The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1910-10-06
SAY ENCAMPMENT
IS LAST FOR c. A. R.
Joint Meetings of Blue and GRAY
Advocated by Veterans at
Atlantic City Rally.

!, ATLANTIC CITY, n. J.. September
! lS.-The bond of sentiment that has
welded together the hearts of the
! North and the South was never more in
! evidence than today at the formal open
! ING of the fortv-fourth national en-
! campment Of the Grand Army of the
Republic. 1t is probable that there
may never be another encampment held
by the Grand Army of the Republic.
The movement to bring together every
survivor of the Civil War has grown
wonderfully.
The idea advocated here today at the
twenty-fourth annual reunion and camp
fire Of the Philadelphia brigade. second
division, second army corps, by H. \.
Herbert, one time secretary of the
| navy. in the Cleveland administration.
took firm grip upon the thousands of
veterans. Cheers greeted Samuel f.
Van SAINT, one time Governor of Min
nesOta, who declared himself in favor of
the idea. Gen Daniel E. Sickles also
favored the plan for a big reunion and
declared he would give the matter his
earnest support.
But that was but an incident in the
many today. Two great demonstrations
Of patriotism and love drew together
thousands of the survivors.
Here and there little party or men
in gray uniforms discussed favorably
the project of union meeting in the
future.
Many expect that the protest against
the erection of the statue of Gen
Robert f. Lee in the rotunda of the
Capitol Will be dropped entirely and a
movement begun for monster monu-
ment erected by the people of the
country and dedicated not to the heroes
of the North or the brave men of the
South, but rather to the men who sac
rfced their all for the cause that they
thought was right.
Strangers wondered at the scenes to-
day They wondered why such men
ever fought. Commander Van SAINT
and General Hobart told them that the
Civil War was inevitable, but that it
was over and only the glories of its
result remain.
The survivors of the brigade marched
~, the Boardwalk behind the com
mander in chief s band and in order
of their companies took their seats.
The choir of the First Methodist
Church sang and the Rev. Ulysses
Grant Hagaman invoked divine bless
ing on the assemblage
1t was during the opening remarks
of John W. Frazier that the first Incl
dent of the meeting occurred. Mr.. Fra
zier had reached a point when he was
speaking Of heroes. He named General
Sickles and was about to go on. From
the back of the auditorium shouted a
voice that General Sckles was coming.
Every person in the hall arose and
looked toward the door. General Sickles
received an ovation that will long live
in his memory
Nothing would do but they must
have him on the platform and after
forcing the protestin. general into
chair. four of his old command hoisted
their chieftain s chair and all from the
floor to the platform. General Herbert
arose and saluted. The band played
"DixieH and "Yankee Doodle. .
There is one thing of which | am
proud said Commander Van SAINT,
land that is that no American army
has ever surrendered to anything or
anybody, except another American
army. Another thing | wish to impress
is that there is no longer North and
South We are all one great American
people
Rather impressively he CHANGED to
mention the name of Col. Theodore
Roosevelt while delivering a eulogy
to the army and navy heroes of the
SPANS American War. The applause
was hardly audibie and hearers gazed
at one another in surprise. unable to
explain why the ovation was not
greater.
There seemed to be Just one note of
disapproval against the present admin
istration. The reason became apparent
when Mai John d. Woman took a
fling at resident Taft's private secre-
tary. He regretted that Secretary Nor
ton had taken a stand against the
Grand Army men.
General Herbert spoke shortly after
ward and, referring to the incident,
said: "Why. had | been told when |
was at Antietam that in years to come
would have stood side by side with
federal soldiers and grasped the Stars
and Stripes with them, / should have
h,a,, inc1I+aI