The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1891-04-09
G. A. n. z5th Anniversary. April 6.
1907.

Il
1901.
| We are assembled this evening to cele-
brate the 25th anniversary of the organ
ization of the G. A. r., and it is hitting
that we review briefly its history and
work. The year offset dawned upon the
us. with ominous clouds ofdark forebod-
ings-some of the southern states had
seeded from the Union. Senators and con-
gressmen had left the hall of our Nation
| al legislature with treason IN their hearts
| and curses upon their lips. vacilatng
president was in the chef executive chair
and traitors were in his cabinet. Gloom
and dis pair covered the nation as with
shroud. On Feb. 4th the congress OF
the seeded states met in Montgomery,
Ala. A Provincial government was
formed on the 9th which on March 18th
was superseded by permanent one
framed substantially like that of the U.
S. On March 4th when the immorted
Lincoln took the oath of Office as Presi-
dent he was confronted by open rebellion
on one hand, bankrupt treasusery and
scattered and disorganized army on
the other. This inaugral adde's was a
master piece of eloquence, so tempered
with kindness toward his erring brethren
of the south, and yet so firm i'll patriotic
sentiments that it deserves place in the
great state papers ofthe world. In closing
he says: "You can have no oath registered
in heaven to destroy the government,
while / shall have the most solemn one
to preserve, protect and defend it. We
are ont enemies but friends. We must
not be enemies. Though passion may
have strained, it must not break our
bond of affection. The mystic clouds Of
memory stretching from every battle
field and patriotic grave to every living
heart and hearthstone all over the broad
land, will yet swell the chorus of the I'm
ion when again touched, as surely they
will be, by the better angels of our ma
ture." But the mad impulse of treason
and rebellion was unrestrained. The
dark work went on. Soon all eyes were
turned toward Fort Sumption in Charl-
estown Harbor where Maj. Anderson
with small garrison was thretheneds
On April 9th, thrifty years ago to day,
he was forbidden communication with
the main land On the 18th Gen. Beaure-
gard demanded the surrender of the fort
which was promptly refused. At 20
minutes past 3 on the morning of the
10Th Gen. Beauregard notified Maj. An
derson that if he would not surrender he
would open fire in one hour. At precise
ly 20 minutes past 4 the first gun was
fired and the war of the rebellion was in
augurated. After most heroic defence by
the garrison OF 80 against 1000 Maj.
Anderson surrendered on the 14th, but
in his report to the war department said:
eve marched out of the fort With colors
flying and drums beating, and saluted
my flag with so guns" all honor to the
gallant Maj. On the following day April
18th President Lincoln issued call tor
5000 men to which prompt and en-
thusiastic response was given. This was
followed May Sd by call for $4,000;
this by succession calls until the total
reached 2, $3.50, 999. This total loss dur
ing the war from all causes was $50, 739
leaving 1856, 260 survivors at the close.
During the struggle it was Que of the
feadest hopes of the crowned head OF
Europe that the South would succeed,
and thus should perish from the earth
government of the people, by the people
and for the people. AS the close ap-
preached and the success of the Northern
arms inevitable, all Europe said the north
may be victorious on the battle field, but
the greatest danger is still before them.
There are over 100000 men who for
over three years have been removed from
home influences, and exposed to the de-
moralizing atmosphere of army life. I'm
moral habits have been formed in them.
the savagerg incident to war has made
them vicious, absense from the restrain
ing influence of mother, wife and sister
has destroyed their finer feelings. Wait
till this body of men are turned loose up
on the country, and such state of i'm
morality, dissipation and lawlessness will
take place as will result in anarchy and
ruin. But these dire predictions did not
materialize. The army like Sennacheribs
host "melted like snow and was soon
absorbed in the good, the true and the
noble, of the dear ones who so fondly
greeted them home. Such condition OF
things had never been before seen in the
history of the world, and all nations
looked on in perfect establishment. The
brave boys" soon found their places in
the useful avocations of life, and by the
thousands took unto them wives from
among the dear girls whom few years
before they had left behind them. Thus
was fulfilled the following lines written
by T, Martin Town:
Thank God the sky is clearing!
The clouds are hurrying past;
ThankGod the day is nea rlng
The dawn is coming fast.
And when glad herald voices
Shall tell us peace shall come,
This thought shall most rejoice us
Our boys are coming home.
The vacant Preside places
Have waited for them long;
The loye light lacks their faces,
The chorus wait their song;
A shadowy fear has haunted
The long deserted room;
But now our prayers are granted
Our boys are coming home.
o mother calmly waiting
For that beloved son,
o sister proudly dating
The victories he has won;
Q maiden softly humming
The love sOuo while Won ROAM