pennsylvania.
With each year the general interest in
the National Grand Army Of the Repub-
lie grows; apparently increasing with the
ratio in which the ranks are thinning.
This ratio has crept in the last ten years
from LIB to $50 per cent. The organ
ization deached its high-water mark in
1890, when its members numbered 409,-
$50. In 1900 the enrolment was 2I6, G6S.
Although Monday was the opening day,
the real beginning OF the encampmen.
was Tuesday, when there was great
naval parade Oh Lake Erie. commemora-
tive of Commodore Perry's historic vic
tory, which occurred Sept 10, 1913. The
following day occurred the great street
parade The line OF march was but two
miles in length, the long marches Of other
encampments having fatigued the veter-
ans too much. 1t was an inspiring scene
On the opening day it was estimated
that there were nearly 100000 strangers
in the city.