The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1889-06-21
A SUCCESSFUL CAMP FIRE.
WIlkin Post Royalty Enrertains De-
partment Commander Barto and
staff.

comfortably filed the post room. sup
per was served at six O'Clock, and the
army bill of fare was enjoyed by all that
partook of the feast. The fact that the
banquet came first was appreciated. At
eight O'Clock all repaired to the post
room to listen to the literary part OF the
program.
The exercises were opened with song
by quartet, composed Of Messrs.:
Schroeder, Washburn, Williams and
Swan.
Post Commander Davis stated that not
only the department commander but
the senior and junior vice commanders
as we'll as other staff officers, were pres
emit, thing which had never happened
before in the history of the post. He
introduced Ex-Gov. Barto, department.
commander, who said: ;,
He sometimes felt that the objects and
underlying principles of the organiza-
ton were not well enough known, or 1t
would have more of the interest and
sympathy of the community. During
the war the citizens of the North rallied
to the support of the government,
making sacrifices such as few people to-
day can realize. The standing army was
nothing, mere bagatelle, but the intel
ligent citizen soldiery formed the finest
army ever gathered on earth. The Ger
man, the Frenchman, the Russian, al
most born to arms, can never UNDER
stand how our country in short time
of war. Nations that have made war
THAR TRADE cannot understand how
great army can be raised in little whiley
nor the great sacrifices which the people
made to make this possible. This army
is now absorbed among You as citizens,
and as citizens only. These men whe
saved the nation have banded them
selves for the great purposes Of fraterni-
ty, charity and loyalty. It is the great
est charitable institution in the world.
They only demand what they think
they have right to have, and what is
just, right and proper. They merely
ask that the shattered soldiers, who gave
health or limbs for the nation, should be
cared for by the government, and that
the widows and orphans be cared for.
We gather together, and these gather
ings seem to me great schools OF patriot
ism. They educate the growing gener-
alton in the work done by these men.
That little badge of ours will ever be rev.
cred. Almost every soldier did deeds
of herolsm which in old times would
have been patents of knighthood. The
soldiers at the opening of the war were
merely boys and knew nothing Of the
hardships of war, but they did thou
sands of deeds of heroism that will new
er be told.
/ wish to say word for the women's
relief corps. Had it not been for the
good women back Of us we could not
have accomplished that which we did.
In the hospitals and at home they back
ed rs up and kept many of rs from leav-
ing the army. They sent rs out with
their blessing; they maintained our
strength with their sympathy; they
buoyed US up with their prayers. When
we came home almost entire strangers
it was the women who saved the repub-
lie from terrible strain. We found
those whom we left behind and refused
to fight rolling in luxury and wealth,
and filling our former places, but we
stepped out and made new places. Da-
kota, Montana and Washington come in
as tribute to the efforts of that disband-
ed army.
Separately the soldiers can do moth.
ing, but organized they have power, and
they usually obtain what they ask be-
cause they are right. All soldiers are
not perfect, but if any citizen who staid
at home during the war criticises any of
them feel like saying to him it is none
of his business; what right has he to say
anything2
1 would like to see a women's relief
corps organized here in Mankato. They
60 out and pick up many who are over
looked, and care for them.
Speaking of the results of the war, he
said that he believed that the settlement
Of the Alabama claipas w5nId rosr,,
within the lifetime of sLcn ID the eBfaD--
lishment of great court, to which all
nations can take their disputes. The
thousand years.
In reply to question from Comrade
Cannon, the speaker stated that there
was "great cry and little wool" In the
matter of the soldiers home retaining
part of the inmates pensions. The
money matter was little. If the soldier
draws sufficient pension he should not
90 the home, or If he does 60 there the
people should not support HIM, besides
allowing him his pension. He thought
that those in the home have better sur
roundings than most of those outside.
He did not believe that the pensions
were generally high enough. He did
not believe that the soldiers who are
turned away by heartless relatives into
the home should save up something to
lcaV0 10 Ln6ms ne QlQ not D0ll0Vc IL
was policy or principle or good citizen
ship that the soldier should draw q PEN
sion besides being supported. 1t is the
universal custom to retain most of the
pension. The relief fund, of which Gen.
Pope was the author, is more important
than all.
DR.. Jacoby followed with a recitation,
entitled "The Veteran and bis Grand
son." which was effectively rendered.
Tho quartet rendered another song,
Col. Mead taking the place of Mr.. Wash
burn.
Senior Vice Commander Jas. Comp
ton, of Fergus Falls, was next intro
duced, and made plea for the women's
relief corps, and besides this got in q
quantity of pleasantly that was fully APP
preciated by all.
Junior Vice Commander d. d. Park
er, of st. Paul, was introduced and made
some remarks, during which he urged
his comrades to reverence the badge OF
the g. A. R., and could hardly compre-
bend how any old soldier should refuse
to enter the organization. After eulogiz-
| ing the G. A. r. he thanked the post,
the ladies and the citizens of Mankato,
on behalf of himself and comrades, for
their kindness, and extended an invita-
ton to the comrades and families to Wis
it his post at st. Paul.
The exercises closed with the singing
of America, all joining in.
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