Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 September 1901 — WAR HEROES IN CAMP [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WAR HEROES IN CAMP

■SORROW FOR M’KINLEY TEMPERS JOY OF VETERANS Thirty-fifth Encampment of O. A. R. Opine in Clevelan ! Condemnation of Assassin and Hope for Victim the Keynote of Speeches. The thirty-fifth annual encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic began Monday in Cleveland. Never, perhaps, since its organization has this fast-dimin-ishing army of Civil War veterans gathered around the campfire In circumstances so profoundly solemn and Impressive. Former encampments, scarcely without exception, have been happy reunions; this one could not avoid the features of a house of grief, verging perilously near to the borders of mourning. Gen. Daniel Sickles voiced the sentiments of the thousands of Grand Army veterans assembled when he strode into the national headquarters Monday and, adSresslng Gen. Leo Rassieur and other ignltaries, said: “Comrades, let ns thank God for the news from Buffalo! The Lord has heard the prayers of the world. Christian, Mohammedan, Chinese and all people have united with us in prayer that McKinley might be spared to us. That prayer is answered.” In a sense the birth of the Grand Army was marked by the assassination of one

President. It came out of times of strife and disorder. It has seen these pass away and its whitening veterans have come to await the last call in the sunlight of peace and union and in the rcflectiyn of a work well done and a repose well earned. Today the tragedy of is recalled. Thursday they held a grand good-will gathering for the purpose of extending the sympathy of the nation and of the Grand Army to the President. Senator Manderson of Nebraska also sounded the keynote of the encampment at the reunion of the First Ohio volunteer light artillery. "Tempering every breath of happiness at this reunion is the fearful tragedy of last Friday,” said Gen. Manderson. “1 can find no words in which to refer fittingly to the wretch who has done this thing. It is for us and our sons to stamp out anarchy and socialism as we stamped out secession.” The Cleveland encampment undoubtedly marks the climax in gatherings of the bronzed, aged aud battle-scarred veterans of the Civil War. It brought together scores of old soldiers, many es whom will not be on hand for another encampment. Depleted numbers, the advanced age and accumulating infirmities of those who survive, the disappearances of posts by the death of members, will end in the not distant future the history of the Grand Army—an organization that has had a career that stamps it as unique in Itself, without reference to the exceptional nature of the great events from which it took its rise. Held together entirely by community of sentiment and a spirit of mutual helpfulness, its existence has been a perpetual reminder of the strength of the bonds and the intensity of the patriotic spirit which united the men engaged In the war. Cleveland has not had the nations] encampment since 1872, and secured it thia year through the efforts of the Business Men's Association of that city. The local committee made ample provision for the accommodation and social entertainment of the veterans. Comfortable quarters were provided in seventy-three public school buildings, and 500 local veterans and Sons of Veterans acted as guides. There were camp fires galore, where the “boys” could summon memories of the breaking of the storm of war, enlistment, of tearful good byes, reports of killed, wounded and missing, the long struggles the final triumph, the journey home, and the greeting. There were also reunions of brigades, regiments, battalion-*, an i companies, with addresses by orators of national reputation. In connection with the encampment were held meetings of other national associations, as follows: Woman's Relief Corps, Ladies of the G. A. R„ Daughters of Veterans, Sons of Veterans, Naval Veterans, and its woman's auxiliary. Colored Veterans, Union Ex-Prisoners of War, and its woman's auxiliary, Mexican War Veterans, Army Nurses, and Loyal Home Workers. Interest In the encampment business proceedings centered in the ejection of a commander-in chief for the ensuing year. Three prominent candidates were considered. They were Daniel E. Sickles of New York, Eli Torrance of Minnesota nud Thomas J. Stewart of Pennsylvania. * With'each year |he general Interest in the Natloual Grand Army of the Republic grows; apparently increasing with the ratio in which the ranks are thinning. This ratio has crept in the Inst ten years from 1.33 to 2.80 per cent. The organization dcached its high-water mark in 1890. when its members numbered 409,489. In 1900 the enrollment was 276,669. Although Monday was the opening d*y, the real beginning of the encampment was Tuesday, when there was a great naval parade on Lake Erie, commemorative of Commodore Perry's historic victory, which occurred Sept. 10, 1813. The following day occurred the great street parade. The line of march was but two miles in length, the long roarehes of other encampments having fatigued the veterans too muA. It was an inspiring scene On the opening day It was estimated that there were nearly 190,000 strangers In ths city.

MAJOR LEO RASSIEUR. Retiring Commander-in-Chief.