The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1910-09-22
BY Associated Press.

by ASSOCldleu TTeSS.
Atlantic City, Sept. 22.-With fine
tributes to the soldiers of the confed-
|eracy, Commander-in-C Chief Samuel H.
Van SAINT of Minnesota, today, form
ally opened the business session of the
National Encampment of the G. A. r.
The commander spoke earnestly as he
expressed his qualification at the in
creasing determination of the Blue
and the Gray.
Atlantic City, N j., Sept. 22.--Com-
|prehensively reviewing the work Of
the Grand Army of the Republic in the
nation for the past year during which
he has acted as its head, Commander
in-Chief Samuel R. Van SAINT today ad-
dressed the delegates to the forty
fourth National Encampment as well
with an eye to the future good that
the great organization might accom-
plish as upon the notable achievements
of its past.
While the roll of the Grand Army is
steadily shortening, the COMMANDMENTS
chief urged that every effort be made
to keep the organization up to its full
est possible strength. He quoted the
figures showing that the G. A. r. at
the beginning Of the present year had
still 21S,901 members in good stand
ing, as against 220,60O at the begin
ming of 1909. The loss during the
year was 6,781, of which 5,323 was by
death. The commander urged that re-
cruiting measures be taken among the
large number of former Union soldiers
who are not enrolled as Grand Army
members.
The speaker noted better general
observance of Memorial Day than
formerly. Let us insist and do all
in our power" he said, that Memorial
Day shall be devoted solely and only
to the purpose for which it was Great
ed. Let it be the one day of the year
devoted to honoring our 'deathless
dead for in that way we will teach
the rising generation love of coun-
try, without which our nation cannot
long survive" He also urged the gem
eral cooperation of the G. A. R. mem
bers in inducing a general observance
of Flag Day.
Commander-in-C Van SAINT had
commendation for the work of all the
G. A. R. auxiliaries, praising the ex-
cellent work being done by the Wo-
mans Relief Corps. Ladies of the G.
A. R., Sons of vetreans and Daugh-
ters of Veterans. OF the Sons of Vet
Grams, he said;
This can be made a still grander
organization. 1t is constantly increas-
ing in numbers and influence The
Sons of Veterans with proper en-
couragement should soon be the larg-
est patriotic body of men in the
world. That it may is my earnest
wish. The Sons of Veterans should
have all the encouragement possible
from the Grand Army of the Republic.
1t is matter of great satisfaction
that the sons meet with us this year.
l trust our National Encampments may
in the future be held at the same time
and in the same place."
OF the more liberal pension legis-
lation recommended by the last an
nual encampment and urged al Wash
ington by its committee, Commander
in-Chief Van SAINT said;
Il regret that nothing was accom-
plished, but it was no fault of the
committee. Congress would not pass
any general pension legislation How
ever, some six thousand private pen
sion bills were enacted The commit
tee canvassed the matter Industrious
ly with senators and representatives.
but 10 no purpose. The government
was facing deficiency in its revenues
and retrenchment and the strictest
economy was the watchword. This
was the reason given for non-action.
In my Judgment, in view of the chang
ed condition in our country's finan.
cial affairs, if this encampment should
again recommend this measure, 1t
would likely pass.
"The Grand Army of the Republic
has ever stood for the recognition of
the services of its members, regard
less Of length of seryice-the ninety
days man as we'll as the veteran who