Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-08-29
HEROES IN CAMP.
Chief Warner Delivers a Ringing Address.
Service Rendered the State az Valuable
a. Money Leaned It.

4
ment continues and the crowds in town to-
day are fully as great as those of yesterday
which was the day of the parade.
The annual meeting of the veterans was
| held this forenoon and all the delegates were
present to listen TO the address of the com.
mander- in chief.
In his address Commander-in-C Chief War
ner said:
"The position of the commander -in-chief #
| of this Grand Army of the Republic is one
than which none is more honorable, and if
at the end of his term he has been enabled
to place in the hands of his successor the
banner of the order illuminated with the
three great virtues, fraternity, charity, 10y
atty, his highest ambition will have been
granted"
After euogizing the Grand Army at
length Commander Warner said the gro with
of the organization has been steady and
healthy, but strong as it is, it never has been
used for partisan purposes or to gratifv per-
sonal ambitions. The net gain in member
ship during the year in good standing is 2l,-
43l. The commander commends the prac-
tice of presenting, on the 22d of February,
the American flag to the public schools so
that the eight million boys and girls in the
elementary schools may be thus imbued with
patriotic reverence for the flag and all it
represents.
Referring to pensions Commander Warner
said it would greatly strengthen the hands Of
the friends of the Grand Army in Congress
if the encampment would demand the same
pension legislation asked for at the last en-
campmeut at Columbus. This action was
the result of compromise and was wise.
just and CO. servative. Continuing he said;
''If we are true to ourselves, before the
next encsmpment the name of every com.
rsde disabled by age, sickness or accident,
and of the widows and orphans of veterans,
will be borne on the pension roll. The day
is not far distant when an honorable dis
charge from the Union army or navy shall
be all the evidence necessary to secure
pension to its holders. "A pension given as
reward for service to the state is surely as
good ground of property as any security for
money advanced to the state said the English
statesman Burke. Let those who inveigh
against pensions remember ii Was the boy,
in blue who, by trials, sufferipgs aud death,
bequeath to them the legacy of liberty and
union, insuring to them and their children
the blessings of the free institutions under
which they enjoy greater prosperity. larger
liberty, higher civilization and purer Chris
tianity than was ever before enjoyed by
people. We who gave the best years of our
lives to our country will present our claims
to Congress and, in doing So will not ap-
roach those in authority with bated breath
and whispering humbleness, but as free men
we will demand, asking only that which 10
just. We would rather have the nation help
our comrades living than erect monuments
to them dead MY countrymen,' said an
illustrous comrade, this is no time to use
an apothecary's scales to measure the re-
wards of the men who served the country.
The spirit of these noble words should govern
the legislative and executive branches of the
government that the performance of the
ration may be equal to her promise.''
Commander Warner was received with
great applause and he was constantly cheered
throughout his speech, particularly in that
part relating to pensions.
The convention of the National Depart
ment of the Women's Relief corps was held
today. The session was opened by the presi-
dent. Mrs. Charity Rusk Craig. The speak
ers were Gov. Hoard, Mayor Brown, Rev.
Myron Reed of Denver, Miss Clara Barton,
Mrs. Mary Logan The presidents re-
port shows that the dc partments and detached
corps expended in relief s54.479.
Regimental Reunions.
About 200 regimentsl reunions were held
this afternoon. About % 900 people gath
cred at the national soldiers home for dis
abled veterans where the men passed in re-
view before Gen Sherman and party. Gen.
Sherman was received with immense entb Il
siam and made speech which he says is the
last he will ever make. Ex Pension Com
missioner Black, Secretary of Agriculture
Rusk made brief remarks
The annual reunion of the veteran sigsal
corps was held today and elected J. B. Fora
ker, Ohio. president; James RI. Kelley, Al
bany. n T.. Louis X. For,escue. Pbilsdci-
phia, J. r. Fitch, Evsnston, HIS, vice pre.i-
dents; Capt. Charles Marcy. Boston, seere-
tary; Eli K. Dovler, Pittsburg quartermas-
ter; Prof. J. Willard Brown, Cambridge.
historian. Boston was chosen as the next