Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1883-05-30

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Another successful observance of a
holiday can be scored in HALEY, and
this, without any assistance from out
side towns except the presence of a
few of their residents.
The day opened bright and spring
like, and Main street was alive with
evidences of preparation, at an early
hour. Many stores, the hotels and
public buildings were surmounted with
sold Glory" floating in the breeze at
half mast. About 10 o'clock the
ketchum Brass Band played a rally,
and crowd soon filled Haley Theater
to ITS utmost capacity, and the literary
and musical exercises began.
Major Hyndman, who is believed to
be the senior ex-commissioned officer
ON the river, acted as chairman, and
made few Introductory remarks.
After some music by the band, the
Rev. Mr.. Grove offered prayer.
The Haley Glee Club composed of
Mrs. Ensign, Mrs. Prisk, Mrs. G. NJ.
Parsons, Mrs. Leon Fuld, Miss Wines,
and Messrs. A. Wolters, E. Fisher, E.
r. Leonard, Chris. Yeager, George NJ.
Sawyer, and Rev. Mr.. Pratt then sang
"My Country, IT'S of Thee," with
good effect.
Major Robert McCulloch followed
with an Grafton. Being prevented by
a severe cold from delivering it, Texas
Angel read it for him. 1t was as
follows:
MIR. PRESIDENT, MEMBERS OF THE
GRAND ARMY, LADIES AND GENTLE
MEN:-A little more than twenty-five
years ago shot was fired that was
heard around the world. That shot
was the signal for conflict that
surged for four years, the result of
difference of social and political opin-
ions between the people of the United
States. Happily those differences are
ended, and to-day throughout our
great Republic tranquility and union
are supreme. Federal and Confeder-
ate clasp hands in fraternal embrace.
We are assembled here, my friends,
to commemorate those who fell in de,
Tense of those principles they knew to
be right. BY the establishment of
union of the States, Nation in fact
has been created. The tree of Liberty
has taken deeper root. Let our friends
beyond the seas take fresh courage,
for the eagles o. victory will perch on
their banner.
The noble and patriotic organization
known as the Grand Army of the Re-
public is composed of men who served
IN the Union army or navy, between
April IL, 1861, and April 8, 1865, and
were honorably discharged. During
the period named, on the Union side
three millions Of men were enlisted. of
whom at least five hundred thousand
lost their lives, and nearly as many
more were MANNED for life or disabled
permanently by disease. On the side
of the Confederates the foregoing
figures are considerably diminished.
From the best sources of information
it would appear that the credit of the
formation of the Grand Army of the
Republic belongs to two Illinois
soldiers, Chaplain William J. Rutledge
and Major B. F. Stephenson, who con
ceived and carried through the idea
to completion. Through the efforts of
Rutledge the first "post" was organ
lied in Springfield in the spring of
1866 at the home and near the tomb
OF Lincoln, whence it spread through
out the entire country. At the time
of the last national encampment, one
year ago, the total membership ex-
ceeded ninety thousand, distributed
among sixteen hundred posts. The
encampment this year will show large
gains. In Idaho there are living many
old soldiers, large part of whom are
members of the Order. Probably
every State in the Union has con
trlbuted warworn veterans-and to
them is largely due the rapid opening
up and settlement of the New West
most of whom were Injured to the tolls
and dangers of camp life, and who
made light of the cruel hardships and
risks which daily attended the DiOneer
of the fronties. Our Confederate
brethren shared in these privations.
l cannot go further without refer
ring to the noble charities of the ladies
during the war. Those of both sides
contributed time, money, prayers and
tears for the relief and safety Of their
heroes. When works of love and
charity are needed, good women are
always found at the front.
Permit me to say that the Grand
Army of the Republic is not a politi-