The National tribune., 1889-05-02
STATE REUNIONS.
what KANSAS is Doing in thIs direction.


EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: The Legis-
Iature of the State Of Kansas at the session Just
closed made an appropriation of $36, 000 avaia-
BILE at the rate of $4,000 a year for two years,
for the purpose of aiding in the Improvement
of the Reunion grounds of the GAR. of Kan
sas, at Ellsworth. As this marks new depart
urc in the history of the GAR, short sketch
of the movement and its objects may be of in
terest TO the boys who wore the blue.
The State of Kansas is pre-eminently the
Soldier State, made so by the great numbers of
soldiers who located here just after the war.
The GAR is a strong organization. Annual
Reunions of the Union soldiers have been held
for years, aud have always been largely at
tended In fact, the annual Reunion is the
State event of the year. Two years ago, at the
annual EnCampment at Abilene, the question
was raised Of the pTopriety of locating the Re-
unions at a permanent place on grounds be-
longing to the GAR. A committee was ap-
pointed to view the different locations which
might be offered aud report at the next En-
campment, which was held last March at Win
field, Cowley County. At this Encampment the
committee recommended the selection Of 160
acres of land offered by the city of Ellsworth,
Ellsworth County. The land adjoins the city.
EIsworth's offer was accepted and the land
decided to the G. AR. The grounds lie beauti-
fully, are susceptible of the highest adornment,
and will be made as beautiful as art, nature
aud loving care can make them.
There are those who without thought,
speak contemptuously of the veterans of the
war. Let me put these Reunions of our old
soldiers upon a ground which every thoughtful
man can understand and approve. The highest
attribute of Government is the making of good
citizens. To this end the State aids the COM
mon schools, it builds universities, and erects
monuments to the heroic dead The annual
Reunions of the soldiers of the Union is an OBJ
jeet lesson to our youth of vastly more impor-
lance than historical paintings, statues of the
illustrious sons of the Republic or the monu-
mental marble. Loyalty aud patriotism must
keep step with the other educational advances
of the Republic The Nation and the several
States encourage the militia and volunteer COM
panies of soldiers for the avowed purpose of
stimulating the martial spirit of the people as
as a sheet anchor in times of danger A people
may be martial in their character, butunless that
spirit is imbued with the living fire of patriot
ism, standing army will be needed; but no
nodding plumes, no martial music, no gaudy
uniforms, none of the vanities of mimic war
can take the place in nations life that the
simple pure patriotism taught by the soldiers
of the Union by their service in the late war
does.
The Reunions of the living preservers of the
Republic is the life current itself A thousand
voices of the actual soldiers singing in chorus
the songs of the Republic, is more effective in
stimulating patriotism than volumes of history.
With permanent Reunion grounds, when the
last old soldier has been mustered out, around
the campfire will gather the Sons of Veterans
and the heroes of coming wars, if there be any,
and the glorious work of the boys of 186I-65
will never be forgotten.
Let other States follow the example of Kan
sas and locate permanent Reunion grounds.
Every dollar of invested capital, everything we
own or hold dear, rests upon, as its ultimate
security, the patriotism and loyalty of the
people
There is another idea in connection with
these Reunion grounds. It is in contemplation
in the near future to erect many cottages here,
each with its bit of garden, by voluntary con-
tributions from those of our comrades who,
blessed with wealth, desire to do something
substantial for those comrades who have not
Jared so well in this worlds goods, but who did
their duty in the war. These cottages will be
occupied by deserving old soldiers with their
families, who may need some assistance, to whom
the barracks of Soldiers Home simply give
shelter but no home. 1t is cruel to part de-
serving old hero from his family during his de-
Ginning years.
To those who say, "Well, what will you do with
those cottages when the last soldier of the late
war has crossed the riyer?" l say that they
will remain as permanent homes for those who
deserve national recognition. We may have
other wars In conclusion if have suggested
even the duty of the Republic in the line of its
own preservation, I am satisfied.
Torpedoes, Dynamite ;ronelads and great
guns may be, and are, i:sefui. They are the
only protection of absolute monarchies. The
Republics strength and power and safety lies in
the patriotic hearts of its citizen soldiery.
Those who are rendered less capable by reason
of service to the Republic should be the honor
~ Il
121st n. Y, Ellsworth Kan.