Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-23

of things wear the chieftains badge, and
the highest in the land might we'll be proud
SO to co. The national encampments bring
together a high class of men, the pick and
the leaders Of all the survivors of the Union
army. They surely were the men of siren
uouS lives from 81 to 80, and there is
great deal of energy left in many of them
yet.
Meetings Full of Interest.
''Our annual meetings are always full OF
interest and there is vim and an intellec-
tual vigor which might surprise some, con-
sideIing that all the members are by age
qualified for the Osler degree
I'VE look forward to these annual con-
claves with great interest. and it seems to
me there has never been a more thorough
interest. taken than is being taken this year.
Colorado, always noted for her great hos
pltailty, is, by common consent, liable, when
we meet in Denver next September to go
beyond anything we have previously ex-
Derienced.
THE various railroad agencies over the
country report that all indications promise
a record-breaking attendance. There are
special reasons why this should prove true.
Those who go do not have to extend their
time very much nor add much to their ex-
pense to give themselves the beauty and
glory of the Yellowstone and the interest
of the Portland exposition. So all things
tend to create unusual interest in the
thirty-ninth annual encampment of the
Grand Army.
THE office ofco mmander-in-chief is one
of grave responsibility and will not be
lightly assumed by any one at all fitted to
discharge its duties.
Leader in Fact and in Name.
He should speak guardedly and act with
discretion as becomes one who is chosen to
lead body of a quarter Of million of our
fellow-citizens. The constituency of Bum
comb should never be considered by him.
While he should be in fact as well as in
name leader and should, so to speak.
blaze the TRAIL he should so guide his
utterances and his acts as to feel sure of
the moral support and the approval of those
who placed him at the front Without that
APPROVAL and support 1t Is very sure he
would never achieve the support of the gen.
erai public. which is absolutely necessary
TO- the success of anything proposed for
the general good of our comrades
Il think the standing of our comrades
would be better in the minds of the gen
eral public If the Grand Army were not to
be held responsible for every foolish and
wild proposition which is presented in Con-
81 eSs, ostensibly for the benefit of the old
soldier. Some crank cogftates over some
wild theory, imagines he is the head reser-
voir of wisdom, draws up bill and gets
some representative to introduce it, no mat
ter how wild it's provisions, and though 1t
dies matter of course in committee. 1t
is bruited in the newspapers as another
veteran raid on the treasury, and the gen
eral mass of the veterans are criticised and
derided by the general public therefor. If
Congress would politely, but firmly, hold to
the course that such matters must first
run the gauntlet of the approval of the ma
tional body of the Grand Army 1t would in
my opinion be a wise move.
Congress Should Heed
"On the ether hand, If Congress would
heed the well considered and authoritative
requests of the Grand Army they would
come nearer doing justice than they have
often done. Are there any such requests,
you ask. which Congress has not needed?
Sure.
Take the matter of a service pension.
Many of the boys have been asking for it
for years. Many of us said at first that it
was too early to ask for that. l was
among that number. but for some years
row the Grand Army has been practically
Il unit In favor of the measure. We have
justice side and have precedent
In our favor. Look this matter up from the
foundation of the republic and you will find
that just about forty years after every war
W have engaged In Congress has passed
service pension act, putting all the surviv-
or.i of such wars on the pension roll Apo
mattox lies forty years behind US. Our
time has come. DO unto we have
done unto others It was done for the
survivors of the war with Mexico. and so
far as / know without dissenting voice.
even though she great majority Of the
bell ficiaries Oft the law put In four good
years of their lives fighting under the stars
and bars. trying to break up the Union.
II have heard that feature of 1t fire.
quently alluded to In the Grand Army be-
hind closed doors and general approval al
ways expressed. The boys said they stood
for the flag once when 1t was in danger. 1t
is right they should have it for that
An Illustrative Incident.
In this connection 1 recall day in my
time commissioner of pensions re-
ceived a telegram one day from Fitz Lee
then governor of Virginia, asking If. Sem
ator John S. Barbour of Virginia and him
self could see me II they came to WASH
| ington the next day. OF course, l an
swered certainly. They came to see what
was needed in the settlement of the long
| delayed pension claim of Mrs Cooper,
| widow of Gen. Cooper. who was adjutant
| general of the army in 1851 and who went
south and was adJutant general of the con-
| federate army. He had served with credit
| in the Mexican war. / called the case from
| the fles to my desk and went through 1t.
The proof was complete in every respect