Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1891-04-10
G. A. Il. Celebration.

G. A. Il. Celebration. y
The Workman Post OF this cit,
celebrated ON Tuesday evening last
the 25th anniversary Of the founding
OF the order OF the Grand Army o.
the Republic. On April 9Th, 1866, thu
order was first established a t Decatur
Ill. The old soldiers of Little Falls
their wives and children, the Ladies
OF Worknan's Relief Corps, Sons OF
Veterans and number of urcitizens,
us Invited guests, met at the meeting
room Of the Post in the Hall building,
The order from National Head.
quarters for the observance OF the
anniversary was read by order of the
Post Commander, Comrade Buskirk,
and the proceedings OF the evening
opened with prayer by Comrade
Donovan, acting chaplain. The
Mayor of the city, Mr.. Richardson,
made u short address, expressing
his sympathy for the objects of the
order, and congratulating the old
soldiers for their success in the grea t
work OF maintaining the Union and
putting down slavery, and estab-
fishing SO cOmmendable an order as
that OF the Grand Army OF the Re-
public. He also made some remarks
In favor of liberal pensions.
COnrade Rasicot of Green Prairie,
next spoke, commencing the govern
ment for its liberality to the old
soldiers, and giving some experiences
from army life.
Comrade Milo Porter whose first
day in the field was at the battle OF
Shiloh, recounted his experiences at
that battle in a highly interesting
manner, but with proverbial mod
csty declined to give other experiences
of army life, of broil and battle.
Comrade Donovan, being called gave
a history OF the organization OF the
Grand Army Of the Republic, and re-
calling the service of the Union Army
IN the field, in putting down the Re-
bellion, restoring the Union and
abolishing slavery. and by its
voluntary and heroic sacrifices re-
flecting honor ON free institutions and
Republican government. Reclaimed
that the Grand Army OF Republic by
it's conservative, orderly spirit, since
the war, has reinforced the best
elements Of society; and by it's yearly
decoration Of the graves OF the dead.
and general patriotic spirit, has kept
active the grand patriotism Of the
American people. While the people
of the Southern States are SO prompt
and positive in honoring the soldiers
who fought to destroy the Union, the
loyal people of the country should
be no less SO in greatfully honoring
those who fought to maintain it.
That we ought to remember that
the patriotism OF those years OF re-
bellion was not confined to any ex-
elusive class but belonged to all the
people; that the capitalists OF the
country risked their wealth, and the
rank and file, the masses of the
people, poured their blood as free as
summer rain. That all classes have
common interests, and should now
work in harmony for the good of
society, as they worked In the COS to
maintain the Union.
Comrade F. X. Lafond gave some
personal experiences Of the hardships
OF the soldiers life, and recalled the
kindness he experienced at the hands
OF the celebrated Doctor Ames of
Minneapolis, saying that once when
suffering from sun stroke and unable
to march Surgeon Ames, without
knowing anything more about him,
than that he was a sick soldier, got
off his horse, and helped Lafond on,
and marched along ON foot himself
until the danger and need were over.
Comrade Tuttle read Il brief but in.
teresting history of the Workman
Post giving the date OF it's organic
alton, '83, the numbers ON the rolls
at different times, etc.
The National Hymn. America, was
sung and all retired in good order
from the field, having enjoyed a
pleasant evening in reviewing the
rise, and hearing the history OF the
Grand Army Of the Republic.