The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-10-21
GEN. JOHN A, LOGAN
Talks to the Boys of U. S. Grant Post,
Chicago.

! The enthusiasm of the veteran soldier was
never more thoroughly aroused than nc the
meeting Of U. 5. Grant Post, No. p. Chicago,
! last week. Ii was a sort OF a general meeting
OF the Grand Army, as hundreds of other COM
rades accepted the invitation 10 be present at
1 the meeting aud participate in the loveteast
which followed. Gen. John A. Logan, a MEM
/ Der Of the Post ex-Gov. Hamilton, also a
member; Gen. VI. NJ Bane, of Quincy, and
other distinguished comrades We're present.
Naturally the boys wanted TO hear from them.
Soon after the Post assembled, Gen. Logan,
accompanied by Gen. Bane entered the hall,
and they were introduced by Comrade East
man. Commander Walcott had hardly
spoken the first word of welcome when the
| Post rose 10 its feet and greeted the distin-
! guished soldiers with most hearty applause.
] After being received by the Commander in an
admirable speech, Gen. Logan was conducted TO
the Commanders right and the work of the
] Order went forward until the Good of the
| Order" was reached.
As Gen. Logan arose TO address the Post the
comrades could control themselves no longer,
and for five minutes round on round Of cheers
| shook the hall. The General began by relating
! couple Of incidents which he thought would
indicate his position as a comrade of Post %
] On the march through South Carolina he had
at his headquarters a soldier named Pat Ryan,
| who had a habit of falling out from the
quarters at frequent intervals, and they never
knew where TO find him. One day they were
searching for him, and finally discovered him
ROASTING A CHICKEN
in the woods "What are you doing here
! Patg" he was asked. Sure an in some way
the division has got lost from me, and Dim
waiting for il TO come up" Another time on
| the march, the General saw Pat in the woods,
| out of ranks, and as Pat was violating duty he
did not wish TO recognize his salute. But Pat
persisted. General" he said, do you see
that tree full of burrds?" YES" Logan re-
replied, they are buzzards." "Divil a bit of
it," said Pat, they're brevet turkeys" The
| General said he did not stay from the Post
waiting for it to come to him, but he felt that
| his position was more of brevet than a full
| comrade owing 10 his necessary absence from
so many meetings.
Laying joking aside, the Grand Army of the
| Republic was an organization in which he took
great pride. However much he might be abb
sent there had never been a time that he had
not advised soldiers TO join this organization
for the benefit of soldiers They needed an
organization where the principles of friend
ship, charity and loyalty found their highest
exemplifcation. Often meeting together
strengthened the cofdial relations which bound
| them together as soldiers and made the tics of
| brotherhood more binding.
| In the history of the world there was never
a government in great distress that could or
ganize such an army at an hours notice. The
people with one voice praised the soldier for
what he had done when he came home victori-
Gus, and cheered and aided him in the field
/ But the world moves on; events crowd upon
one another aud past scenes fade out of men,
DRY. do not say that the people
WOULD ROB THE SOLDIER
Of the laurels he won in that great struggle
against treason but il is natural, IN the rush
/ of things, that they should be occupied
wi rat han ba Nn
! power on earth can change this. IL is an in
born principle and belongs TO humanity, and
cannot be controlled except for time. Though
| time shall cause slight forgetfulness we, with
hands clasped together, have a great work of
| charity 10 do that can never die. Such an or
ganization gives inspiration, many peaceful
moments for reflection. and when we are carried
/ to that bourne from which there is no return
ing there will be left behind a mark for the
country TO remember that such band of de-
Tenders existed. i have not done many great
acts. The humblest soldier that did his duty
| has done as much as l or any could have done;
| but the act i am prOuder of than any other act
of my life is the order that gave TO the Grand
| Army of the Republic when / was its Com
mander, that hereafter on one day of each year
| flowers should be strewn on the graves of the
dead soldiers. do not claim that this was new
idea; II was common practice of old 10 decorate
heroes with laurel aud cover their graves with
the fresh flowers of Spring / had no object
in issuing that order, except this: have al
ways said, and j believe, that the time will
come in this country when tn soldiers work
will not be recollected as when in service, and
70 the children coming after US il will show
that there was a time when the country was
imperiled aud that a grand volunteer army
saved it. Let me repeat what / have said:
The youngest member of this Post has passed
the middle age of life the oldest are quite old
/ IL hon. L.
upon; but 1t stands, and we must face it. But
a few years, and comradc Commander what
will be left of this Post? Not one who
BORE THE BANNER AGAINST TREASON.
Our old commander is gone; our comrades, too,
are passing into eternity. That being so, il
does seem TO me we owe a duty one TO another,
not only friends in fraternal gatherings but
10 help the lowest and humblest, no matter
how low they have fallen. That is their mis-
fortune; but never let one get so low that you
cannot stretch out your arm TO lift him.
The Grand Army is doing a noble work. Let
! each do the work assigned, so that the widow
and orphan may be cared for wherever found
Let the time never come when comrades will
not say: Although / am poor, the years be-
fore me few, life itself soon to pass we will not
fail 10 do this work; and if the Government
| fails in its duty, we will say to the world We
ourselves will attend 10 the wants of these
wards of the Nation while life itself shall last"
In few years all left of this great Order will
be its history, but IL will be history of patriot
ism never before witnessed or felt; an army,
disbanded, voluntarily banding together for
the purpose Of perpetuating the principles it
fought for. Ii will be history of patriotism,
of noble deeds of as noble charities.
am glad TO be with you. Nothing does me
more good than 10 meet the comrades of tho
| GAR. lt gives me new inspiration TO per-
form my duty in this land while i shall live to
| perform it.
Paid $500 for Slandering Candidate.