The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-02-20
THE NATIONAL PRESIDENT ON WHEELS.

changed cars three times I reached Rutland and
was welcomed into the W.R.C. Convention most
cordially. noble band of women greeted me.
Tho Senior Vice President occupied the chair, the
President being sick with Ia grippe.
In the evening there was n Campfire TO which
the W.R.C were invited. Seats were reserved for
them, and every speaker who stood before the
immense audience that night spoke in the highest
terms of the W.R.C. and its work. After n right
royal and enthusiastic welcome the Commander
in-Chicf Gen Alger. made an eloquent address, in
which lac referred To- the w Il O., and commended
It's work IN high terms, as the following sentence
will show
cannot shy too much In behalf OF the Woman's
Relief Corps. Every comrade In this Department
should use his best efforts to the organiza-
ton Of Corps auxiliary To the Post to which he
belongs. May the blessed Order continue TO In
crease until there Post in this Department but
has "a Corps attached 10 IT,"
also had tho privilege Of speaking. Refresh
nents were served To the mmcnse audience who
remained seated, during All intermisson. Perfect
order was maintained, and after the feast
the Campfire continued without the least delay
confusion.
Judge Neazey. Of Rutland who Is member of
The Interstate Commerce Commission occupied the
chair and presided with great dignity and ability.
As he Is gifted, genial. witty presiding officer.
the enthusiasm was not allowed TO dag for
mcnt.
Tho ". re were invited 10 attend the installation
services 81 the GAN and delegation sent
10 escort the ladies over and seat them on the plat
form
GEN Thomas, who l. called "The Infant" OF
vermont, because he II so jolly md young in
heart and feeling. although hc II 50 years old,
was designated 10 escort the National President.
deemed u high honor to have as my escort such
grand old hero.
Tic railroad officials gave n free excursion to tho
Commander. tnt hief and the other visitors To Ben
ningtun To visit tho Soldiers Home. palHce- car
was assigned u.s. and q. &. kinsmAn untring
la his attentions for the comfort of oil.
The institution il indeed Home. There
mir OF comfort in all the rooms Refreshments wCro
awaiting IA the dining room. Afer the luncheon,
ten. A'E"r, Judge Griffin aud myself addressed
the inmates OF the Home briefly. Is tile men stood
there, some of them leaning their crutches-
most at them hearing the scare II battle aud deep
lines oi sniicriugs-evcry heart AsHs touched. and
aa TIA" speakers dwclt la hitiug terms the grand
services they had rendered 10 their country and to
the world, and on the glory that would follow,
every face wet with tears. aud the visitors
moved "nt with SiiSpt- solemn Hen from the bail
~ though. they very trcadug on holy ground.
The visitors taken tn the base OF the huge
granite SHAFT erected 10 ihe honor Of tie Yer
mont soldiers who fcii In recent civil IL Is
massive an lofty and 10y fr tue grandest struc-
turo Of the Kind have ever seen.
Srw HAMPSHIRE CONVENTION.
A. tle earnest solicitation Of the officers at
tended the W.EC Of New Hampshire. I was
surprised and delight o to Had 50 large gathering
md such n splendid. looking body Of women to-
gethst. spirit ofenrnestnezs and unseliI
seCTatiDH to he work characterized the Convention.
Ono Of my able Atjsa-L. Florence Barker, Of
Maiden. Mass-ine mo at Manchester, aud by her
wise and timely words added largely the Interest
81 lac convention aud to the Campfire, where she
made an appropriate aud effective speech.
General aud hfs. AIgcr visited The Convention
Tic zp,cuh 81 ti!c COMMUNICATIVE Chief commend
ing the work 81 the W.ttC. was received with
enthusiasm. Mrs. Alger. who j. "A member OF our
Order talscz deep Interest Ia everything connected
with tho vac.
Every courtesy and attention that II was possible
foe tiie g Az, Encampment 10 show extended
To- the NEt. Special =cats were reserved for their
delegates at ti" Campfire, aud The warmcst words
OF praise were uttered ia regard Ia their work.
