The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-10-28

moments but was Ia most excellent taste and
20 the point. He appeared by invitation in the
official capacity Commander of the GAR
the grandest organization that the world ever
saw. He was glad 10 be present upon such an
auspicious occasion, and was here 20 say TO the
people of Illinois and TO their Legislature, that
the 355, 900 members Of the GAR organization
tender their thanks 10 the great State of llli-
nois that decided upon the establishment of a
proper home for its old soldiers. The GAR.
will never rest until throughout the entire
land there have been established Homes for the
needy but deserving patriots and the comrades
have taken an oath that by the help of Almighty
God no old soldier shall ever be found in a
County poorhouse. The Nations defenders the
country's preservers, in the days Of their mis-
fortune they deserve and their comrades have
a right 30 demand for them the care and pro-
lection OF a grateful people.
THE APPEARANCE OF GEN. LOGAN
was the signal for a storm of applause from the
entire audience. At its conclusion the General
advanced TO the front and spoke for about 20
minutes in an eloquent and earnest strain. he
paid a feeling tribute 20 the inspiration which
prompted the establishment of the Home where
loyal and disabled soldiers could he cared for in
a manner somewhat BETTING their needs and
their necessities To his mind, no loyal man,
no true lover OF his country and IFS institutions,
could for one moment begrudge the little that
goes toward providing for comforts for the old
veterans. Those Soldiers Homes, while pos
sessing nearly all the attractive features which
q grateful people can contribute, are still deh-
cient in many things that 20 toward making a
Home complete. There is the hallowing influence
and society OF woman; Of mother, sister and
wife. There are those associations Of wife and
children which, TO be without, leave great
blank in the lie of any man.
The General related a touching story Of a
visit made 20 the beautiful Soldiers Home at
Washington, where venturing 10 speak TO one
of the men on the apparent comfort and happi-
ness that prevailed everywhere, and of the
every evidence that the old veterans were be-
ing well cared Tor by an appreciatlve country,
the old Sergeant burst into tears and exclaimed:
"Oh, General! but we who have had home,
we who have wife or child, TO us there is some
thing lacking which only their presence can
supply" The speaker aid not presume 10
make more than suggestion on this occasion,
but was not this a good time to stop and think
TO bear in mind the noble women who had
nursed the sick and wounded, whose prayers
had been mingled with their ministering IN
hospital and on the BATTLEFIELD. lllinois-the
great rich, proud, loyal State of lllinols-could
well afford 10 lead in the noble work Of caring
for these good old women in their days of dis
tress and while they are laboring under the
load of many years OF useful, noble work,
might not the future develop the suggestion
into a grand monument 10 a patriotic, devoted
womanhood. Touching on the general propo-
sition of pensions and veterans Homes, he said
that while there should not be in the breast Of
any one a sentiment against them the fact still
remained that there were persons, and men,
too, who were in high position, who disrcgarded
appeals 10 their country's honor and patriotism,
and if they did anything at all for the veterans
il was in begrudging manner. At the con-
cusion of his speech Gen. Logan received three
rousing cheers.
Speeches were also made by Senator Cullom,
Gen. Martin BEEN, Gen. James 5. Martin and
others.