Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1885-02-26
NORTHERN TRIBUNE.
THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 26. 1885.
g.. A. R.
Commander shank's Farewell.

Commander Shank's FAREWELL
Lansing Republican.
Under the administration of comman-
der Rush j. Shank of this city the Mich
igan department OF the Grand Army of
the Republic during the past year has
made long strides in growth and pros
perity, and the results achieved we'll
rsdsems his pledge made at the last an
nual encaMpment to exert his best Of
forts in the cause OF fraternity, charity,
and loyalty.
Commander Shank has laborsd tire
lessly for the develOpement and success
OF this department, whose posts at the
close OF his administration bear upon
their muster rolls the names of over II,
600 cont AIDES, and its highly satisfactory
condition, and possibilities for the flu
ture under equally valuable and ener-
getie commanders cannot be better il
Illustrated than by the following extracts
from his farewell address made On We'd
Assday before the annual state encamp-
ment now in session at Saginaw.
On Jan. "a, 1884, there were 22l posts
with a membership of 10.735 comrades
in the department During the present
administration "a new posts have been
organized, making total of 294 posts
at this time This gives us a total
membership in good standing of 1886,
while the net gain by the organization
Of new posts and the recruiting
of the old ones is 1861 and
the aggregate gain over 5000. The f.
nancial affairs of the department were
referred to with equal pleasure, and
great credit given to the assistant quar-
termastsr general for his intelligent and
persistent supervision of affairs.
During the year | have visited many
posts in the department, and the only
regret that has marred the pleasure of
these meetings has been the reflection
that lime would not permit my visiting
every post in the department.. In the
performance of these and kindred dates
/ have devoted nearly all of the time
during the warm months, and | have
travelled over seven thousand miles.
Without exception my visits were rsnd-
cred exceedingly pleasant, and will al.
ways gratefully remember the kind and
courteous greeting extended to me on
every hand.
Commander Shank stated that he was
fully convinced that ii G. A. r. ever sue
ceedsd in securing the establishment of
a home for disabled soldiers and sailors
in the state it would be only through an
appropriation by the Michigan Legisla-
ture. He knew that the gentlemen COM
posing the congressional board which
controlled the soldiers homes in the
United States would not favor tho pro-
jeet, and they woud have TO look to the
legislature for the deSlfe ed appropriation.
He urged that the comrades give the
project their thoughtful attention.
The commander believed that the time
had now arrived when the consideration
of permanent headquarters for the state
department seemed to ba in order. AS
the matter now stands the headquarters
are changed frem place to place contin-
tingent upon the residence of the depart
ment commander and many of the best
and ablest comrades were rendered prac-
tically Ineligible to the Office because
they do not live in central locality.
He also paid eloquent tribute to the
Weman's relief corps in the following
language: would DO recreant to nay
convictions, il not to my duty. should /
fail to call your attention to that grand
organization Of noble women who have
banded themselves together in the state
and Nation for the sole purpose of as
sisting she G. A. r. in carrying out its
benign and salutary purposes. The VIC
mans relief corps is confederation Of
loyal women, who would aid you in all
your lawful enterprises These women
are to-day, as women always have been,
the truest and best friends to the loyal
and the brave. No post can attain its
highest possibilities without the aid of
this organization. The newly OrgaRiz.
cd order of Sons Of Veterans was alluded
to in equally pleasant terms.
Several important recommendation
for the failure course of the department
were made by Commander Shank, who
concluded his address with the following
words: Comrades, believe the evidence
is before you to-day that have endeay-
ored to fulfill the pledge gave to you at
the beginning Of my administration. l
shall take my place in the ranks, there
10 continue my efforts for the success Of
the order with deeper and more PIE
found vensration for its noble principles
and teachings. Again l thank you my
comrades, for the honor you have coz
ferred upon ME, and for the kind and
generous support vow have accorded to
my administration.