Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-23

dseelDIdSe as 1ClIOWS:
VICE PRESIDENT MoRTON's WELCOME.
Delegates to the encampment of the Grand
Army of the Republic: The pleasant duty de-
wolves upon TO extend to YOU the official
representative of the great and patriotic order
the natural successor OF the armies of the re-
public that during the dark hours of the ma
tons trial followed our glorious flag until it
waved in triumph in every state, with no star
efaced, words OF greeting and of welcome.
This l do on behalf Of all the citizens of the
national capital and more especially for the
executive and other committees, to the mem
bers OF which so much Is due for the abundant
success that has crowned their every effort.
Difficulties arose only to be overcome and dur
ing all the months of active preparation and
vigorous effort they permitted no obstacle to
block the way 20 the complete fruition of their
aim to make the twenty-sixth encampment of
the Grand Army of the Republic one that should
ever remain as a cherished memory and live in
history.
he committee represent not only the citi-
Zens of Washington. who have given such gen
erOus aid and valuable support, but the patrl-
otic people of the whole land rejoicing in a
nation saved, whose hearts go out in appre-
ciative love to its defenders.
The wisdom of Congress deemed that the
burden ofthi- entertainment should fall wholly
upon the residents of this beautiful city They
are many. all over the land. who felt that the
government itself should have assumed il, but
the glorious success we here enjoy proves so
conclusively the self-sacrifcing patriotism of
the citizens Of Washington that no man will
hereafter dare to say that they are lacking In
public enterprise or individual 81 irit
As you and your comrades marched down the
avenue the hun reds of thousands gathered to
witness your steady movement shouted acclaim
and rejoiced in your triumph.
Tonight simply make feeble echo Of their
welcome and hearty greeting
GEN PALMER's REPLY
Commander-in- Chief Palmer replied to this
address as follows:
MIR. Vice President. Comrades Of the Grand
Army OF the Republic, Ladies and Gentlemen:
The committee did me great honor in again
assigning To me the pleasure Of speaking for nv
comrades, but after the tax to which have
been subjected. feel that my health and strength
are scarcely equal to my Will to serve you or to
do justice to the grand occasion, and to speak
for my country Us Ii deserves to be spoken Of
or TO give voice to this emotion which must
thrill ever Americans heart as he thinks Of
what it was, what it is and what under the
providence Of God, it must be in the future l
speak tonight for class of men, none more
resolute in adversity, none more brave in dam
ger and none more magnanimous In victory.
The soldier Is sometimes charged with egotism
1t Is pardonable egotism, | am sure which
Causes him to contemplate the dangers and
vicissitudes through which he passed, with
80 uuCn service 10 LIS country. MAY i
not say with so much credit 70 himself? The
grandest pages In our country's history our vol
unteer soldiers furnished, traced with their
guns and punctured with their swords. Ihey
conquered as brave an army as ever stood in
battle array; and We respected the gallantry Of
those men as only those can respect them who
tested their endurance and valor on many bat
tlefelds; and tonight we glory in the fact that
they share In all We fought to preserve. And il
these festivals of patriotism serve no other pur-
pose they Will point out to the people of the
nation. to our children and our chidren's chill
dren that love Of country, that devotion to the
Union, that reverence for the Constitution and
the laws which, in the future they have been
in the past, must be the anchors which hold us
firmly toa solid, permanent and prosperous
national existence. And from the time
they laid aside the weapons Of war and resumed
the peaceful vocations Of civil life they have
been as loyal to law and order, as citizens az
they were faithful and heroic in the cause in
which they served ~ soldiers, and the man who
stands ready to give his life for his country in
time OF peril can safely be trusted in time Of
peace, care not to what party he may belong.
To the citizens OF Washington, to the COM
mittee who have given SO generously OF their
time and energies, have no words at my COM
mand to express for my comrades their grateful
appreciation for the maGnifcence OF this recep-
tion and the generous hospitalities showered
upon all who have visited your city on this
memorable occasion. And to the loyal women
who have generously aided In adding to
our pleasures, and who present with us
tonight, can only say for my comrades, God
bless them all
Looking tonightupon these national emblems
which SO beautifully adorn this building, l am
reminded that from out Of this grand structure
goes the certificates Of n nations substantial
gratitude to her sons, that tighten the burdens
Of their toll, and reminds them of the glory
and greatness of their country. 'Tis said that
republics are ungrateful, but ingratitude is not
one of the charac .eristics Of the American ma
ton, particularly toward the men who, at the
peril Of their lives, made IL possible that We
should gather here tonight under the folds Of
the stars and stripes. representing union Of
forty-four states and prosperous people. No
country under IL blue canopy of haven -