The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-08-20

1t represents what WASHINGTON and hi
army fought for-freedom of speeca sRs
action. Any man has a right to hi
opinions and actions If within the law o
the land. It represents freedom OF growth
morally and financially. 1t represents tn
proclamation of the greatest of Americans
Abraham Lincoln. when he struck tit
shackles from ,000, 900 slaves with a strok'
of his pen. It represents the homes of ou
country. It represents the foundation of I
free government. There is nothing nobl,
and loyal that this flag does not represent
As went down Main street yesterday
and many OF you have done the same,
saw this glorious banner floating in tht
breeze 200 feet above my head aud | said
one thought TO myself there is nothine
more sublime and beautiful than ''oid
glory"
The attachments formed for the flag il
the breast of the American people ara
something wonderful. An incident oil
attachmens for the flag is recalled 80 my
mind just now. In an engagement,
when the regiment formed and
marched forward, the color bearer fell
pierced by three or four balls. A comrade
jumping 10 his side seized the flag and as
lie was about to bear it away the color
bearer asked the privilege of kissing the
fig before he died. Another instance.
The battle was raging fierce and wild; the
line was almost broken; the eoiorbearer
was killed, and the colors were lying on
the ground, when suddenly young Milton
Roberts sprang forward aud amid !eaden
shower, grasped the coiors and hosting
them on high. bagan to sing in Il loud,
Clear tone, Rally Round the Flag Boys u
In a moment the scene was changed.
They did rally round the flag, and dash
ing forward the battle was won in less
than five minutes.
There are some people who do not love
the flag. Such men are traitors. Men
who are foreigners who come to this
country to live must learn to love the flag
and obey the laws, else there is standing
invitation for them to return to the land
from whence they came. This flag will
exist because the government will exist.
This government cannot be destroyed, for
the reason that the people love the flag
and the institutions it represe Dts. There
is no room on the American continent for
Anarchists or Nihilists. The enemies of
this country may plot TO destroy the gov
eminent but there is stro1g golden cord OF
loyalty running through the people tina
when such things occur the patriotism
comes to the rescue, the authorities are
notified and the piotters and their schemes
are crushed::t to the earth.
We thank you for this beautiful banner
and assure you that we will protect 1t
with the same courage that filled the
breast of the man for whom our post is
named And when the last member of
the post shall have passed away it will be
handed down to the Sons of Veterans. who
will likewise protect it, and the story OF
their fathers valor will be handed down
from generation to generation.
Mr.. Balm of Joe Hooker post was intro
duced. He is the color bearer for the de-
partment of Kansas at the annual encamp-
ment at Washington. Mr.. Balm stands 6
ft 4 in. high and is the biggest man in the
department, and will ride at the head of
the Kansas column on the biggest horse
the department can find in Washington
and carry his flag just little higher than
ANYBODY else. He was called upon for a
speech but he said he was by speech max
ing like good many were about the war.
Instead of going themselves they hired a
he would hire substitute.
The Sedgwick band then favored the
audience with another selection of music.
Miss Eva Millison, bright little miss OF
about or 10 summers. then recited the
pride of Battery B. to the great delight
of the congregation.
The ladies of the Woman's Relief Corps
No. 40 presented the department. COM
mander with q regulation hard tack, for
which he returned thanks in neat speech.
Mr.. Ed. Madison of Dodge City, was
called for and came upon the platform. As
he appesred three rousing cheers greeted
him. He said he WAS surprised that he
was called upon for a speech. He did not
come to make a talk but to hear others
talk. He assured the old soldiers that the
Sons of Veterans, of whom he was one,
loved and respected them. The boys love
the principles for which their fathers
fought. We know that "Pap" Thomas,
that Joe Hooker, that Grant, that Sher-
man and all the union army were right,
and that We will keep alive and perpetuate
till the end of time the memory of the
Grand Army of the Republic. 1t is said
that 600, 900 soldiers for the right have a
great reserve force ip the Sons OF Veterans.
And We will stand shoulder to shoulder
with their father in battling for the right.
We are coming 5000, 900 strong and we can
the world.
We are organizing camps of Sons OF
Veterans all over these United States. We
will be stronger when you are gone, for
then the presumption will all be on your
side, We feel sighted that the members
of the Grand Army do not come around
and visit our camps more and by your
presence instill into our minds and hearts
the great lessons of patriotism and love of
by your presence and counsel.
The name of Napoleon Bonaparte would
have lived in posterity, even If there had
been no newspapers or other periodicals.
The matrons OF France had told their sons
Of all the deeds of valor and heroism which
Napoleon had acoomp lished and they were
indelibly impressed upon the minds of the
rising generation. The matrons OF the
United States had performed the same
service to other children.
He paid a beautiful tribute to the moth
ars of this country and rs he recited the
many sad and bitter things of the past
many strong men were seen to brush the
tears from their eyes.
Senior Vice Department Commander
Spencer closed the campfire by saying that
this was the grandess reunion he had eyer
attended and that the treatment accorded
him by the citizens of Wichita was be-
yond his power OF description. He hoped
% be able to meet ell the old soldiers at
many other reunions.
Chaplain Bicknell of Garfield post, in
;he absence of the department chaplain,
3r onounced the benedietion and the camp
stood adjourned.
NOTES.
The bfeeziest affair on the grounds yes
erday was the court martial held under
he supervision of Colonel Recksecksr of
he Kansas National Guards. The court
martial was convened TO try Privstes
Vince Dillon and Frank Cochran, both of
company c, Second regiment, who upon
DE plea OF guilty made by Dillon and the
hiding OF guilty in the case of Cochran
we're given discharge for the good Of the
service, which is considered in military
circles to mean a discharge half way be-
waan banars HE and d,shoaorahia The