The National tribune., 1902-09-25
SEATTLE IN 1903.
An Invitation 0ths National Encampment
to Meet "A he Pacific Coast.

SEATTLE In ISO3.
An Invitation 6ths National Encampment
to Meet - PIE Pacific Coast.
EDITOR NAlf0NAL TRIBUNE: Allow an
"old vet spaces our National Tribune
to suggest orzhint to the old comrades
about to convene in Annual Reunion at
Washington, d. c., the most appropriate
and the logical place for their next Ma
tional rendezvous; It is now 30 years or
more since the Millions Of survivors of
the '.late war Of the rebellion" have held,
with yearly decreasing numbers, their an
nual assemblies, and yet, If we remem-
Der rightly, only one Of these grand, .glo.
riOus, and soul-stirfing Reunions was held
west of the Rockies. In the early days
of the organization Of the G. A: X. this
was excusable' on the score of inexpt d.
ency as well as economy, but that Gay
has passed and gone. In those early days
most of the country or regions west of
the Rockies, as well as large portion
east Of them, was truly bowling will
derness, the wild and woody West, with
Indian yells too plentifully interspersed
for the comfort Of pioneer life. For LOT
years only one great transcontinental line
of railway traversed the long and drea!y
stretch of plains and mountains between
populous East and the sparsely set
tied Pacific Slope, a, long, weary ride OF
eight days or more from New York to San
Francisco. Now the transcontinental
lines of railway have multiplied to an
extent that is hard to fully realize. The
Government by liberal donations from the
public domains made it possible for many
new competing lines to be opened up. and
providing rich fields for investment of pri-
yate capital TO add to that network of
transcOntinental railways that today
grasps in one united whole the require
ments of a Pacific and an Atlantic COM
merce that equals or even exceeds that
of the rest of the civilized world, and
sends hearty greeting of welcome from
the Pacific to the Atlantic and back.
The coming great harbor of commerce
of the world is now manifest to the COM
mercial world and to all who can read
and reason on the location and natural ca
pacity of Puget Sound and its rapid and
easy development to meet the great com
mercial demands of the future. But it is
not to advertise it's constantly manifest
and wonderful future that / write at this
time. l ask, "What more appropriate
place for the National G. A. II. meet for
1903 than at the city of Seattle, Wash.
on Puget Sound?" In that city, and
the dozens of contiguous cities on the
million visiting old comrades. wives and
their descendants and friends could be
supplied and such wholesome, healthful
and delightful attractions as no other
point in the whole United States can fur
nish or even dream of, much less afford.
Clam-bakes, salmon and trOut-fshing
mountain recreations, yacht races, voy-
ing regions above the clouds; rides by
rail, steam and by sail, saying nothing Of
those by electricity; visits to waterfalls
more picturesque in the grandeur Of their
mountain settings than anywhere else on
the globe, would constitute few of the
many attractions to be enjoyed by the
visiting "Old vets''-blue and gray-and
their kindred organizations during the hap
py season of fraternal greetings and ex-
changes of goodwill.
And why should not the railways, from
one end of our great country to the 9th
cr-North, South East and West-join
in making such a, Reunion the grandest
military demonstration the world has ever
known, and give ,t~ the fast departing sur
vivors of that first and last internecine
struggle fitting testimonial of apprecia-
ton that all thc. present and coming gen
eratioEs owe or will owe them for our
One, United, and Free American Nation
and People. It was the decisive contest
of 35 years ago that made it possible for
this Nation to be one, great, glorious, and
grand in its objects and aspirations. and
to open up the richest field for railway
investments the world has ever had
knowledge of, hence why should they
(the railroads., not show their gratitude
in return next year by making rates that
will enable the Nations old defenders,
their sons, daughters, wives, and ancient
antagonists Ofathei gray to meet in one
gigantic conclafe in climate, in loca
ton, and under circumstances that shall
emphasize and confirm that worldwide
inspiration SO many have drawn from
viewing that magnificent old painting in
the National Capitol, and know for fact
that Westward the Star of Empire takes
Its Way" Let us meet in Seattle in
1908! Seattle will do her part by way
of inducement. we know.-F. d. CARSON,
Co. Fl, 9th Wis, Third Brigade, First Di-
vision, Sixth Corps, Snohomish, Wash.