Evening journal., 1890-02-15
THE YEARS WORK.
Tho Department Commander Discusses
Pensions and other G. A. II. Topics.

The following IS Department Com
mander Peter b. Ayars's annual report
in full.
WILMINGTON, Del, Feb. IA, 1890
To the Officers and Comrades of the Tenth
Annual Encampment Of the Depart
ment Of Delaware
COMRADES Called by the representa-
tives of this department at its ninth an
nual encampment at Wilmington. Della
ware, to the command of this depart
ment, with much timidity and misgiving
lest / should not be able to meet the ex-
pectations of my friends, and come up to
the standard of my illustrious predeces.
sors, every one Of whom it would seem
was specially fitted TO fill the high and
honorable position to which he was chosen
by his comrades, assumed command and
entered upon the discharge of my duties
as Department Commander "To pre-
serve and strengthen those kindred and
fraternal feelings which bind together
soldiers, sailors aud marines, who united
to suppress the late rebellion, and to per-
petuate the memory and history Of the
dead. A fraternity kindled in the bi-
vouac, on the march, in the hospital of
pain, or the prison pen, cemented with
heroism, blood and death, and welded in
the FIRE Of battle.
In charity "To assist such former com.
rades in arms as need help and protection I;
and to extend needful aid to the widows
and orphans Of those who have fallen.
A charity which throws its broad mantle
over the mistakes and foibles Of our late
comrades in arms, and recognizes every
comrade who manfully discharged his
duty, and who, since the war, has not
furnished his fair name, his honorable
record as a soldier, sailor or marine,
without regard to rank, without regard
to command, service or arm of service els
the equal of every other. for no man
could do more than his duty. In loyalty,
TO maintain true allegiance to the United
| States Of America, based upon para.
mount respect for, and fidelity to its con.
stitution and laws, to discountenance
whatever tends to weaken loyalty, excitei
to insurrection, treason or rebellion,
or in any manner impairs the efiicienc,
and permanency of our free institutions
and 10 encourage the spread Of universe
liberty, equal rights and justice to al
men.
found want Of information amonl
those outside Of the Grand Army of TIN
Republic as TO the aims and purposes 0
our organization; that by some we wer
regarded as purely partisan organiza
ton; by others self admiration society
and still by others as a class of hummer
or robbers who wanted 60 flch in way 0
pension" everEsdollar out Of the Unite
States Treasury, we are neither there
/, fore determined to accept every invita-
, ton given at home or abroad, and en-
brace every opportunity" to speak wor
! In favor of the Grand Army Of the Re
: public, its aims and its objects; this
have done, / hope, to the honor an
! credit of the Department OF Dels
ware, wherever / have been called
visited the National Encampmen
: at Milwaukee, Wisconsin at its twenty
! fourth annual session, with other con
rades Of this department, and am salts
+; fed to believe this department was we
! and creditably represented, and by thei
course of conduct, both in and out of tn
encampment, maintained the dignity 0
: the department that had been establishe
in former years.
For the work in this department,
would refer you to the adjutant generl
and quartermaster's reports, nevertheless
am more than proud to say to you, tina
considering her area and material [
recruit from, the Department OF Dela
! ware has more than kept place wit
other and larger departments.
Number reported one year ago. 1lSs
number reported this year. 1915: deaths
~ suspended, 1885, making really gal
of 40 comrades No posts have been 10:
! to the department, while a fine one ha
been established at Middletown, No. q
They have started off undo
3 the most favorable circumstance
g and promises very much, indeed
for the work Of the order in tina
! neighborhood, have visited every pos
2 in the department except 4-this wa
5 unavoidable, first, because Of sickness
2 myself for several weeks at the time f.
I which l had prepared the visit; second
because of change Of my occupation, owe
I which / had no control.
! I congratulate you, my comrades, o
, the long strides made in this state so IA
as legislation Is concerned in the interes
Of the ex-soldier, the three bills passe
by the last Legislature were importar
2 ones and vouch the fact that by an up
4 right course of conduct at home as wei
! as on the field Of battle you have ingrs
= tiated yourselves with the people and Il
q fair request ''has been refused" tn
bills for the protection O. the badge 0
other insignia of the g. A. R. is a goo
4 one and the penalty Of its violation vii
Z deter impostors from practising the
base calling to the detriment Of on
z order, the bills to legalizs Men
orial Day was passed after several yeai
2 trying and stands to-day as a memoirs
4 to the immortal Logan who instituted u
e memorial for the dead The bill for IL
Y burial of each and every INDECENT e,
r soldier who might die within the limi
: Of the State has been proven in ten ease
! and in the days to come will keep mar
of our poor comrades or ex-soldlers fro
/ lying in ''Potters field" and filling nam'
= less graves.
Sons of Veterans.
70 This continually growing. patriot
It organization of our sons is destined to
n much good. bespeak for it the foste
t, ing care of the Grand Army of this D.
E partment Soon indeed shall we all
b mustered out and the q. A. r. will be
d more Then on Memorial Day our so
II the sons of veterans, will come to sire
It our graves with choicest flowers to pc
1T petuate Memorial Day. Should the tin
ever come when the starry banner, 30
n glory" as we used to call it, should
IT, I = asailad hw foaa Ia thav forain-n ar a