The Livingston enterprise. [volume] (Livingston, Mont.) 1883-1914, 1890-04-12
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
Sixth Annual Encampment of the De-
partment of Montana.

GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC
Sixth Annual Encampment of the De-
partment of Montana.
The sixth annual encampment of the
Department of Montana, held in this
city the past week, was one of the most
successful and interesting gatherings of
the veterans of the late war, now resi-
dent in this state, ever held in Montana.
The arrangements made for the recep-
ton of visiting comrades by committees
from Farragut Post were admirable, and
as the delegations from the several posts
began to arrive Tuesday from neighbor-
ing towns they were comfortably pro-
vided for at the Albemarle and at the
homes of resident comrades. The busi-
ness houses and private residences were
handsomely and elaborately decorated
With the national colors and emblems
suggestive of the occasion, giving the
city gala appearance, in keeping with
the uniforms and decorations of the
veterans. The department commander,
Colonel Galloway, arrived Tuesday night
and took charge of the preparatory
work. At u m. Wednesday the encamp-
ment was called to order in the room of
Farragut Post, in the Miles block, which
had been beautifully trimmed and deco
rated for the occasion, by Commander j.
E. Galloway. After preliminary work a
committee on credentials was appointed
and an adjournment taken until p. m.
On reassembling the committee On ere
dentials submitted its report, which was
read and adopted.
The members of Phil Sheridan Camp
Sons Of Veterans, were then introduced
and seated, after which the doors were
tn rownopen to the public.
The reports Of the council Of admins
tration, adjutant general and quarter
master general were submitted, read and
approved.
The inspector generals report was
then submitted, read and referred to a
committee and subsequently adopted.
The report of the delegate to the last
national encampment was read and
ordered placed among the archives of
the encampment.
The captain submitted a brief verbal
report, after which Comrade G. W.
Grant was called to the chair and Com
mander Galloway delivered the follow
ing excellent address:
COMRADES: Nearing the sunset of the Nine
teenth Century on this the Twenty-tifth anniyer-
sary Of Appomattoy, we have gathered at our
Sixth Annual Encampment
Representing every section of mighty COM
monwealth as vast as the three great states of
| Kentucky, Illinois and Iowa combined: greater
yet than the empires of New York. Pennsylvania
| and Ohio; coming from the eastern and western
water sheds of the continent, and standing today
| at the very feet of the Rocky mountains, the
sunny side of Americas ridge poll, in this in-
tial year of our statehood, we send greeting to
every veteran who fought in the war, waged for
the preservation of the Union.
Alike to the blue and to the gray: To the gray,
not for his cause, but for his martial valor and
heroic devotion to a bad cause. "Encmies in war;
at peace friends, and brothers then aliens, now
friends and citizens of one country, under
| flag. Peace and grace be with you.
TO the blue, who with lis fought, "that liberty
should not perish from the face of the earth,
with moistened eyes growing old and dim, and
hearts thfobbing with patriotic feryer, that none
but an old soldier can appregi "tna3a, vet under.
staai ,,isa barred and bowe nh the salutaticn,
stNo6tes nteI tie TIE richt 9l,, uhsnd -M,iats.''
| While the shadows lengthen, and as the good,
old Vicar of Wakefield said to his son: II pray
that all your lines may fall in pleasant places;
and as one Of the good old writer's in the good
book wrote: "May all your ways be oj pleasant
| npGa and all YOUR paths be peace.
Looking down the history of little over a cen
turys growth and progress OF our country, from
been four great problems solved in the cause Of
free government In the words of one of immor-
| tai fame: "GOvernment OF the People, by the
People and for the People.
When the country, which is now our pride, was
| in embryo our grandfathers, unaccOuteIed for
war, unpreparcd to defend their hearthstones
from invasion-l may say unfed and unclothed-
fought, conquered and wrested from an empire,
which arrogantly boasts that from Cressry till
today her colors have never been lowered, the
liberty we enjov and cherish. But she, the
mother of the Nation OF which have the exalted
honor today Of addressing the sons of those great
| orandsires, who brought it into existence, she
the muchly lauded mistress of the Seas, and
whose proudest claim was the sun never set up
on her domains and the beat of her drums never
ceased to roll around the earth, was compelled
by the heroic valor OF the patriots whom you
represent to succumb to the prowess OF the pro
genitors Of those who, when treason ran riot in
the dark days OF 81 and the unity, the integrity
OF the government of our fathers was imperiled
flew, as did you and l, to the rescue OF that ma
ton and its emblems.
But the limits of this farwell--as l shall soon
retire from duty as your commander-aliows no
further time wherein to revert to the events OF
those great, grand days with which you are
, familiar through the annals of history. Our ma
ton was born and the first great problem OF a
free government was solved.
We, as nation, were but 26 years of age when
the same arrogant power, with her usual impu
dence, insisted right to insult our flag, search
our ships and impress our seamen. The war OF
1872 followed and the British colors were again
dropped before the stars and stripes. In ISL
. the flag of our fathers was planted in triumph
over the halls of Montezumas and Mexico lait
PROSTATE at our feet Thus it was demonstrated
: that the young republic could successfully cope
, with foreign nations and the second problem was
solved.
upon our arms by the valor of Or fathers ant
grandsircs merely to bring to your memories
the fact that you have proven yourselves the no
BILE sons OF iliustrious sires. But there came
. !. time Of more serious moment to us.We ap
, preached the great, the grand, the appalling Gil
q sis
: The crumbling monuments of dead nation:
teach us that no government can be perpetuated
: nor even long exist, under which public virtue il
! ! forgotten and the principles promulgated IL
= Americas great liberty charter are cohtlnuousl.
violated and outraged.
Comrades. We came near making fatal mis-
take, worse than crime. When Thomas Jeffer
son had grown wrinkled and gray in the serylc
| OF country, the tOtteIlQS OlU HAL, nearly
3 ken down with the cares of state, went to hi
e Virginia home at Monticello to die. And whel
J. he was nearly ready to 'sdraw the drapery of hi
= couch round about him and lie down to pleasan
dreams in the last long sleep, he looked abroa
! in the land, and although the windows OF ligh
g were very dim, he saw that we had become, no
: only section, but nation of traftickers IN hu
s man flesh and human blood; and though tn
d daughters of music were very low and dull, ye
n he heard the cries and groans OF downtrodce
J. and oppressed people, and in agony OF soul b
e exclaimed: II fear and tremble for my countr
l. when remember that God is just.
i The war came. war-in Its magnitude II
grandeur, its magnifcence, the extent OF area IN
e volved, the character, yalor, heroism, devotion
| genius resources, determination and numbers O
| the vast armies engaged-the like of which his
tory had never recited, nor had the world eve
known More than four million of men in tt
: armies were enlisted and took part in the cor
fict. Four years of war, during which more tina
: two thousand and five hundred battles wer
4 fought.
Appomattox passed into history. and the al
q mics OF Lee, johnson and Taylor went to thei
y peaceful homes. The great Union armies passe
!. in grand review at Washington and Nashvlllt
7 donned the modest garb of the citizen and quiet:
y u sought the paths of peace. History furnlshe
I, nothing that can arise to the dignity OF compa
n ison, nor yet find parallel. 1t proves that ouI
~ is the BEST the strongest and the freest govern
=, ment instituted among men. The great proolei
y was solved. The war cost the United state
y mot counting the cost to the insurgency MOI o.