The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1881-09-22
Kansas VeteIans-Incidents of the State
Soldiers ReuBion-SenatOr Plumb's
Speech, Etc.

4
Speech. Etc.
] TOPEKA, Sept. 16.-Yesterday was {
great day in the memory of the old sol
diers of Kansas. The long talked Of
reunion took place, and it brought to
in the state. Ample preparations had
been made. it was supposed, to lodge all
| who might come; but the number
exceeded all expectations. Not only were
| the hotels, boarding and private houses
too small, but the town itself was taxed
10 its utmost TO hold the crowd The
prisoners of war to the number of 2S5
marched in body through the streets.
These represented Salisbury, Libby,
Belle Isle and other noted prisons of the
south.
The reunion proper commenced at
20 in the morning, and the exercises
took place on the south side of the cap
itol. At the hour named the meeting
was called to order, and Bishop Vail
made the prayer, after which Captain
Lewis Hanback,, president of the day,
stated the object of the gathering in the
following words:
My heart is so full with utterauces
that my tongue falters TO speak. think
of that bright morning in July when
there flashed all over the country the
summons of that great and good man,
who sleeps in martyrs grave, and whose
soul is at peace to day, looking down
from the fair courts of heaven. l re-
member the thrill that went out over the
land as his command came TO you, TO
me and to all the large north,
TELLING THE DANGER
of the country, and instructing US to
rise i'll It's defence; and there were gath
cred now, as the loyal and true. But then
there were tears and Gods blessing in
boy; and out from from the
loyal north, from Illinois, from Kan
sas-but then just entering upon her
new statehood, bride, the faIrest in the
land. From all the loyal north from
the state capitols, and many fair viii
lage went marching with the Boys in
Blue with faces set in determination and
eyes from which looked the martial
spirit of the old guard at Waterloo.
Out to the war they went side by side,
commanded to share each others dan
gers; commanded to conquer or die;
side by side they went out to face the
dangers of the future from which they
returned the veterans l see to-day. But
while we are thus reunited to talk over
the old battles and live over the old
glories, let us not forget the brave boys
who are sleeping upon the fields of the
south, upon the soils of Georgia and
Virginia and beneath the shadow of
Lookout Mountain. Let US not forget
the fathers and mothers of the war, who
with brave tears sent out their sons to
conflict. With deep remembrance
of old, we shall meet tO part no more.
The speaker then introduced Gov John
p. ST. John, who delivered the address of
welcome. After the address of welcome
SENATOR PLUMB.
spoke as follows:
GOV. ST. JOHN: On behalf of this
great multitude l make acknowledge
ments here for the timely words of vel
come that have been extended to the SOL
diers and sailors of the war for the In
ion. We know that this welcome is
sincere or it could not come, as it did,
through the honOred chief executive of
this great state, himself soldier of the
war. 1t is evidenced also by the hOspi-
talities extended to you by the people of
Topeka, who have opened their houses,
their hearts and their purses, who show
also in their faces that you are indeed
welcome TO Topeka, well worthy to be
the capital of great state-One of the
and marks in the struggle for freedom
upon Kansas soilF She has caught the
spirit of this great state and of this re-
union. She has undertaken this welcome
and she has made it heartfelt, open and
strong. 1t will remain precious mem
DRY in the hearts of all here assemblies
for all time to {come. Some one re-
marked this morning that he thought
Topeka had
ALL SHE COULD DO.
l do not know bat what that is so but
- II,
sible, and if the city realizes that there
are more people in Kansas than she ex-
pected, it is only one of those surprises
that comes to US now and then, Kansas
is bigger than they would have us be-
lieve. There are million within her
borders, and everyone seems anxious to
be here on this occasion, and if the pro-
visions give out, why the city is open 90
US in the old way. Though, to say the
truth, there were never any SO maligned
in regard to their predatory habits as the
Union soldiers. They never took any
thing they did not want, and they never
took anything they
COULD NOT CARRY AWAY.
| do not want to rob anybody of their
just rights, so ought perhaps 10 make
an exception in favor of the Seventh
Kansas. They were said TO have taken
lndJ WHICH lAcy uAu HOb Wdnts nuASA
they had no use for. and which they
never expected to have. A good story
is told on them while down in Georgia.
Some of the boys had been fOragiS g 'on
an Old farmer down there and he came
to the general with his complaint Gen.
eral, said he, some of your men have
taken my potatoes, chickens, and in fact
everything l had. Is it possible? said
the general. You just show me the man
and I'll punish him. / can't do that
said the farmer because they all look
so much alike. Well, said the general,
if you can't show me the culprit / GER
tainly cannot punish him. Well, said
the farmer one thing they can't rob me
OF, as he turned away, and that is my
HOPE OF SALVATION.
| don't know about that, said the gen.
eral. If IFS anything you esteem very
highly or to which you attach any re
gard, you had better get it hidden before
the Seventh Kansas comes along.
Upon the occasion. am glad to vel
come men who, serving in the capacity
of soldiers, carried tho flag of the Union
to victory. Men who have demonstrate
ed that they possess the characteristics
of freemen. Who untutoTed in the art of
war submitted to discipline and became
as plastic clay for the perfection of an
for the protection of their
There are those who said that
whatever might be the result of the war
that the death knell of the republic was
sounded that these men had become
USED TO ARMS
and were now controlled and influenced
by leaders who had become popular and
had gained their admiration: that they
would use them TO destroy the republic
and perpetuate military power. but
when the war was ended and the army
OF the Cumberland marched up Pennsyl-
vania avenue at Washington 10 meet the
army of the Potomac 200, 600 strong, as
they passed the President, they saluted
him as the Chief Executive of the Nation,
and after enduring every sacrifice and
suffering all the prlvation and haTdships
of conflict and war, when the end was
accomplished and victory was achieved,
they returned home and to labor.
Tnis the mighty Of host sSs na Vanished
though sunk in the earth as sunk the
clan of Roderick Dhue in the highland
glen before the startled eyes of Filz
James, to rise only when the county
should call and liberty might again be
periled. The senator continued his re-
marks at considerable length and was fire.
quenly interrupted by applause.
NIGHT PROGRAM.
The soldiers and sailors are having q
camp fire engagement tonight which
will never be forgotten by any of them.
Ten thousand of the boys who were
used to wars alarms are enrolled at this
reunion and are present. Speeches were
made tonight by S. E. Sheldon, Lewis
Hanback,, j. p. HaiIowell and many 9th
er prominent old comrades. At IL
O'Clock they were given gorgeous sup
per by the citizens Of Topeka
A resolution was adopted designating
the third Wednesday in January as the
time for the annual meeting at Topeka
The following resolution was adopted:
ResoEced, That as soldiers and sailors
of Kansas, without distinction Of rank,
regiment or company, we will hereafter
hold mr. animal rafIni0u af the time a.