, 1890-09-25

who had lately been raised to his exalted
position by the votes of mora than half a
million of loyal veterans. The west is
daily gaining strength and it is more than
willing to do its share in the work of
maintaining the organization. General
Miner paid a glowing tribute to the vol
unteer soldier and regretted the absence
of the governor. His mention of Wyo-
ming as the thsd Dakota was Eat and
original
General Veazey was deeply thankful
for the friendly cordiality with which be
lad been received here and the hearty
hospitality OF his treatment. This was a
compensation for the paucity of attend
ance, though strength was not solely in
numbers. Earnestness and intensity
could accomplish most anything The
audience was larger than many he had
addressed in Vermont when touring that
state as an organizer Of G. A. r. posts.
The speaker said he feared the grand
eur, scope and benefits of the G.. A. R.
were not fully appreciated here and de-
voted nearly all OF the remainder of bis
remarks to exhorting the comrades to
exert themselves in the work of
Strengthening and u~pbuilding the order,
to bring in the veterans beyond the pale
of the badge. OF the work of the g. A.
r. he mentioned the disbursement of
$3.50, 900 last year in charity, of the es-
Enlistment of soldiers homes, of the
dependent pension bill, of memorial day
as first observed in compliance with
Logan's general order. of the placing of
flags on The public school buildings. In
the ranks of the order, humbly wearing
the little badge is found the president,
cabinet officers. senator's, congressman,
supreme, district and circuit judges, gov
ernors, many other other officials and
leading business men. OF all the decora-
tons won by him in a brilliant
career there rested on the bosom of the
sainted Grant but one and that the badge
Of the G. A. R. The history of our or
Ranization shows that the best citizens
eligible are G. A. R. men, Aud whyP
Because the fraternal spirit of comrade-
ship coupled with the feeling that
prompted them to 20 forth and serve
therir country makes them such. And 1
find this same spirit manifest all over the
country.
Our organization is founded on the
principles Of fraternity. charity and 10y
atty, and what has it accomplished since
it came into existence2
Il was selected by your efforts to the
position which | now hold, and 1 regard
it as the greatest honor which can be con-
ferred upon an American citizen, and |
assure you l fully appreciate the i'm
portance of my position TO which my
comrades from ocean to ocean have
Ell, cted me. 10 making my tours across
the country in my official capacity l have
ample opportunity of seeing the condition
of the e.. A. R., and / am enabled %
judge of its growth and success, l have
been through the great states of Missouri,
Kansas, Nebraska. Colorado. and now 1
find myself in Wyoming. 1t is a matter of
no little difficulty Tor me to select the
proper words to address you, but this l
will say: I'm not here on dress parade.
l feel the responsibilities of my position
and the advance of our organization is
my prime object as l feel that it is yours,
and in my efforts to improve 1t l want to
feel the touch of elbows and the touch
Of hearts"
Gen. Veazey referred to woman suff-
rage, said he believed in it and addressed
a few words to the ladies OF the Relief
Corps, urging them to continue in the
work of assisting the veterans. He invi-
ted all the comrades to meet him at De-
troit next summer.
Alter the address nearly everyone ad-
vAnced and was presented to the general.
He was afterwards serenaded at the hotel.
General Veazey has been a member of
the commission to erect monuments to
Vermont valor at Gettysburg and is a di-
rector of the Gettysburg Battlefield
Memorial association. He was post com
mander OF Roberts post, Rutland, VT,
when the post was first organized-twen-
ty-three years ago-was one of the EARL,
est department commanders of the state,
holding office three years: was judge ad-
vocste general when Judge Ray was the
commander in chief in 1887 IS. He has
been a frequent attendant at the national
encampments, and was mentioned for
commander-in chief last year, but with
drew in favor of General Alger. His
speech in Milwaukee declining the nomi.
nation and seconding the nomination Of
General AlGer was one of the most
memorable events of that interesting oc-
casion.
The commander in-chiei is a capital
yarn spinner. Here is one of bis stories.
I'm my command l had a Yale college
graduate who was a splendid young man.
Knowing his ability as an expert account
ant .,t H., = A..