The Livingston enterprise. [volume] (Livingston, Mont.) 1883-1914, 1890-04-12

scientist. He saw that the great majority of the
veterans who had served through the war, had
enlisted in their Young manhood, when in times
of peace they would have been laying the founda-
ton for their future business lives He saw too,
they had given the four golden years of their
lives as sacrifice on the altar OF our common
country. -Four years worth more than any ten
of after life. These Old soldiers, after their dis
charge, were largely untitled for the strife in the
civic ranks. Most all were poor, many crippled
and thousands with health permanently impaired.
lie knew that after the hardships de,rivatlons,
exposures, long periods Of hunger, extreme
nervous tension, sleepless nights, weary
marches, cares and anxleties and from scientific
standpoint foretoid the consequences. Heart
troub!es,-sheart failure So preyelant
among the old veterans, resultant from the
soldier life would follow and orr days would
averag score Of years less than those of our
ancestors. The land was full Of orphans and
widows of dead comrades. The rushing,
grasping, grinding, heartles5, selfish, money-get-
ting world had left neither niche nor corner for
lis. AS we had saved our country, We must now
try to save ourselves. Then instituted the
Grand Army of the Republic and its precepts
and purposes were promulgated They are:
First. To preserve and strengthen those kind
and fraternal feelings which bind together the
soldiers, sailors ald marines, who united to sup
press the late rebellion and to perpetuate the
memory and history of the dead. Second. TO
assist such former camrades in arms as need help
widows and orphans Of those who have fallen
Third. To maintain true alle.ience to the
United States of America, based upon para
mount respect for and fidelity to its constitution
weaken loyalty, incites to insurrection, treason
or rebellion, or in any manner impairs the eff
cheney and permanency of our free institutions
and to encourage the snread of universal liberty,
equal rights and justice to all men.
DEPARTMENT OF MONTANA,
A little less than six years ago cur first depart
ment commander, Comrade i. +. Fuller, and he
who hes the honor of addressing you, conceived
the thought that Montana should lie made a sepa
rate department. After some delay, the order
came giving authority to organize this depart
ment The Sunday following Comrade RULER
and your humble servant and Cumrade John Mof-
tit met at Fuller's Office in Helena. Comrade
Fuller had been appointed provisional command
er. We elected Comrade j. III. Mills senior vice
and Comrade Ii. 5. Howell Junior vice command
ers. Thus we started the organization. We then
had in Montana teh Posts and now we have TWEEN
" with two numbers blank. Early in June Of last
year, under the leadership Of the then command
er-in.chief, Comrade William Warner Of Kansas
City, Mo-, reinforced by all the department com
manders OF the nation, vigorous and united
move was made to secure uniform and reduced
railroad rates at all points to and from our ma
tional encampment at Milwaukee,. In the main
we failed though it is fair to say that many rail
road officers Of our western roads heartily aided
us in the movement But the great railroad kings
seem to have forgotten the fact that our services
and sacrifices. and those of our comrades in arms
both living and dead, had restored the Union,
credit, and made it possible for them to build and
operate their roads in security and peace, and
en- ibed them to loat their bonds in the profitable
markets Of the financial world A short day be
fore the meeting of this encampment, by special
order, / appointed committee each Al Butte and
Helena of eminent comrades, through whose
good efforts and influences the rates they enjoy at
this encampment were secured. Oar thanks are
due and are hereby rendered those comrades, as
ihey are also rendered to all railroads of Montana
for their courteses and Justice to the old soldier
and his friends and guests. In the month of June
a petition was received for charter to form
James Shields post, at Lewlstown. As Comrade
John C. Major was visiting Lewistown, upon
other business, about that tlme and fraternally
consented to act, he was appointed special mus
terng officer to muster and organize that post.
That duty he we'll performed In the latter part
of August l visited the posts at Helena, Ana
couda and Great Falls, and on the evening of
August 26th l mustered and organized &. *.
Warren post at Fort Benton. Permit me to say,
without in the least disparaging any other post,
tn at q. X. " arren post is one of which all the
comrades should be proud. From eSt!aIeous
testimony have learned that it is one of the
most active, efficient and patriotic in the service.
INSPECTIONS.
