The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-11
G. A. R. POST 1919.
Dedication and Campfire at North Nan.
chester-Speech by the Rev. ira ]. Chase.

Speciai to the Indianapolis journal.
NORTH MANCHESTER, Nov. 10.-On Tuesday
evening of this week occurred the dedication OF
the new G.. A. r. Hall, recently built by the or
der of this city. The hall was decorated with
flags. festooning and pictures, and altogether APP
peared very neat, attractive and appropriate.
Upon the wall immediately back of the stage
was framed emblem representing the three
cardinal principles of the order-fraternity,
charity, loyalty. Loyalty is represented by a
hero carrying shells; charity, by member OF
the order bearing aims to widows and orphans.
and fraternity by a comrade of superior rank
contributing co the needs of wounded private
position being removed and brotherly love
controlling their generosity. At one side or this
emblem was the G.. A. r. charter, and on the
other that of the w. r c., and at the right
and left OF these were the pictures OF Washing
ton and Lincoln. Elsewhere on the stage hung
the charter of the Sons of Veterans A little in
front and above the stage was suspended the
picture Of General Grant, and about that were
the letters &c. A. r" and the significant figures,
'1S6l-1865." On one side of this were to be
seen the beautifully arranged letters. rs. of W.
and on the other were 'W, R. c." Suspended
upon the stage table-spread was lovely surface
bouquet of white chrysanthemums, in which
were set in RED flowers the letters,
&C. A. r." This piece of art was
OF her former and fallen husband.
On the east wall near the stage stood the beauti-
full banner of the W. R. c.. and little removed
from that were the picture of our last msrtyred
President and motto bearing the words, North
Manchester Ever Welcomes the Defenders of
the Union" Further in the rear were to be seen
the pictures of Generals Grant and Sheridan.
From the upper support OF the folding partition,
near the center of the hall, was SUSPENDED pict-
ure depicting the relative conditions Of war
scenes-North and Southland bearing the mot
to, sLet Us Forgive, But Not Forget" Else
where were placed scenes reminding the patriot
of Sherman's march to the sea. of the battles Of
Gettysburg and Shiloh, Of Washington's tri-
umph at Trenton and his crossing the Della
ware of the signing of the Declaration
of independence, of the fall of Richmond, and
last but not least, the scene of Camp Burgess
Bowling Green, KY. camp of the SEVENTEEN In
diana Volunteers, with Col. Ben Harrison in
command. The hall was a thing of exquisite
beauty.
The dedication exercises were begun at 7:30
with music by Prof Thomas's orchestra, and in
vocation by Rev. Ryker. Following these was
the song and chorus, "Tentng on the Old Camp
Grounds" the solo being sung by Miss Hattie
Echholtz with grace such as always character
ICES her effortc. At the close of this. Comrade
Sexton introduced our felow-townsman. Hon.
A. G. Mills, who delivered the address of well
come He welcomed visiting friends and
comrades to the new hall, and eulogized
Il as the pride of the city
back trophies more glorious than any carried by
those of Greece and Rome-they brought back
country whose pride and endurance they aug
mented; they brought back the flag and not a
star was lost In thanking the Giver of all Good
the soldier should not be forgotten. He babe all
to be thrice welcome The response was made
by Comrade Anderson. of Huntington. That
gentleman, after paying high compliments to the
local post for erecting so fine hall, dwelt upon
the tenets Of the order. and stated that the G.
A. r., in the way of charity, has expended ST.,
176,688 60 to the relief of the widows and
phans of the soldiers. The loyalty of the fra
ternity is strong enough to incite its brotherhood
to reach out after low and debauched comrades,
entreat them to turn from error, and direct them
toward such purity as will make them approved
of God. In accepting the welcome, he wished
that when comrades fall in line the ever
green shore, before that sanity orderly they
might be prepared to receive that welcome
plaudit, well done, thou good and faithful
servant; enter thou into the joys of thy Lord"
After music by the orchestra, S. V. Hopkins
introduced as the orator of the occasion the
chaplain of the G. A. r. of Indiana. Rev. Ira j.
Chase. The gentleman said that he had looked
forward to this event with great satisfaction,
and that he was agreeably surprised. There is
no better hall in the State outside of Indianapo
lis. He eulogized Indiana and its 10y
atty in sending in defense of the
Union eight such armies as the
nation now sustains Husbands and brothers
shouldered their muskets, and the bones of
many of them are bleaching in the soil they
fought to free We look about US at the modern
improvement which the toll of the soldier has
made possible, and one is made to feel like weep
ing There is honor for the soldier! Next to
the religion of Jesus Christ, have always tried
to ingraft honor and reverence for the soldier.
He made hard political strike at the govern
ments giving the bondholders two and half
times his original investment in gold, and
neelecting the soldier in his loss of salary The
soldier has lost his health, but he don't ask the
government to do so much for him
as it has done for the bondholders
Then he dwelt on the pension question,
and observed that it pretty hard that SOL
diers must rear their own monuments. This he
used as an introduction to raising the deficit OF
5000 on the hall. which amount he raised with
ease, and kept up his good reputation as being
an expert in ahat business After the desired
amount of personal donations were given in,
collection was taken amounting to $40. CO. The
financial part of the programme being closed,
the audience Joined in singing Marching
Through Georgia" which was followed by the
dedication ceremonies by members of the local
post. John Browns Body Lies Moldering in
the Tomb" was then sung, and the benediction
was pronounced by Rev. Greenmsn.
This evening the campfire exercises are in
progress. The attendance is as large as the
capacity of the hall will admit, only those being
admitted who members of the order and in
vlted guests, owing to lack of room. Speeches
were made by many of those present. and your
correspondent regrets being unable to get tele-
graphic service here at night to transmit a report
been a great success, beyond expectation, and
the post and the city now possess hall of
which they are Justly proud.
A Mugwump Reply to the Sentinels Charges.
Springfield Republican.
The Republicans lin Indiana have not won
their fight on national issues at all, but State