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

were the actors in this drama, speaking their
own thoughts in their own words II this
knowledge was in their possession they held
the remedy in their own hands. In fact. il was
their duty to investigate and eliminate from the
rolls the name of anv man who could not pro-
duce an honorable discharge from the Union
army. They say: Notwithstanding we
believe that the orders of the COM
mander-in-chief 10 recognize these pre-
tended posts is wholly unwarranted
by the rules and regulations and add: BE.
hevlng that the sentiments of a vsst ma joritv
OF the comrades Of the twentv-ifth national en-
Compliment was unlualifedly liz favor of recog-
MIXING these pretended posts, regardless Of
whether they had a right in the G. A. Il. or
not, and Is too strong TO be connteracted by
any means in our power. rather than Weld. &c.
Therefore be i; resolved that
the charter of this department be and the same
IL hereby surrendered. and the Department of
Louisiana and Mississippi disbsnded." Their
mode OF reasoning Is. TO say the least. pecu-
harly illogical. They concede that the senti-
ment of the national encampmeut was unauali-
hedly In favor OF recognizing these posts, but
the action OF the commander-in chief in sus-
tanning the unqualified expression Of the ma
honal encampment wholly unwarranted and
rather than weld 10 The rules of the order they
sought to destroy the organization in that de-
partment But their hasty and unwise course
did not accomplish their purpose.
meeting of the department encampment OF
Louisiana and Mississippi under the reorgani-
cation was held in the city OF New Orleans
La, August 6. 1892, where the delegates from
thirteen posts were present and participated in
the proceedings. / am advised that this en-
campment was the most harmonious in the his
tory of that department Ii Is represented to-
day in this encampment by full delegation,
who speak for all the comrades in the depart
ment, regardless of color or nationality, with
tie gratifying assurance that there are no con-
tests except the contest TO see who can best
serve the interests of the order: and the num-
Der OF comrades attending the tweutv-sixth
national encampment has never been equaled in
the history of that department.
In dealing with this Subject ] was not actu-
ated By an unkind thought toward a single COM
rade in this department. They had encoun-
tered no real resistance up to the time of the
twentv-hfth national encampment. |. was
known that there were disintegrating forces at
work, which the national encampment con-
Guided was time to arrest, and in the discharge
OF duty incumbent upon me under my oath of
Office | did it without either feeling fear or
prejudice. Personally NV relations with the
comrades in this department had for many
years been most cordial l distinc tlv remember
III 1879, during the prevalence of an epidemic
with which our southern brothers were afflicted
the best evidence of our fraternity and charity
was the prompt and generous response to their
appeals for aid. and several thousand dollars
were subscribed and sent into that department
by the comrades of the order. No attempt was
made by the national encampment TO interfere
with a single constitutional right of any COM
rade of that department. The same privileges
were extended TO them as to all other comrades
In the order, not the privilege 10 do what they
pleased. but to do what was right.
The life of an organization. like the life of
man. may be prolonged in honor TO the fullness
of Its time. or it may expire prematurely for
want OF proper guidance, bv violence or inter-
nal IN hat r..l lsal sl-.s,-
bring about a complete dissolution of the life of
this department was saved by a critical opera
non, and the diving patients life extended for
future years of prosperity and yfaness.
THE LOYAL WOMEN.
cannot speak with too much eervor OF the
beneficent work done by the LOYAL Snmen for
the needy veterans and their families. As the
veterans reach nearer the end OF lifes tourney
they become more feeble and need the care of
some friendly hand. and to the noble women,
who by their acts of love and devotion to suffer
ing humanity-many during the war and a
greater number since--mert our grateful ac-
acknowledgements ard unbounded praise.
For many Years they have worked assiduously
to secure for the women who braved all the
horrors of the hospitals during the war a
simple act of justice. and al last their efforts
have been rewarded BY the granting of a pen
sion to all army nurses. which is source of
every loyal woman.
SONS OF VETERANS.
The patriotic purposes of this organization
deserves the cordial support of every member
of the Grand Army of the Republic spirit
of loyalty pervades the hearts OF these bows and
us WAS well said by former communicating
chief. ''We -hould do everything in our power
TO aid them in their work They are our bows.
and to them we must soon commit our trust
l desire TO express to them my grateful ac-
Acknowledgements for the many coUrtesies re-
ceived az their hands during ny visits TO the
different departments and best wishes for their
future success and prosperity.
MEMORIAL DAY.
With Memorial day comes the expression Of a
nations gratitude for the brave men who suf-
fered death that their blood might seal the
unity of the nation. The ceremony of strewing
the early flowers of spring upon the graves of
the men who laid down their lives for their
country is beautiful and touching one. Al
though time has in q measure mellowed the
grief of the cOuAtry for its dead. still memorial
dag retains its original charac teristics and in
creases in interest each succeeding wear All
strife ceases upon this dav consecrated to pa
triotism, and blind ambition halts in its head
long career to pause at the graves of the ma
tion's heroes and contemplate the greatness of
the cause for which they Offered UP their lives.
II there is anything that softens the heart
and intensifes patriotism, it is to stand at the
graves of the men who sacrificed their lives for
their country. The American people honor
the dead Union soldier not because he slew so
many of the foe. but because he gave up even
life itself in the performance of duty So
long as the observance of the day is kept in all
its genuineness and purity, not given up TO
frivolity and amusement. it will impart TO all a
truer sense of the obligations resting upon US
-reaping what the living and the dead have
sown we now enjoy the priceless blessings of
peace and prosperity to life and property.
There are imposing monuments 10 general
officers, whose marble is none too eloquent in
their praise; there are pages of history which
tell none too fo-cibly their achievements; but
there are also simple mounds in country church
yards, there are unknown graves in southern
fields. inclosing the ashes of heroes to whom
chilling circumstances forbade distinction. 1t
matters little to these men whether monu-
mental granite marks the spot where they await
the last roll call. the night tattoo of death has
sounded for them its last notes. but tney will
have died in vain if from the inspirations Of
Memorial day the vouth of our land learn no
lesson. For what did these men die? They
died that the nation might live; they died That
this land should be an asylum for liberty-loying
men all over the world: they died to make this
land Of ours such that the songs of the laborers
OF all nationalities, in our valleys and on our
hills. should swell and commingle with the free
anthem of America
Let Memorial day teach the rising generation
that the liberty and the government which
were established and sustained at such terrible
cost should be by them Welded nm only whom