The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-08
ANDERSON AND THE GRAND ARMY

ANDERSON AND THE GRAND ARMY.
The meeting of the Indiana Encamp-
ment Of the<Grand Army of the Republic
in Anderson Wednesday and Thursday.
May 10 and IA. promises to be unusually
large and interesting. First, the location
is about as favorable as it can well be.
Anderson is centrally located. in the midst
of large population, with ample railroad
facilities. and is a most prominent town
on the electric lines, which make it con-
venient for large numbers of people to at
tend who could not easily do so by the less
frequent railroad trains. 1t is certain that
more people will go from Indianapolis to
attend the encampment than ever went to
a similar meeting held elsewhere than in
this city. The season is favorable. Years
ago the veterans were employed in plant
ing at this season Of the year, but the use
fulness of most of them is over in that
vocation and they are free to use the
and otherwise seeking pleasure. No one in
the country has better right to SO use
the time.
Anderson is one Of the gem cities of
Indiana. Those who knew the city ten
years ago. should they visit it now. will
find city SO grown and complete that
they will scarcely recognize it. 1t has
fine streets, public buildings, hotels. fac
tories and business blocks. During the past
few years the city seems to have been
builded anew, so spruce and modern are
its residences and it's cottages. 1t is re-
markably well-housed people-those who
dwell in Anderson-a statement which ap-
plies alike to its thousands of mechanics
and to its business men. Its leading citi-
zens are men of enterprise, and it can be
having laid aside goodly slice of the years
of prosperity.
The State Encampment of the Grand
Army of the Republic is an institution that
will not last as an official presence forever.
yet its soul will go marching on for
years. 1t is the annual conclave of the
most remarkable organization the world
has ever known. This statement is made
with a distinct understanding of its wide
significance. 1t is an organization that
has. one time or another. since the end OF
the war. had on its rolls the names OF
hundreds of thousands of volunteers in an
army which saved a nation and gave new
life to a civilization based upon popular
rights. In Indiana to-day, while the mem
bership is slowly dwindling, all things con-
it is an effective organization of 1900 men
whose youngest members must be at least
fifty-four years of age and whose average
Is past sixty years. 1t is remarkable be-
cause this body of old men is held closely
together by the unselfish spirit of COM
radeship and patriotism. Long since the
man who thought to use the Grand Army
for political advancement discovered his
mistake. The man who declared, few
years ago, that he desired to be depart
him in his congressional canvass received
few votes for that position and was not in
the race for Congress. 1t is the glory o!
the Grand Army that it's incompara bic
comradeship is priceless. 1t is that which
holds 1t together and which will take it's
representatives to Anderson next week.
Yet the Grand Army is not understood
by many. There are newspapers which de-
nounce 1t as a pension-grabbing organiza-
ton. when, as a matter of fact, it has
stood against the visionary schemes pro-
posed for pensions. 1t does not embrace
the larger part of those who served in the
war for the Union, but II includes large
part Of the veterans in every community
where there Is small post. II
has kept tens Of thousands of ole
veterans from the poorhouses. and help:
them now from day to day. Whatever
legislatures have done to keep its veteran:
from the poorhouse they have done on the
asking of the Grand Army. But. despit,
ignorant or vicious detractors, the Crane
Army Of the Republic stands forth to-da,
as conservative power for good in tn,
land, its members always the champion.
Of law and order and examples of goot
citizenship. To entertain this notabl,
organization lie the high privilege of tn,
patriotic people Of Anderson.