The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1889-09-06
WARMERS ADDRESS
He Delivers His Last Speech as
Commander-in-Chief Of
the G. A. R.
He Commends the Practice ofpre-
senting Schools With
American Flags,
The Committee on Pensions Have
Been Unable to Secure Favorable
Recognition by Congress of
Pension Bills.
A tSsii K;a,o,s.,x,e,d K;,,.j :, Aaar.s.


A tvsii Received Address.
MILWAUKEE, Aug. 30.-The address
Of Commander-in-Chief Warner to the
veterans was we'll received. The com
mander said:
Comrahes and Shipmates: an, here to
give An account of my stewnf1iship/ The
| greatest honor ever conferred upon me was
| @y election as commander in chief of the
| a. X: In taking the obligation of the
ofhce fully realized the Importance of the
trust you had confided to me, and then
highly resolved, neither by word nor act,
70 do anything that should drive a deserv-
Ing comrade from our ranks, and to do all
| that in me lay to strengthen the silver
cords of comradeship that l trust shall
| ever bind tho surviving soldiers and sailors
OF the union army and navy, one to another,
as brothers tried. If at the end of my term
am enabled to place in the hands of my
successor the banner of our order illumi-
mated with the three great virtues-fra-
ternaity, charity and Loyalty my highest
'Fhe position Of commander-in-chief
|. Ahouid be in the future as it has been in the
| past Position than which none is more
honorable; a position to aspire to, which
/, is a iaudahle ambition; position that will
lend-additionel luster to any name, how
1
formed"
Commander Warner referred briefly to
| the reports Of his staff officers; the decis-
ions of the judge advocate-general, the
completion of q history of the q. A. r., the
census of soldiers and sailors, end then
took up the subject of the dag and the the
public schools. He sa!d
II commend to each department the
patriotic practice of the posts in the de-
Rartments Of New York, of presenting on
February %, the birthday of the father of
his country, the American flag to such
public schools as are not yet in possession
of one. Let the children receive the stars
and stripes from the men who placed
their bodies as living wall be-
tween it and those who would tear
1t down. The future citizens of the re-
public are being educated in the public
schools; the flag of their country should
Sver be before them as an object lesson
From its stars and stripes let them learn the
story of liberty as exemplified in the lives
of Washington, Lincoln, Grant and the
patriotic sons Of the republic, who, by
their valor, suffering and death, rendered
the imperishable fame of this illustrious
trio possible.
LET them learn to look upon the Ameri-
can flag, by angels hands to valor given,
with as much reverence as did the Israel
ties look upon the ark of the covenant Let
the 8, QUO of boys and girls in our ele-
mentary schools be thus imbued with a
reverence for the flag and all it represents.
Then the future of the republic is assured,
and that flag shall forever wave 'o'er the
land of the free and the home of the
brave.'"
The matter of pensions was reserved by
the commander for the conclusion of his
address, Preceding this he alluded grace
fully to topics connected with the Grant
cottage ut Mt. McGregor, Memorial day
observances, deaths in the organization,
nho =, ~
and military telegraphers.
The conclusion of the address was as fol
lows: The committee on pensions have
been unable to make any progress in secur-
ing favorable consideration by congress of
the pension bills recommended by the
Columbus encampment. The reason for
this failure will be given by the committee,
and know that its members are in no way
to blame. The question of pension legisla-
tion will come before you again for discus
sion and recommendation. The number
of comrades entitled to seats in
largest representation ever accred-
tied to an encampment. Being
deliberative body SO large, its members
coming from all parts of the union, repre-
sentiong all shades of opinion, it is but
natural That all will not agree in the discus
sion, but when the discussion has closed
and the encampment has acted, its action
should receive the earnest support of every
comrade. Without mutual concessions
there would be no legislation. The voice of
the encampment represents the bes.
thought and judgment of the majority, and
should become law unto the minority
The Grand Army of the republic has never
exercised its influence in pension legislation
because of division in it's ranks. The meas
ures recommended by the national encamp,
ment should not be antagonized by conflict
ing measures urged by departments or
posts. Unity of action will secure salts
factory results; divided council will con
tribute to defeat Our demands should
be reasonable and consistent. The last
encampment, after much discussion,
by practically unanimous vote, recon-
mended to congress service pension bill,
and what is known as the disability pen
sion bill, the latter having received the re-
peated approval of previous encampments.
This action was the result Of compromise
and, in my Judgment was as wise as it was
just and conservative. My experience in
congress leads me to believe that you will
greatly strengthen the hands of our friends
in that body by demanding at Milwaukee
the pension resolution asked for at Colum-
bus. Let the committee on pensions take
your recommendations to congress, backed
by a united G. A. r., and there will be no
failure. If we are true to ourselves, be
fore the next encampment every comrude
disabled by age, sickness or accident, and
the widows and orphans of veterans, will
be borne on the pension roll. We should
neither give sleep to our eyes nor slumber
to our eyelids until justice is done our com
rades.
ssrhe service nension will come rh.
day is not far distant when an honorable
discharge from the union army or navy
shall be all the evidence required to secure
pension to its holder