The Minneapolis journal., 1902-08-11
MONDAY EVENING, AUGUST II. 1902.
THEG.A.R.
Washington for Permanent Meeting
Place Objected To. ~,
ToRRANcE's VIEW
Invitation From Commissioners of
District Columbia Received
p. f.f;r d by Judge Torrance.

While the opinion prevails to some ex-
tent at Washington that the nations cap
ital should become the regular meeting
place of the Grand Army OF the Republic,
as stated In T HI J urnal's dis
patches Saturday, the idea does not meet.
with favor here. Commander-in- chief Ell
Torrance said this morning that while
there was much that might be said for the
plan it could hardly become popular in
Grand Army ranks, as it would preclude
many from attending the encampments.
Many who attend encampments held near
their homes would under the proposed plan
be able to attend none at all, and with
the encampnents so far away many who
now attend all, the near and the far av-
eraging up happy medium Of expense,
would be able to attend only part. Such
Is likely to prove the feeling of large
numbers in the ranks of the Army.
ID. C.'s Invitation.
That the reception of the veterans at
washington will be warm one this fall
Is shown by a letter Of invitation received
by Commander Torrance from Henry B..
F. Macfarlane, president of the commits
sioners Of the District Of Columbia. This
letter is official and among other things
says: :, '.'. -. - -
eve feel that no argument is needed
to induce the veterans Of the civil war to
deeper interest in it than other citizens,
because they offered their lives for it's de-
tense. 1t is still the national capital be-
cause their valor was victorious and be-
cause their devotion consecrated it. In
preserving the union they preserved its
capital. The sacrifices they made for it,
the sentiment aroused for it, stopped for
ever the talk of removing it. from the
District of Columbia 49,
The letter also contains happily
worded compliment to the veterans on
their visit to Washington ten years ago.
The Commanders Reply.
Commander Torrance in reply wrote:
This invitation is accepted in the spirit
in which it is extended and with CRATE
| full appreciation of the gracious welcome
and generous hospitality that await the
| home coming of the union soldier to the
| nations capital.
"Washington is without rival in the
veneration and affection of the surviving
veterans Of the Grand Army Of the Re-
public for, as you SO truly say, they have
a deeper interest in it than other citizens
Ebeeause they offered their lives for It's
defense and because their valor was vic
torious and their devotion consecrated
| it, --- z:
ut is the one city of this great repub-
lie with which the sorrows and glories o1
the nations defenders are inseparably
linked and no soldier of the union car
walk its streets or look upon the stately
dome Of its capitol without recalling the
deeds ard scenes, the sacrifices ant
triumphs Of an epoch that was supremely
| heroic.
I'm response to your invitation we shall
come from the uttermost parts of the
continent. We will leave our home:
singly and in little companies, but wher
We reach your city We will have becom,
a mighty host of marching men-an arm!
bearing banners of peace, without wea
pons or instruments Of war for concord
now dwells in all Our borders and peace
rejgns
"O'er thousand fields OF waving grain
In the quiet dales and whirring rnarts,
In all our homes and all our hearts"