Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1889-09-07
He Delivers His Last Speech as
Commander-in-Ch Of
the G. A. R.
Ne Commends the Practice Of Pre-.
senting Schools With
American Flags.
The Committee on Pensions Have
Been Unable TO Secure Favorable
Recognition by Congress OF
Pension Bills.
A Well Received Address.

Of Commander-in-Ch ! Warner TO the
veterans was we'll received. The com
mander said:
Comrades and Shipmates; I am here to
give an account of my stewardship. TIT
greatest honor ever conferred upon me was
my election as commanderin-chief of the
q. A. r. In taking the obligation Of the
office I fully realized the Importance of the
trust you had conided TO me, and then
highly resolved, neither by word nor act,
to do anything that should drive a deserv-
ing comrade from our ranks, and TO 90 all
that in me lay to strengthen the silver
cords of comradeship that I trust shall
ever bind the surviving soldiers and sailors
Of the union army and navy, one TO another,
% brothers tried. II 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
ternity, charity and loyalty-my highest
ambition will have been gratiied.
1.-THE position of chief
should be in the future as IL has been In the
past, q position than which none Is more
honorable; a position 70 aspire to, which
is q laudable ambition; q position that will
lend additional luster TO any name, how
ever great, IL its duties are well per-
formed.n
Commander Warner referred briefly to
the reports Of his staff officers; the decis-
Ions Of the Judge advocate-genersl, the
completion OF a history of the q. A. r., the
census of soldiers and 81 ,lors, and then
took mp the subject of the flag and the
public schools. He said:
II commend TO each department the
patriotic practice Of the posts in the de-
partments 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 a living wall be-
tween it and those who would tear
II down. The future citizens Of the re-
public are being educated in the public
schools; the flag Of their country should
ever 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 im~perishable 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 5000, 900 of boys and girls in our ele-
mentary schools be thus imbued with a
reverence for the flag and all 1t represents.
Then the future of the republic Is assured,
and that flag shall forever wave DER 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 at Mt. McGregor, Memorial day
ob~servances, deaths in the organization,
' charity, the w. x. C., Sons of Veterans,
and military te~iegraphers.
The conclusion of the address was as fol-
lows: 1.-THE committee on pensions have
been unabi 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 l know that its members are in no way
to blame, The question of pension legisla-
ton will come before you again for discus
sion and recommendation. The number
Of comrades entitled TO seats in
this e-ncampment reaches LOCO, the
largest representation ever accred-
tied TO an encampment. Being
o 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
1 Bun, but WHICH huc ulsCussiou mas clOseu
and the e-ncampment 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 best
thought and judgment of the majority, and
should become q law unto the minority.
The Grand Army Of the republic has never
exercised its influence in pension legislation
because of division in its 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; a divided council will con-
he reasonable and consistent. The last
encampment, after discussion,
by Q practically unanimous vote, recon-
mended to congress q 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 IL was
Just and conservative Ny experience In
0cngress lcads me 70 believe that you will
greatly strengthen the hands Of our friends
In that body by demanding at Milwaukee
the pension resolution asked for 1t Colum-
bus. Let the COMMITTEES o pensions take
Sour recommendations to congress, backed
by . united g.. A. r., and there will be NO
failure. IL we are true TO ourselves, be-
fore the next encampment every comrade
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 CON-
rades.
1.-THE service pension will come. The
day is not far distant when an honorable
discharge from the union army or navy
shall be all the evidence required to secure
q pension TO Its holder.
Aid its dswning tongue and PEN;
And its hopes of honest men,
"a pension given as a reward for serv-
Ices to the state 10 surely as good q ground
Of property a. any security for money ad.
vsnced TO the state said the great English
statesman Burke.
.Let the bondholders Of the country re.
member that the men who rendered their
securities valuable, the men who have ever
insisted that they be paid to the uttermosi
farthing, principal and interest, Of the
money advanced by them to the state; let
them remember that these men have claims
upon the state equal ut least to that Of the
bondholder. Let those who inveigh against
pensions remember that II was the boys In
blue who, by the trials, sufferings and
death, bequeathef to them the legacy OF
liberty and anion, insuring to them and
their children the blessings OF free institu.
tons under which they enjoy a creates
prosperity, . larger liberty, a higher civil
II 49, nI-a-xt-- 80 -