The National tribune., 1882-12-21
A WAR LIBRARY
Presented to the Soldiers Home at Bath, n. Y
The Donors Speech.
Special Correspondenee National Tribune.


Special Correspondence National Tribune.
BATH, \. y, Dec. 1S.-In 1850 the Grand
Army of the Republic, at their semi-annual
Encampment, appointed a committee to prepare
and present TO the Hon. John III. Starin testl-
monial in recognition of many kindnesses he
has extended TO veteran soldiers and sailors.
At Mr.. Starin's request, however, the money
appropriated for the purpose $500 was devoted
to the purchase of 400 volumes of books relating
to the rebellion and suitable case for contain
ing them. The presentation ceremonies took
place in the chapel in the presence of fifty
guests and inmates of the Home, and were pre-
sided over by Gen. Slocum, president of the
Board of Trustees, who referred in a most com
plmentary manner to Mr. Starin's action in
diverting the testimonial from himself to the
uses of the old soldiers and said that the Ii brary
would add greatly to the attractions of the
Home, and be a great comfort to the veterans in
their declining years. The inmates approved
these remarks with loud applause. u.
Gen. Henry A. Barnum, of New York, chair
man of the Grand Army of the Republic TeStl-
monial Committee, gave the history of the
library project, and spoke in most enthusiastic
terms Of Mr.. Starin's many acts of kindness to
soldiers and the families of dead soldiers, and
said he was most Justly called the soldiers
friend. His remarks were loudly applauded.
Mr. Starin then presented the library TO the
home in the following speech:
at Is not my purpose, as 1t Is certainly not
my forte, To make speech. L desire only In
brefest form to state the reasons which sug
gested to me the idea of this library. 1t had
come to my knowledge that the Grand Army
of the Republic of our State was about to offer
me testimonial of their appreciation. The
intimation of such an intention on the part OF
SO large. so influential, and respectable
body could not be other than gratifying to me.
Actuated by n genuine regard for the veterans,
I IN
those who were within reach of the MetrOpo
lis and to the representatives from the State at
large. In Congress / had taken pleasure in
looking after the pensions of deserving apph-
cants, especially those whose age or necessities
entitled them to a speedy adjustment of their
claims. In all my acts | have endeavOred to
give expression to what is still my firm, though,
l fear, my not quite fashionable, belief, that
the men who fought to maintain the Govern
ment are worthy of more honor than those who
sought to destroy it. And that, other things
being equal, those who can show the scars of
battle deserve Il preference over those who have
never suffered for their country. Some years
ago handsome testimonial was presented to
me by the soldiers and sailors who had partici-
patGd in the veterans excursions. / then re-
marked that | should have preferred to see the
money that it had cost invested for the poor
widow or orphan children of a soldier. | ac-
cepted it, however, for the kindly feeling it
expressed, and to-day it is an ornament of my
home of which | am justly proud. When this
second offer came from the entire Grand Army
of the Republic of the State, it occurred to me
that | might accept the honor and still donate
the gift so that the soldiers should themselves
get the benefit of every dollar of it. Ny sug-
gestion that the amount intended for a testi-
mOnial to me should be invested in a library
devoted to the literature of the war, to be placed
in this home of the brave of New York, met
with the approval of your committee Subse-
quent appropriations have swelled the original
gift until to-day it is my good fortune to pre-
sent to you a case of books that does credit to
the donors, and yet is. | trust, only the nucleus
of much larger library to be secured in the
future. 1t will recall the scenes in which you
have nObly played your part. 1t emhalmS the
memories of the heroes whom you cherish.
The transfer of it to you gives me more pleasure
than l can tell. More pleasure than to be the
recipient of any similar gift intended solely for
myself One word more and / have done.
thank the representatives of the Grand Army
of the Republic for their many expressions of
regard for me. They have honored me with
the title of the Soldiers Friend l trust
may always do all in my power TO deserve so
proud designation"
Admirable speeches were then made by Col.
Willard Bullard, Of New York; Gen. w. +.
Rogers, of Buffalo; Gen. J. b. Murray, of
Seneca Falls; the Rev. S. Nichols, of Bath, and
the Rev. /. NJ Foster, of Waterloo, which We're
received with enthusiasm. At the conclusion
of the ceremonies Gen. Slocum, on the part of
the Board of Trustees, invited the assembled
guests to collation. which was spread in the
library room. On motion of Gen J. B. Murray
the assembled members expressed their most
cordial approval Of the Board of Trustees of
the Soldiers and Sailors Home, and thanks for
the generous reception of their representatives
Mr.. Starin and other guests then made a tour
of the home buildings with Gen. Socum, and
they expressed themselves greatly pleased.