The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-08-17

Boston, Aug. 11.-Ine G. "A. IL. ana
the affiliated organizations went into
convention today to transact the bust
ness Of the national encampment. The
meetings Of the various bodies gave
promise of unusual interest because
of the unusually spirited tho friendly
contest for the different offices.
General w. w. Blackmar, COM
mander of the Department Of Massa-
chusetts, is regarded with favor as a
candidate for the office of command
er-in-chief and his election is pre-
dicted.
The accredited delegates, number
ing between thirteen and fourteen
hundred, assembled in Symphony hall.
In his annual address, Commander
n-Chief Black, discussing immigra-
ton, declared that the Grand Army
Of the Republic owed it to those who
focked to the shores of America to
let them know how high should be
the character and how ample the
preparation of those who seek the
privilege Of blood-bought franchises,
also how complete should be the re-
sponsibility Of those in public places
to the American requireme nts of citi-
zenship and official position.
The commander urged that further
attempts be made to crystalline into
law the provisions Of the executive
ssioner Of pensions in March, which
calls for the pensioning of veterans
who have passed the age of 60. He
urged the departments to take neces-
sary steps for the suborganization OF
posts and outposts in order that scat
tered members might come together
for fraternal greetings, and recon-
mended that Memorial Day be made
a, grand American Sabbath.
a letter from President Roosevelt
to Commander Blackmar of the Mas
sachusetts department was then read.
It was in part as follows:
NV Dear General Blackmar: I have
most carefully considered the invitation
which received thu you and your asso-
ciates Of the committee to attend this
year the annual encampment of the Grand
Army Of the Republic at Boston. It is
with the most genuine regret that fine
that it is Impossible for me to accept.
One Of the memories which shall al
ways cherish is the occasion two years
ago when it was my good fortune to drive
along Sthe line of the Grand Army, ano
afterwards from the stand to greet 1t al
1t passed in review. It is no disrespect tt
any other body Of our citizens to say thai
the men who fought for the union In the
great civil war have a claim upon al
Americans, such as no other men in the
country can have. It is to you we owe
the fact that we have country at all
and every man Is under a debt Of persona
obligation to you and your comrades who
in their youth and early manhood in the
supreme hour of the nations need rallied
to the call Of Abraham Lincoln and aftel
four weary years., saw the triumph O
the armies commanded by Ulysses s
Grant There have been other crises ii
the history of the government, but no
l'since its foundation has there been any
other in which the existence of the gov
eminent itself was at stake. Therefore i
| fell to the lot of you and of those wht
stood with you from 1851 to1865 to rende
I the one service which was vital, not onl,
Ito the wellbeing, but to the very Afe o
1.-THE nation.
AS the representative Of all our people
I bid you God-speed and send you thi
expression Of the honor and esteem II
which the nation holds the members o
the encampment and their comrades thru
out the country.