Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1892-08-25
THE VETERANS In CAMP
A Large Attendance at The
Soldiers and Sailors
Reunion
Over 500 Soldiers and Soldiers
Sons, Wives and Daugh-
ters Present
A Very Interesting Program
Yesterday Afternoon and
Evening

The seventh annual reunion Of the
WhatcOm County Soldiers and Sailors
Association which opened yesterday at
Teutonia Park would indicate that the
survivors Of the great rebellion were
growing in number instead of belong
ing to a generation that is rapidly pass
ing away. The attendance Of veterans
was certainly much larger than at any
preceding reunion i'm the history Of the
society. Over one hundred and fifty
were enrolled on the roster and many
failed TO register. On the three books
provided for the registration of the vet
Grams, sons Of veterans, and wives and
daughters Of veterans over five hun
dred names were enrolled yesterday.
The grounds have been fixed up most
attractively. A large platform with
seats and a rostrom, patriotically decor
ated with bunting, lighted by electric
ark lights, has been provided for the
musical exercises and speaking. Citi-
zens Of New Whatcom have contribu-
ted rations for all visiting veterans and
their families, which are served free in
large tent. The meals yesterday were
highly complimented by all who par
took. The ladies' relief corps, Of New
Whatcom, have refreshment booth
which Is being run for the benefit Of
the association.
A. w. Custer, "A son Of a veteran, has
been employed by Secretary Clothier to
keep the roster Of veterans. Miss
Mamie Rogers has charge Of the regis
tution Of the sons Of veterans, and
Miss Lulu KinyOn enrOlls the wives
and daughters.
About fifty veterans started out from
| Lynden on the steamer Minnie, but
the steamer ran aground and they were
unable to arrive yesterday.
The veterans formed i'm line on Thir-
teenth street at 10 o'clock in the morn
ing and marched to camp. The public
exercises did not begin until 2 O'clock.
| The proceedings opened with music 10y
the band. Rev. Wolf, Of Ten Mile, led
in prayer and was followed by song
"The Battle Cry Of Freedom by "A
choir consisting of Miss Anderson, Mrs
| lsensee, Mrs. A. 5. Cole, Mrs. Griffin,
Mrs. Caldwell, Oscar Farrar, Mr.. Nc
Leod, Mr.. Wolf and Mr.. Lampkin.
The address Of welcome was deliv-
cred by Judge II. B. Williams. He
said:
Mr. President, Comrades and Ladies
and Gentlemen: The lapse Of time
has brought around another annual
meeting of the Soldiers and Sailors As
sociation Of Whatcom county. Al
though since our last meeting some Of
our number have crossed the Silent
river and gone into the Eternal camp,
yet, thankful that the number Is so
small, grateful that 80 many Of US are
still alive and usually well, and conf.
| IDENTIFY hopeful for the future, we meet
today to renew our old friendships and
| interchange our fraternal greetings.
In behalf Of james b. Steedman Post
No. "a, Grand Army Of the Republic,
| Department of Washington and
Alaska, il becomes my pleasing duty
TO bid you, one and all, hearty well
come on this occasion. Not as parti-
zans, not as politicians, not as office
seekers, not as citizens and neighbOrs
only, not as friends merely, but AZ sol
diers and sailors Of the republic, as
men who had the courage and the
patriotism TO risk all, even life itself, in
defense Of that flag, as comrades who
amid weary marches and on hard
fought fields, learned TO know each
other well, have we this day assembled.
As such comrades, some Of us growing
gray and bald, and stopped In body,
and some Of US manned and crippled
and otherwise disabled, but as young
and stout In heart and feeling ~ ever,
we meet once more.
Allow me today 10 congratulate you
as the survivors Of those men who,
prompted alone by the supreme call Of
patriotism, leaving the shop, the store,
the office, the farm, the forge and all
the varied walks of industry, abandon
ing the many avenues for accumulat-
ing wealth necessarily incident 10 the
war, and bidding good-by TO freside
and family, went forth, obedient to
that highest call Of duty, each TO do
his part In making our common coun-
try what she Is today, united and rea-
sonably prosperous and happy. Yours
today Is that supreme satisfaction
which always arises from the con-
sciousness Of duty performed. IL
matters little 10 you that there be some
who fail 10 appreciate the services and
sacrifices Of yourselves and your dead
comrades. Although candor compels
me TO admit that there are those who
speak sneeringly Of the old soldier, yet
such are few In number, deficient In
brains and wholly wanting in those
higher and better impulses which go TO
make up courage and love Of country.
You found a few Of that class during
the war, but they were generally sneak
ing around suttler's tent during a
battle, and caught robbing the bodies
Of your comrades after It.. IL Is cause
for rejoicing that their number IL 80
small and that the great heart Of the
nation has no throb OF sympathy with
such warts upon the body polite.