Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1888-03-08
G.. A. r.

The following extracts from the ad-
dress delivered by Dept. Commander
Seward at the opening Of the 7th Annual
EncAmpment Of the Department of Kan.
sas will be read with interest, not only
by the members of the G.. A. R., but by
all patriotic citizen.
"Our organization is one of the wisest,
safest, most fraternal, charitable and
loyal associations eyer banded together
in this or any other country on the globe
Its fraternity was from when weleft our
homes, and with uplifted hands swore
that We would bear true faith and allie
glance to the United States of America,
and defend..her against all her enemies;
and grew into the broadcast comprehen-
sion of brotherhood while maintaining
the unity of our country and the univer.
sal liberty of man. Our charity had its
primary lessons when rations were short,
and paymssters scarce. In camp. on
march or in battle, do unto your com,
rade as you would have your comrade do
do unto you, was the brave and gallant
soldiers rule. We divided our rations
ana money in camp, carried one an.
others knapsacks on the march. and
stood wall of living fire around the old
nag, closing up as we melted away, until
those left are so firmly bound by ties
welded topether in the fire of battle that
our love reaches out and seeks to relieve
every comrade or:comrade's familYawho
needs helping hand. Our loyalty, tried
in its'frst hours by severing ofFthe
ties which bound US to home and its
loved ones, tried in the tortures of the
prison pen, tried by Pap Thomas d,
Chickamauga, tried by Hooker at Look
out Mountain, tried by Sheridan in the
Shenandoah, tried by Logan, tried by
Sherman and put to every testEa coun-
try in the throes of revolution could de-
mano OF ratriot; by our great COM
msnoer Grant; was approved by them
oil, and as we msrchedrdown Pennsyl-
7ania avenue with country saved and
every slave freeman, our leaders ap- |
proval OF our layalty was applauded by
Abraham Lincoln while he stood with
uncovered head. Into our ranks no man
ON whom stainf of treason rests can
come. 1t is high honor to be member
OF the Grand Army of the !Republic."
There are lat W. R. Corps in the State,
with an aggregate member ship of over
5000. They have expended this year for
relief and turned over to posts S5.941.51.
They have assisted 800 members of posts
and their families, and 773 soldiers and
their families not members of Posts, dur
ing the year. There are eighty two
camps of Sons'of Veterans with a MEM
oership' of2. 900. -CIn.,th soldiers home
here are 1895 veterans; $50 of whom are
'esidents Of Kansas. The total member.
hip of the organization in Kansas Is 90.
ri.
Speaking Of the work of the different
'osts, Commander Seward said; Il de-
ire to especially mention Lewis Post at
Dodge City. They have purchased sew.
raj acres of ground for a cemetery in
'hich to bury soldiers and their families,
ave laid out.the center in the form Of q
Frand Army Star, with graveled walks,
nd are raising fund to erect a hand
ome monument in the center of the star.
his will be beautiful exemplincationF
Fraternity and Charity, after the
ames of those noble comrades are in.
ribbed on our roll of honor"