The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-04-05
MISSOURI.

pdfbtleIG ObIuEldUtlEf lilIdtt1 W dElGT JftStu-
ing Sixty three Posts were represented by
delegates, and following the report of the COM
mittee on credentials and its acceptance E. NJ.
Posegate Mayor of st. Joseph, and a ComFade
of the G. A. r. on behalf the city and the mem
bers of Custer Post, No. 7, welcomed the En-
eampment to the hospitality of the city in an
address full of wit and humOr, calling forth
applause and laughter. Paul Van DervoOrt,
Commander-in-C Chief of the Grand Army of the
Republic, being present was introduced, and
replying to the address of the Mayor, said he
was not surprised to find an old soldier Mayor.
He found that to be the case In nearly all the
cities he had visited. Laughter. He re-
called the first Encampment of this Depart
ment at Kansas City with only nine Posts, and
compared it with the present, sixty-six, with
his " donation" of six from the State of Kansas,
making seventy-tWo. He continued in his
usual happy vein, full of enthusiasm in the
work of the Order, commended the Department
of Missouri, predicting that no Department
would show better condition and rate of in
crease than this. His address was greeted with
great applause.
Major William Warner, Department Com
mander, then deliver the following:
COMRADES NO other words in our language
press so much o. mans duty to his fellow. his eoun-
try and his God those which our Order rests:
" Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty"
At this the second annual Encampment of our
Order in Missouri, we may justly exchange con-
gratulations for magnificent growth in the year
that has passed and the rich harvest that is in store
for US in the near future.
When the charter was granted a year ago, ere
ating Missouri into Department of the Grand
Army of the Republic, there were but nine Posts,
with aggregate membership of 596-there being
but four Posts outside OF st. Louis and Kansas
City.
June 80, 1882, we reported fourteen Posts, with a
This, confess, was poor showing for the great
State OF Missouri. During the three months OF
April May and June, spared no effort to organize
new Posts, and induce old soldiers and sailors to
unite themselves with US. There seemed to be a
feeling that the organization was, in some way,
political III its tendencies Circulars were distributed
throughout our borders, wherein set forth, in
brief, the grand principles upon which our Order
rests; that while It Is true that propose to stand
by those who stood by US i'll the supreme hour of
our countrys danger, yet no question of political
or seetarian character could enter Post ofthe Grand
Army of the Republic; that while we maintain
now as IN the past that loyalty Is virtue to be
cherished and treason crime TO be abhorred, yet
brave and true citizens, in spirit of SOL
dierly fraternity and charity, we clasp hands with
those who wore the grey across the grave of the
buried rebellion; that while cherish the MEM
cries of the past il is not that these memories may
be an element of discord but on the contrary, that
they may be : an ever living influence for good IN
our hearts
Where the principles of fraternity and loyalty
do most abound, there also will most abound
charity for ali and malice toward none.n We
were right, they were wrong. Now, are all
citizens of reunited country, having common
exchanged for the first violet of the leafiess spring
of peace.
In thus spreading the principles of our Order we
were rewarded. September 30, 1882, we had upon
our roster thirty-four Posts, with membership
in good standing of ], 33f To-day we have sixty
six Posts, numbering in their ranks fully 2, 400 old
soldiers and sailors-a growth. comrades of which
we may feel justly proud. Yet the good work has
but commenced. We have but just thrown out
the skirmish line. Let US now rally the army of
old veterans throughout the length and breadth of
our State, so that at the coming National Encamp-
ment at the foot of the Rocky Mountains in the
Centennial State. Missouri may make showing
second to none. That this result can be accom-
plished / know that it may be accomplished /
hope, that it shall be accomplished only requires
the united effort of every corade. That it should
not be accomplished would be n shame. Make
your Post meetings attractive. Send out your re-
cruiting officers. Let every old soldier and sailor
In Missouri show that IN the Grand Army of the
Republic there are generals or pTlvates, no dis
tInction OF race, but all are comrades; that no
question of political or sectarian character can
enter the Post and Missouri will lead the in
increase and membership at Denver.
While the increase has been great, il has only
kept pace with that throughout the Nation. At the
National Eneampment at Baltimore we numbered
but 10000; now there at least leo Oo0 members
of the Grand Army of the Republic in the Union,
and yet there are hundreds of thousands of old vet
Grams not in our ranks. We have upon our rolls ali
grades of citizens from the President of the United
States to the humbest veteran in the land. 1t is
to-day the most powerful civic organization in the
Union. Therefore the necessity that each comrade
should be guard to see that the organization is
not used for any improper purpose, and that no
deserving comrade, or those that are near and
dear TO him. be turned empty handed away from
the door of the Post.
Let me enioin upon YOU the sacred duty of pay
ing the last tokens of love and respect to
rades, as the grim mastering officer Death, shall
muster them from time TO eternity. As you drop
the tear of sympathy upon the new-rnade grave, do
not forget If their necessity require TO drop your
mite into the hands OF the widow and orphan. At
the open grave let US, with averted faces, gently
throw the mantle OF charity over the faults OF the
brave defender of the Republic, and kindly call to
mind his virtues and heroic acts Let us show to
the world that we are comrades not only in name
but in act and deed that while the principle of 10y
atty gave birth TO the Grand Army of the Republic,
it fiourishes and grows in the atmosphere of fra
ternlty and charity.
in conclusion, permit me TO RETURN my thanks to
the comrades throughout TIE Department for their
uniformly kind and eonsiderate treatment. There
are many comrades deserving of special mention
for their earnest and efficient work.
Comrades, wish to return your thanks and mine
to the Assistant AdjutanlGene Comrade Pease,
for the services he has rendered the Order. To him
more than any man III the state indebted
for our present prosperity. trust you will see
that he is, i'll part rewarded for the time he has de-
voted to the Order.
Comrades, let MS so live that when we shall have
passed that shadowy aud invisible line separating
time and eternity, those we leave behind may
citizen and brave defender of the Republic.
The address was received with tremendous
applause. The election of officers resulted as
follows: William Warner, Kansas City, De-
partment Commander; j. ). Sterritt, of st.
Joseph, S. VIC; w. T. Chamberlain, Hannibal.
j. V. c.; DIR. G. w. Fitzpatrick, NJ. D.; II, C.
Weaver, Chaplain. Council of Administration
Comrades II. l.. Tillotson, Nevada; F. NJ Pose
gate st. Joseph; Irwin. st. Joseph t. p.
Rogers and ID. P. Dobyns. Delegates to the
National Encampment tAt LARGE: Comrades
David Murphy, st. Louis; T. c. Brock, Brook
field; Charles Emery, Lamar and o. c. Hill.
Oregon. Alternates Cat Large: Comrades
Nelson Cole, st. Louis; J. W. Morgan Ora
ham; ]. II. Fink, Kansas City; W. W. S.
Snoddy, Sedalia. st. Louis. Hannibal and Sc
dalia, being voted upon as places for the next
annual Encampmeut the latter received the
majority of the votes aud Sedalia was an
nouneed as the place for the next session, a
large and vigorous Post having been recently
organized there The oificers-elect were in
stalled in their respective offices by Paul Van
Dervoort, COMMUNICATIVE Chief, closing the
business session. In the evening banquet
was served st the Saunders House. About 200
sat down TO table. After the cloth had been
removed the following tOasts Were offered
The Grad Army of the Republic" responded
to by Cemmander-in-Chief Van Deryoort
"Our Country and IT'S Flag" responded to by
Comrade o. G. Ill., Commander of Post No %
"Our Army ard Navy" response by j. C..
Walk .nshaw, Past Department Commander OF