The National tribune., 1891-02-19

Address of welcome by Comrade J. r. Balls
ley at the presentation Of a memorial volume
by the Kurtz family to Post I0i, ConnellsviIle,
Pa.
After addressing the Commander, the CON-
rade held a small silk flag up before the audi
cnce, and spoke rs follows:
The American Flag; IL stripes alternate red and
white; asquare OF blue ia upper corner bsdecked
with stars; words. no border; no fringe no ornn-
meniation of any kind. Fold Il up and lay il away,
and u has no more significance than any other
piece OF goods Of like size. Nail IL TO a staff and
oat II TO the breeze and 6OO0 90 people will love
aud project 1t, ami the Nations OF the earth will
honor and respect u.
Twenty-nine years ngo last April that flag was
assHied by an enemy. and during the four years
that followed more than 100000 men took zap
arms and went forth la its defense against like
number Of their felow-countTymen who were ar
rAyed against u. After passing through 2 2C5 en-
gagements, and being baptized in the blood Of
tens Of thousands Of Americas bFavest sons, 70
came forth from the carnage respendent with vie
tory, and more beautiful than the most gOF geoas
web from TyTian looms " and stands to-day the
grandesl ensign Of the greatest Nation on earth
The men who defended that banner and carried
u through tile perilOus conflict after they had dis
armed its foes and re-establl-hed u every hill
top throughout the laud disbanded and returned
10 their homes To again resume the duties Of civil
life. But the memories Of those dreadful years Of
war chung Ca them aud. not content to discuss the
events in that period OF their lie's history simply
individuals, they banded themselves together in
companies called Grand Army Posts. aud at stated
old flag and TO keep alive that spirit of patriotism
that led them on 10 victory, A. well Co cherish
the memory OF their fallen comrades aud aid and
assist the living.
All over this broad land, in every city and In
every town Of any importance, you will ind
Grand Army Post. made up Of the men vino went
forth To defend their cOuutTy's flag and came home
with an honorable record. Each of these Posts
bear the name Of - departed comrhde who either
went down to his death the field Of battle has
since gone To the land where wars are not known.
In this place we have Post Hamed for "A brave
boy who, . years ago at the battle OF FTedercks-
hurg, Va, gave his life for his cOuniTy's honor.
That boy was Comrade William kuTtz. Firs. Ser
gcaut Of Co III. 1924 Pa and the of this
bic couple, Mr. and MTs. Josiah KuTtz aud
I. brother, uncle. nephew cousin to large num-
Der Of this audenc
WeR here tonight TO do honor 10 his name and
TO the memory Of all e0mTades who gave their lives
that our Nation might live. and who went down
To their death without even the consolation Of
knowing that they had not died Ia vain"
And now, In behalf Of William kurtz Post, No.
100. Grand Army Of the Republic, welcome the
Commander and the Past Senior Vice Commander
of the Department Of Pennsylvania, who have
come To take part in these exercises; and extend
cordial welcome To the members of the KurtE
family and their friends who are here tn performs
"A pleasing task May you have a pleasant time,
and may this occasion be one long TO be remem-
brrcd. Welcome allt