The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-06-03
CAMPFIRE ORATORY.
Gen. Veazey Rouses the Enthu-
siasm of Veterans.
THE GRAND ARMY's PROSPERITY.
Union Warriors Satisfied With Pension
LegIslstion-witty Speeches Of
Local Comrades.

Last night Grand Army circles were aroused
TO the highest pitch of enthusiasm by the recep-
ton and campfire rendered at the headquarters
of the q. A. 4. 10 General w. C. yeazey, COM
mauder-in-chief OF the Grand Army OF the Re-
public.
Comrades of Stevens post, Miller post. the
ladies OF the women's Relief Corps and the Sons
Of Veterans crowded into the hall. every availa-
BILE seat being occupied, and many stood TO hear
the remarks OF local speakers, and listened
with rapt attention TO an exhaustive oration de-
livered by their honored guest.
Commander & +. street, OF Stevens post, pre-
sided, and introduced Colonel J. W. Langley,
who made an eloquent speech. He paid warm
tribute to the nations defenders: spoke glow
ingly of the women's Relief Corps; spoke
proudly of the Sons of Veterans, and closed q
brilliant talk by introducing General veazey, the
speaker of the evening, OF whom he spoke in
warm and complimentary terms. His remarks
were interspersed with witty illusions and local
hits.
General veazey was warmly received es he
arose. 1He began bis remarks by speaking OF the
Seattle he knew in the past and the metropoli-
tan city that spread out before him now. ''iears
ago." said be- 81 cast the horoscope Of your city.
Today see her as hoped she would be, met
tropolitan city. They told me In the East that
Seattle was good Grand Army town, and 90
find it. Wherever there Is progress and enter
prise and good citizenship there the e. A. K.
will flourish. The greatest men of our nation from
the president down, members OF cabinet, con-
gressmen, judges and the industrial kings of the
land are proud to be known Grand Army men,
and the qualities that made them brave and
fearless soldiers combine to make them good
citizens and successful men,"
General Feazey then proceeded 10 pay some
attention to the condition of the order. IL
find" continued the speaker. sthai notwifh-
standing heavy death rate, the number of our
sdherents is increasing. am proud TO be able
TO say that this young department has increased
in wonderful proportion. Your memberships
the past year has increased fully 40 per cent,
which is in greater proportion than any other
department. in the Union. But the G.. A. Z. has
not reached its climax, and viii no. think IN
I'll perhaps in 1893, when we meet at the World
fair. We have today over 100000 members aid
5000 posts, all in q hourishing condition. We
need not numerical strength, but we do need an
increase in membership to strengthen Us, TO aid
Us in carrying ont that grand prin-
ciple of comra6eship which is the
distinguishing feature of our order,
and for the good Of the old soldier himself, for
no man can join the G. A. z. without becoming
q nobler man and better citizen.
81 find, comrades. that everywhere throughout
the land there is great satisfaction with the
general pension legislation OF the nation. There
time ago it took longer time 20 get pension
than it did to put down the rebellion, / have
given attention TO these matters, and am proud
70 say that the system OF the examination OF
claims has been simplified that there 10 little
or no delay, and that every man who is entitled
10 recognition at the hands OF his country, shall
get his just deserts with as little de-
lay as possible. Today pension certifi-
Gates are being issued a. the rate
of from ], 900 to 100 per day. II this prompt
work keeps up, in two years at the outside the
pension docket will be cleared and no man will
have cause for complaint"
The commander-in-chief then paid a warm
compliment to the Womans Relief Corps, and
said that he was always poor hand to talk to
the ladies, except one at time. He, however,
declared that in the work of charity woman had
done noble duty, and had admi mustered to the
wants of thousands of old, worn-out patriots
who sorely needed their care, and that
for this they deserved the respect
of all classes of society. He
was also proud Of the Sons of Veterans, but
did not favor the idea of making comrades OF
them. Said he: sour work must stand alone,
and when we are gone into eternity let them be
unhampered to take up the work where we left
ii off, and they, too, will have the grand cause
of human charity TO carry out for the good OF
mankind"
General yeazey closed his magnificent
speech by alluding to the national encamp-
ment OF the u. A. r., which begins
at Detroit on August 5. He extended
g cordial invitation to all Pacific coast comrades
10 honor the occasion with their presence, and
assured all that he would be glad to meet them
there and renew his pleasant acquaintance with
ali the comrades. Concluding the speaker said
Come, comrades, in such numbers that the
national gathering viii present to the whole
country al object lesson in patriotism and love
Of eoaatry"
Other speeches, humorous and entertaining
were made by Department Commander Lowell
o. Washington; Conrade o. B. Johnson O,
stevens post Co1nrade Buliene and Others
The enthusiasm Of ali was spontaneous, and i,
war ths universal opinion that this has beer
TIE NEST successful campfire ever held in Seattle
Alter the speseh-Ensking was over all the com
rG1es pressed around General veazey and
gYsspec hls hand. Al one time he seemed much
ioseaaed ~ the eordiality of the greeting tina
pes extended 20 him Again the veterans me-
AID fought the bloody battles OF the civil war
Nary stories Of martial bravery were recountec
~ the days when elbows touched and men sheC
their hearts blood that the Mon might be pre
served While many conyersed with the cues
q TIE evening others went into the dining
room, where the quartermaster served COTE,
and beans.
General Neazey expressed great satisfaction
with his reception, and said that the G. A. r il
Seattle was composed OF as bright set of uer
as he had met anywhere in the whole country.
THE LOG SEATTLE