After our last encampment, Comrade viii
Kennedy, who was at that time appointed depart
ment inspector general, was forced by press of
business engagements to resign | reluctantly
accepted his resignation and, after much urging,
Comrade VIM f. Wheeler accepted an appoint
ment to hll the vacancy. Our laws give the de-
partment commander the right to organize his
department into inspection districts. The 10
main of this department is 50 vast in area and
the posts so far apart concluded the only prac-
tical plan was to constitute each post district
for inspection purposes, and by special orders
appointed one assistant department Inspector for
become onclAnd5s comrades SO appointed thus
u itl 1,.s .---.- - -. : -
A resolution passed at our last encampment,
a sum of money towards paving
10 of Gpn4rtmpNt commander
visiting the post of the department., carried with
it the implied obligation that he should perform
such duty.
on the "gi and rounds with the purpose to visit
all the posts in the department, mot heretofore
visited by me) excepting John Buford post No.
and James Shields No. 1870, regretting that the
lines of travel at that season OF the year would
not justify the diversion.
In this attempt | made signal failure. On
the extreme western end OF my beat | was
stricken down with severe attack OF the prevail
ing influenza. From the point CT attack moved
easterly about so miles and then westerly about
go mics TO my ''Appo.lattoN. There umcpn-
surrendered to "GeIcTai LaGrpije.
The disaster greatly eplored, not only tina, the
sickness was decidedly dIsagreeable, but largely
because was compelled to cancel all appoint
ments and abandon further operations
l have the honor and pleasure to report that
royal welcome and gave soldiers hearty greet
ing. Macauley IN his history of England, in
speaking of Oliver CromwelIs old army after
the restoration OF Charles II, says ftty thousand
men, accustomed to the profession Of arms, were
at once thrown on the world. The experience
seemed to warrant the belief that this change
would produce much misery and crime, that the
DISCHARGED veterans would be seen begging In
every street, or would be driven by hunger to
Dillape But no such result followed. In few
months there remained not Il trace indicating
that the most formidable army in the world had
lust been absorbed into the mass of the com
muuity, The ruya!sts themselves confessed that
in every department of honest industry the dis
carded warriors rrospered beyond other men,
that none was charged with any THEFT or Toooefy:
that none was heard to ask an aims, and that II
a baker, mason or wagner attracted notice by
his diligence and sebriety, he was In all prob,
ability one Of divers old soldiers. Il, instead
of fifty thousand, we substitute one million On
GLIDING both disbanded armiesl the situation and
results would be parallels.
In the rounds taken found veterans cheerful,
courageous, industrious and thrifty. With
scarcely an exception he Is man of note in his
community. "ile is one of our best citizens
was in nearly every instance sthe verdict given
me. The answer was and Is; "Ee should he,
the stuff is In him and 1t Is his duty TO hlmsclf,
to the sacred cause tor which he fought and to
his country today. History and posterlty Claims
that Of him All the posts visited found in
healthy, good working condition with one ex-
ceptlon, and that place that can support one
of the best and strongest posts in this depart
ment In my experience and under my observa-
tions in the Grand Army Of the Republic, very
mucn Gepcuus upOA tHc ooAii'S anu A0not -
post officers, but on the post commander rests
the responsibility. Ii you have good post com
mander you Will have good post, but II he Is
negligent and inefficient your post will be care
less and shabby and will not be worth dollar
niece of Confederate script. Could l get 1t a
lower value: 1t is fair to say, however, that
much depends upon the preceding management
either for good or evil. An incident occurred at
Missoula on my trip that Is appropriate mere 10
relate, There l met distinguished lawyer
whom had known IN my old kentucky nome.
His ancestors and mine were proud, arlstocratlc
slave holders. After kindly greetings he asked
me this question:: swell Colonel are you Grand
Army men going 20 nominate for another term:
Nv friend was then In full health, but slnce pc
ing weary of his journey, and taking ms burden
for a-pillow, he is uow asleep ON the hlghWay 10
eternity. Kentucky is the land OF blue grass,
fine horses and coloneis Ny friend, though
never in the military service, was also colonel
and ri htfuIly as much entitled to the distinction
as dozens of others So called colonies In Mon.
tana. My answer was: 'CoIonel, the GfanG
Army of the Republic is il no sense political
organization. 1t is purely snd only social and
Politics are eschewcd Politics do not enter oul
post rooms Comrades, you know l spoke the
| truth 1t happened tnat was in company Win
| a leading democrat, VINO is also Orand ARMY
| man. to whom had to appeai to deieno my III
! tegrity. .ooo-,n,o,d.
| tions TO make would most earnestly urge q
more efficient system for the government OF oul
society The reports of all oticers In tne iihe U
duty should be more promptly made at the ciose
of each and every Quarter. " nile am no. IN az
attitude 20 recommend 1t, nor yet te9ee,, ,ns
| proposition has been suggested that the bylaw;
| (. I,,.,da1 an os tn rpoIre only one post meet