Connecticut western news., 1884-07-30
A Memorable Meeting,

Al lNenOFaDAe Meeting. David s. Cowles post had a love-feast last Friday evening at Village Improve ment hall. The speakers were Eddy flying, Pierce-ing and Trimble-ing with patriotism and emotion, and a volunteer speaker from Bridgeport, Palmer-ed off a neat speech and Post Commander Van Deusen, in an ethusiastic address, brought up the rear. Miss Emma W. Trimble of New York sang two fine so- los, and several young ladies and gen temen of Canaan sang a number of sen timental and humorous selections.
 Rev Dr Eddy, in his unique style, in- troduced the several speakers and also frequently put in his oar and kept the audience in the best of humor Rev William G. Pierce of Champaign, H., referred very tenderly to the time he lived ln Canaan, and also mentioned his army experience and waxed eloquent and patriotic as he continued his speech. Mir William J. Trimble of New York ex- plained the object and aim of the G. A. R, and gave sketch of army life. Post Commander Van Deusen prefaced his speech by saying: II am not speaker but his speech did not verify that asser- tion for he soon got warmed up to the work as he described battle We have often been told that he was a brave and model soldier, and we are now convinc- ed he can make speech when occasion requires it.
 We were aware that all were enjoying rare entertainment, ga feast of reason and flow of soul, but did not enquire what was the object of this gathering, and some perhaps did not suspect there was any definite object only to have a good time, campfire or love-feast, but stranger from Bridgeport caught on'' or stumbled to the racket, as the ex- pression is, and in neat speech ''let the cat out of the bag" and revealed the fact that the post would not object to receiving sympathy and substantial SUD- port from the citizens of Canaan.
 Sympathy Is desirable and can be ap- preclated, but if to sympathy you add substantial support 1t then becomes a golden band that binds hearts, hands and purses together. This Is the kind of sympathy we ought to extend to David s. Cowles post. We ought to consider it a privilege to assist this post and should bear in mind that the G. A. R. must decrease in number as the years roll by and comrade after comrade i. laid away in an honored grave. Int next generation or, at farthest, the sec ond generation will not have the privi lege of assisting the G. A. R., for by that time nearly all the patriot soldier. will have gone to their reward
 When we consider the differen churches and Sunday schools that ar, supported in Canaan, the annual contri buttons to foreign and home mission and other religious objects, the amour contributed for village improvement, tn 0. l.. s. O., the Canaan book club, tn singing school and other organization and societies, the amount expende, in attending lectures, readings and oth CT entertainments, in fact when we con sider the ready responses to the variou and continual calls for money, we fin, that the iberality of Canaan people i phenominaA
 When 1t Is suggested that we aid b. yid s. Cowles post our first thought i. we are already contributing to differe1 objects, more than we can afford, bu immediately comes this second though viz: to whom are we indebted for tl preservation of our country's institI tions, the liberty we enjoy and the prir ilege of living in this goodly land of c, naan, with all the advantages of ch1rche schools, literary societies, etc, comfor of home and all else that combine { make life desirable and pleasant |? IT ready answer is this: to the Union so diers.
 Now after enjoying the blessings
 peace and prosperity for 20 years ca we refuse aid to little band of survi ors who periled their lives and endu ed hardships and priyations in our d fense Can we refuse aid to the DO which Is named after Canaans hob and heroic sou, David s. Cowles, WI sacrificed h1s life for his country N we cannot and we will not be so u grateful.
 David s. Cowles post: make 70, wants known and you shall at least Ina, share of the liberal support given ot CT institutions in Canaan.