Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-21

scnool or discipline and training from which
they graduated twenty-seven years ago. Step
ping from broken ranks" to the field, work.
shops, counter. desks and professions into the
balls of legislation, the councils of the nation;
called to preside over the affairs of this great
republic, each was obedient to authority, mind
tul OF duty, brave in disaster. loyal to law and
order; in word bristling with those qualities
which lie at the foundation Of all success. If
the soldier were the progenitor of the success
fu citizen then national honor demands that he
snail frown upon all attempts to belitte the de-
tenders Of the nation. feel that the ex-soldier,
presidents, governors and all hberty-loving
American citizens must brand the sentiment Of
disrespect to the ''vetcrans." or the subtle
poison will stain the pages Of history with the
beiief that patriotism and valor in the Union
army were myth, and that loyalty to the coun-
try Is no longer to be called virtue.
PATRIOTIC ORDER.
The precepts of this great order appeal to the
patriotism Of every man who wore the Union
blue; every Union soldier should give it his
influence and support and wear at all times the
badge of loyalty, the bronze G.. A. r. button.
This emblem is a silent protest against "snecrs'
at the old veteran it is the honor mark Of the
republic. 1t rivets attention to the fact that
men still live who deserve to be remembered
with whatever belongs to the prosperity,
liberty and renown of our country.
As we look back over the long line of distin-
glished comrades whose patriotic devotion to
tnelr country and inspiring presence upon the
battlefields oftentimes stimulated us to deeds of
valor, but who no longer answer to "roll CALI
In our encampments. we are forcibly reminded
that death has been busy in our ranks; but the
memory of their heroic achievements and
manly virtues will live long after the Grand
Army OF the Republic ceases to exist. Let the
example of their lives be an incentive to us all
to 30 live and discharge our duties ~ citizens
with that loyalty to country and fidelity to
duty, 80 that when We shall have reached the
end of life's journey and joined those gallant
comrades whose lives were sacrificed to their
country's liberty, future generations will read
with wonder how two great armies commended
for four long years. where nearly million of men
on one side and the other yielded up their lives
in that great civil conflict, and when the con-
test ended those great araies melted away like
the snow on the hill tops under the beams of a
MONDAY sun. Resuming the peaceful voca-
tons of civil life, the nation moved on once
more in a career Of unparalleled progress, pros
perity and happiness so that when our names
shall be inscribed on the roll Of the dead of the
Grand Army of the Republic we shalt deserve
to be remembered by those who survive us, and
upon our last resting places may flourish the
evergreens of n fond and enduring memory.
During my official term have visited twenty
five departments, responded to numerous invi-
tations to reunions and public gatherings, re-
auiring months of time and labor. travelling
nearly 40 900 miles, and my only REGRET is that
| was unable to meet with several departments,
as they met on the same date and the places Of
meeting were too far apart to reach them in
time. And notwithstanding l have given up
nearly the entire year to the work of the order
feel that my efforts have been but feeble to
serve all my comrades and do justice to the
great Office. had some misgivings that my
health and strength would not be equal to nv
will to serve you and stand the strain OF the
fatigue of long travels, but it proved to be a
year of pleasure, although TO business man
not one of profit. But the only earthly con-
ISOLATION one finds in this life is in occupation.
Nature appears just toward men; it recon-
penses them for their sufferiugs and to the
greatest tolls are attached the greatest compen-
sations. mans greatest reward as he goes
through life is to feel that in a measure he may
have rendered some service in administering to
the comforts and happiness of his fellow
men. 1t is this feeling that stimulates
him to labor and aids him in reaching his
proper destiny. The recollection Of a useful
lite is not terminated by time, but is ms bound
less AZ eternity. / shall always remember with
affectionate gratitude the cordial and hearty
greetings extended to the chief of this great
order, both from comrades and citizens in
whatever part Of this country he visited. In
justice to the men against whom we contended
for four long wears l desire to say that not
withstanding the Incorporate attacks made
upon me by some of the southern journals, on
account of my order in reference to the flag Of
our couhtry, during my visit to the depart
ment encampment in Augusta, Ca, met many
ex-confederate soldiers from whom l received
a cordial greeting. and I believe that those
who were bravest in the field have a greater
love of justice and right than those who re-
manned in the rear in the hour of danger, and
glad to take by the hand any brave con-
federate soldier who accepted the generous
fovv .f,ff t<s Ar
day respects the flag of the nation as the en-
blem of reunited people and q reunited
country.
THE LAND OF THE FREE.
Nowhere under the free canopy of heaven
does the sun shine upon land so fair. govern
ment SO free, nation so prosperous, people
so happy as upon this our own beloved America.
n country with all the best aspirations of man.
q country whose wide eXpanse is limited only
by the oceans which roll between continents,
which reaches from almost the regions of
eternal SHOWS; spreads its starry banner to the
sunshine-the flowers and luxuriance of the
tropics and everywhere in this vast domain are
the houses Of freemen. 1t is the land of free
schools. Of free laws and free press, and among
all Its 81, DOC. 900 of human souls slave bears
q fetter; with its luxuriant crops it supplies
food and life to the needy poor of the old
world. while from out Of the depths it is pour
ing its wealth OF gold into the markets Of the
old world. To the worn, the weary and the
down trodden of other lands it opens wide its
arms and here they find shelter liberty and the
pursuits OF happiness, and yet upon such a
country the sun OF its first centennial has but
just gone down. Who lives with a vision SO
vast an eye so prophetic. an imagination SO
grand as to portray the mystic splendor, vast
wealth and national glorieS which shall usher in
the morn of the anniversary of our country's
third century of existence? And yet it will be-
and II lis well that occasions like these should
bring together each year the comrades who
made it possible that our country should be
what it is. To cherish old associations review
the memories OF the pas. and with clasped
hands renew that love Of country. that devotion
to that grand old flag OF glory which will be in
the future what it has been in the past. the
emblem of our countrys greatness and happi-
ness And the conquerors say to the conquered,
each now approaching that the preservation Of
the Union WAS the common glory of both, and
the vanquished enjoy an equal share in the
prosperity Of the nation and in all we fought to
preserve, while we cannot forget We unhesi-
tatingly forgive. when gathered at the high
altar of Columbia's capital, to bind anew in
bonds OF fraternity and loyalty the hearts Of all
its sons, and consecrate anew the nation to the
cause of humanity, civilization and progress.
An invitation has been extended to the world
to visit the Columbian exposition. and the
thought comes to me that the dazzling con-
quest of the heroes of ancient times show no
such fruitage as the discovery of a new world
BY Genoese sailor. He brought no plumber
from the treasure houses of the east. but he
found for the people OF all nationalities the