The Commander ia iicf, after being welcomed
by the Lieutenant Governor TO tic state. by the
Mayor 10 The hospitality al the city of Manchester,
and the Department Commander 10 the hearts OF
nil true &. Ar. comrades. made "A brief aud clo-
quent speech. lie WAS followed by others among
them Mrs. Barker and myself We left with the
conviction that the patriotism of New Hampshire
- solid as her granite hIlls.Anuie Wlltenniyur
National Precedent.
BANCROFT TESTIMONIAL
The committee appointed by Ohio Convention 10
present u fitting testimonial 20 Mary T.. Bancroft
ohios Centennial President, have discharged their
duties 10 the highest satisfaction of all Cnncerne ed
Al II meeting At Wells Post Hail. Kate -. Sherwood.
Past National President presiding, the exercises
took place. Sarah VI. l., Bnttels Past Department
President. Chairman Of tho Committee, made a
most eloquent address 10 which Mary If. Bancroft
responded ia her lovely manner. Cora Day Young
Past National Senior Vice President; Ada T. Clark
Past Department Counselor; \. Allie Shulcr Past
Department Senior Vice President all Of the com
mittee aud Elizabeth X. Heron Department
President followed with happy congratulations
Col. Bancroft, Rev. DR.. Moore. Senator Alexander
Representative Palmer and Putney, and Past
Commander Wilder were among the speakers
The Apollo Quartet rendered choicest selections
The testimonial selected Is Ia the form OF an ex-
quisite black and-white cameo medallion Of Col
Carl y. Bancroft, Past Department Inspector
q Ar, one oI tho Ohio comrades who, at Denver
pledged himself to the WB.C., aud who in every
National and State Enoampment ever since has
stood for the noble Order. IL il set in gold studded
with pearls and Is Of the finest Tiffany mauuinc-
ture. A. Ohio Is never extravagant In approprla-
tions for testimonials II may be whispered that the
dFaf, the treasury will only bc for n part Of the
expense, the difference having been made up by
one who goes with her hand In lIer pocket both 70
relieve soldier suffering aud 20 honor those who
have become famous Ia the same glorious work
MRS. BArTEIs's PRESENTATION ADDRESS.
This IL an age Of Reunions. People have learned
that the gathering together of those who possess
common ties ana Interests, and the minging of
those interests aud the Interchange of thoughts
plans and sentiments, and the gliding of them
with social pleasures, has widencd and deepened
human Eympathics, and made our lives less sc fish
aud more akin To that divine love and sympathy
that oycTshnduws us all. Now, we are not isolated
creatures but made TO feel by this spirit Of re-
union that we are part of "a large number whose
aims, Objects aspirations AMI duties the same
There are many thousand women in our land who
have pledged themselves To perform u specific
duty 10 those who bore the heat and burden of the
" time that tried mems sous,' and who won vic
tory over treason and gave to- IA country without
Il mhsterOr slave To care for these, our heroes
aud defenders OF home and country, aud tho wild
ows and orphans of those "~ho sleep III their win
dowcss palace of rest - las ever been u sacred duty
and pleasure TO you, ns well ~ 10 aid suffering hui
manity everywhere.
Recognizing this devotion To our soldiers of the
civil war aud the marked ability shown in caring
for them, branch of thls great army Of patriotic,
graleful-hearted women, tile department of Ohio
W.R.C., called youto the chief executive Office in
ministTtion full of intelligence To its require
ments and the methods to bring the greatest good
To all concerned that the result adminstra-
ton 50 Just aud pure, filled with kind aud low
Ing thoughtiuiness that year of great prosperity
was the portion of our Department.
While caring for tile interests of this the ban
ner Department of the W.kC., you, from physical
disability, were declared from many of the social
pleasures aud duties that deYolve upon the pfesi-
dent Of the Department; but when on the couch of
pain the interest of this great ever IN your
thought and in and from that place of intense suf
ferng were written and sent the many white
winged messengers of peace, comfort, cheer aud
kindly advice that made your administration to be
called one Of love.
The Department recognizing this inestimable
labor reformed in It's behalf, have deemed IL right
and proper that some token of their appreciation
: OF such distinguished services be prepared and