The National tribune., 1902-09-11
FOR COMMANDER.IN-CHIEF.

Northern Budget, Troy, N. Y: The
only candidate SO far in the field for Com
mander-il- Chief is Comrade John McEl-
roy, ed Dr Of The National Tribune,
Washington, D. G. He is one of the
most earnest and Jealous workers in the
organization and is devoting his iife-work
to the advancement of the veterans of the
great struggle for the preservation Of the
Union. He is now the Senior Vice Com
mander, and his promotion to the head
of the great organization would be an
honor not only to himself but to the city
of Washington, where the Encampment
will be held. Comrade McElroy enlisted
in 1862, when but 16 years Of age, and
served until the fearful struggle for the
Union was over, in the 10th ILL., Cav. He
was an Andersonvilie prisoner, and re-
fused heroically many offers from the
rebel authorities to desert his position as
Union soldier and join the COnfederates.
They saw his good qualities, and wanted
to possess them. But no! He was a
Union soldier of the tried and true kind,
and he stood by the Star Spansled Ban
ner.
The New York Press: The candidacy of
Senior Vice Commander-in- Chief John Nc
Elroy, of Washington, D. c., for the pO-
sition of Commander-in-Ch Chief Of the G. A.
r., is receiving Endorsement from all
quarters. Comrade McElroy has good
military record. He served from October,
1862. to the close of the war. Ne was in
Co. L, 18th Ill. Cav, and was a prisoner
at Andersonville and other places. He
has had editorial control Of papers Of
national reputation for % years. A we'll
known cOmrade from Brooklyn, N. Y,
writes regarding him:
"His earnest loyalty to we old boys,
his gritty manner in working for us, his
keen editorials. his loving style and his
excellent record give us proof that we can
not honor him too much. He stood by us
when others tainted. He charged bay
onets in behalf Of the G. A. r. when 9th
ers stayed in the bushes way back
love him for the friends he has made"
Another, a comrade from Ohio, says:
"He learned comradeship in sure and
stern field, where the 0dor Of gunpowder,
the music was the blare Of trumpets,
and the eloquence was the sharp, curt Or
ders Of the officers, and the answering ap-
plause was the deadly volley of the rebel
rifle, and shrieking shell; where the lid of
a cracker box was a festal board; or in
Andersonyille, where even crackers and
cracker boxes were unknown except in
the hungering dreams OF famishing pa
triOts. 1t was picked up on the line Of
march, where the already overburdened
SuOulUeTS ulu uOt UeSilItt tO leHu u ueip-
ing hand by bearing the belongings of
sick or weaker companions, or skirt the
road for miles that he might have a drink
Of clean, fresh water, or some delicacy not
found in the army ration; where selfish
seeking had no existence. and the strife
was all for one and one for all. In that
school he learned comradeship, the ties of
which were as strong as iron, and, with
all their rough and jagged edges, as ten
der as a woman's love. and endures for
ever. There may be others who may yet
present themselves. graduates of the same
school, but Comrade McElroy Is all right"
The Brooklyn Eagle gives the candi-
dacy Of J1hn McElroy nearly column
notice, with his picture. and prints the
circular sent out by the Department of
Potomac comrades, in its entirety. The
Eagle also says that it is believed that
Comrade McElroy has the lead In the
race.