The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-04-17
MISSOURI ENCAMPMENT.
Department Commander Warmers Address
ROusiHg Campfire.


ROusiHg Campfire.
The third annual Eneampment of the De-
p2rtment of Missouri met at o'clock on the
afternoon Of the 18th inst at Central Turner
Hall, ST. Louis. The hall was appropriately
decorated with flags and bunting, and stacks
OF arms, on which knapsacks were hung
adorned the platform. The I64 G. A. r. Posts
IN the State were represented by III delegates
by actual count There were, besides, nuIner-
Gus visiting members from Kansas and other
States. General Sherman, past commander of
Ransom Post, ST. Louis; Paul Van DerYoort,
Past Chief, and Colonel H. W.
Pond, Of Fort Scott, Department Commander
OF Kansas occupied seats on the platform
After prayer by Comrade c. c. Gardner,
chaplain Of Frank p Blair Post, ST. Louis the
Encampment was opened in due form by
Department Commander Warner, and the
committee on credentials having reported and
the reports OF the various officers having been
referred to the appropriate committees, Com
nlander Warner proceeded TO deliver his adj
dress BE began by contrasting the position
occupied by the soldier at the close Of the war
and that which he occupies nov, and said:
Never did the high priests enter into the most
sacred precincts OF the temple with more devotion
than you. comrades, entered, in 1862 upon your
duties private citizens. Then with one acclaim
the Nation gave voice TO the words of Lincoln:
grateful Government will care for him who shall
have borne the battle, and for his widow and or
phans." Then the store-house of rhetoric was
despoed of its choicest words, that they might be
grouped into eloquent sentences in honor Of your
achievements. Then in grateful recognition of
your services sacrifices, and sufferings' the Com
gress OF the United States, by a solemn enactment
declared that you shall be preferred for aploir,t
nents 10 civil Offices and gave the Nations rec
ommendation for preference TO all the renunera-
tive pursuits and empioyments of civil life.
ms, comrades, was less than two decades of
years ago. The statute still remains but in some
departments Of the Government and portions of
the Nation 1t has no more vitality than the grim
nifg mummy IN the caacombs OF Egypt. 1t is as
Idle a mockery as was the statue OF Liberty in
whose shadow the patriots of France were guilIo-
tined To-day the veteran who . bore the battle
If so unfortunate to be unable by reason Of dis
ease or old age, 10 living, and thus condi-
toned, II ia poverty, even the doors of the Sol
diers' Homes Of the Nation, are, by law, closed
against him-unless he can trace his disability to
his service IN the army. He must be supported by
his comrades. or become the inmate of the county
poor-houSe. and through ltS windows look out
upon the prosperity of that Nation which, but a
lew years ago, said TO him, when strong of body
and brave OF splst. imhued with heroism that
was patriotic and with p patriotism that was
heroic. Fear not a grateful Government will
care for him who shall have borne the battle -
Then the Nation with depleted Treasury, was
profuse in as promises 10 the returning veterans
who nad stricken the shackles from the limbs OF
four millions Of human beings, having made human
liberty commensurate with aud inseparabe from
every inch Of American soil To-day the Nation
with millions of surplus revenue IN its Treasury
must not suffer one of the least of these its
sibie-to starye or become the common object of
charity.
General Warner then referred to the steps
that had been taken to secure the establish
ment OF Soldiers Home beyond the Missis-
sippi, spoke at length concerning the duties of
comradeship, and in regard to the growth of
the Department said:
Two years ago. the 22d Of this month our Derart-
ment was organized with ten Posts and a member
snip Of a9S For months il seemed 10 be struggle
Tor existenee-a Eight TO dispel prejudice as 10 its
oDet1s and purposes, many as5ociating il with the
1hion League ana earlier organization of the
Grand Army of the Republic in this State which
stranded upon the teInpestuous shores of politics
10 oispel these false notions directed our aite-
ton. How well we have succeeded it is for Won
comrades, to decide. i come now TO turn over to
my successor Department having l60 Posts with
q membership IN round numbers of 1000; and,
comrades. we just entering upon the threshold
OF our prosperity as an organization in the great
state Of Missouri j ask comrades that which
feel assured you viii most cheerfully give that
nay successor receives the same cordial support
and cooperation fbat has at all times been given
me. with your earnest assistance he will report
at the next Eneampment 300 Posts, with mem
bership Of 1900.
Commander Warner then called attention TO
the fact that to the constant earnest and inteli-
gent work of Assistant Adjutant- General Pease
and Department Inspector Stawitz," the growth
and prosperity-of the Department were largely
due, and closed by exhOrting the comrades to
SlANAfrAhS AAc hHItc virtues OF FRATERNITY,
Charity and Loyalty. Let" said he. "onr
manned and destitute comrades the widows
and orphans Of those who went out. but did
mol return, hear our cheers for the dead and
( feel our charity for the liy;ag: a charity that
IS not spent in mere wo - words that are
the children Of the wind but a charity Of
deeds that seeks out the deserving poor, warns
1 the colo, clothes the naked and feeds the hun
/ CRY deeds that are the daughters of the soul
! Charity envieth not, and is kind. She wbis-
pers in the ear 10 err is human, to forgive di-
! vine"
The Encampment then adjourned until
Saturday morning. In the evening a grand
Campfire was held at Turn Hall. under
the auspices of Frank 7. Blair Post. preceded
by parade through the principal streets. All
the hall banquet was served, to which more
than 900 persons sat down. Gen Sherman pre-
sided, and toasts were proposed and responded
to as follows: The Union Volunteer. by Col
Murphy; The Grand Army of the Republic !,
| by Past Commander-in-chief Paul Van Der
WORT; The Army and Navy by Gen. S. w.
bowman; Oar Country and Our Flag by
Col. ID. y. Dyer, and THE Memory of Those
Who Never Return was drunk standing, fol-
lowed by dirge from the band.
at the conclusion of the toasts Commander
Warner was called upon by the chairman, and
responded in few spirited remarks. and after
medley OF more songs and brief speeches the
Campfire closed al a late boar in the night.