The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-08-17

COL. JAMES r. HALLowELL.
the devotion of it's people to our institu.
| tions of state. Yet, prior to 1861, much
| doubt as to our stability existed among
foreign statesmen and scholars, and even
at home many fair minded men were faint
| ed with fear OF the future. But the first
gun of civil war, fired as it was in the in
terest of the sectional institution Of slavery,
| aroused the patriotism of every loyal citi-
zen and set burning afresh the fires OF
liberty. The response to the call for men
to become soldiers indeXed in day the
strength of this nation, demonstrating to
| all doubters the great stability of the
American government and proclaiming
the powers of our constitution for self
preservation and perpetuity. A million
| of men offered to become soldiers,
prompted by their love of country. The
devotional fires set burning by the first
shot in the early spring of that year, grew
until they became confagration; sweep
| ing all other considerations aside, rallying
round the altar of this great republic of
the west. it continued until two and three
| quarter millions of men were soldiers-an
army such as the world had never gazed
upon. Tne doubt that existed was dis
PEELED. Victory after victory gave conf
| dence to the doubling Thomases of our
own land.
1T was struggle without a parallel
father against son, child against sire,
brother against brother. The effort to
forever fix the one dark stain Of the con.
stitution, the fruit of the early compro-
mise among the colonies, utterly failed;
and with the bayonet of freedom this
grand army struck from our magma charta
the hateful provision that our erring
brothers had determined to make indeli-
bic, and, failing, 10 set up new govern
ment, severing that of Washington, JEFF
ferson and Hamilton.
During this contest, this struggle on
your part, while in the successful per-
Torrance of duty by each and every one,
laid a foundation and formed the first or
ganization of the Grand Army of the Re-
public. 1t gave rise to our association,
it was the birthplace of our order, and the
same devotion to the country, the same
love of the flag characterizes your every
action today in connection with the duties
devolving upon US as members of that or
ganizaiion. In all my experiences since
the close of that memorable struggle, in
my contact with the comrades of the
Grand Army, / have found but two who
for moment regret the services rendered
the country during the dark days of the
rebellion.
AT the termination of our duties as
soldiers and upon our return to our homes,
while yet ia the beautiful dawn of peace,
the Grand Army of the Republic. as
known by our people today, took shape
per force ..of the associations and friend
ships growing out of continual contact
during the days of our battles and marches,
and it is not improperifor me to call tolyo9r
attention fraternity, charity and loyalty,
the three great principles of our organiza-
ton.
Fraternity: To preserve and strengthen
those kind and fraternal feelings which
bind together the soldiers, sailors and
marines who united to suppress the late
rebellion, aud to perpetuate the memoly
and history OF the dead
Charity: TO assist such former COM
rades in arms as need hel p and protection,
and to extend needfui aid to the widows
and orphans of those who have fallen.
Loyalty: To maintain true allegiance
to the United States of America, based
upon paramount respect for ana fidelity
to its constitution and laws; to discounte-
nance whatever tends to weaken loyaly,
incites to instruction, treason or rebel
lion, or in any manner impairs efficiency
and permanency of our free institutions;
and to encourage the spread of universal
liberty, equal rights and justice to all
men.
You will observe by these three
declarations of important principles,
members OF the Grand Army OF the Re
public and exrebel soldiers cannot be
placed on the same footing, and hence
our organization contains no enemies to
the government. To preserve and
strengthen the golden cord that runs
the entire life and association of
my comrades in arms and to breath afresh |
the principles of our order, to mingie once !
more as an army, we come. Under the |
beautiful foliage Of natures own grove, |
we assemble here today. Here you will |
talk Of Manassas and Bull Run. Here /
you will recite the story of Donelson and |
Shiloh. Here the trenches and mines of |
Vicksburs will be redug aud rebuilt. Here |
Pea Ridge and Prairie Grove Wilson's |
creek and Mine Run will be recounted |
Here the Wilderness and the Spotsylvanla /
court house will be freshly detailed Here
at Atlanta and the march to the sea will |
be refought and remarched. Then taking |
OF New Orleans will I've pictured by some |
hero OF the navy or by some of the army |
who were there. The opening OF the |
will be discussed and tales of /
the various battles fought in the vicinity /
once more related. Stone river and |
ChickamAugua, Nashville and Franklin |
ed about your campfres, songs and /
stories, aud Lookout mountains VIII t
again be fought In the clouds. Gettys-
burg VIII be placed upon canvass, aud |
Antletam held up TO be once more gazed /
upon by you. Sheridan's ride viii be
sung. The battle OF winchester viii be
told of as one OF the most daring of the i
war. Petersburg, Richmond aud Apo
naIox viii once more come fresh TO your
minds, and the scenes OF a thousand other
contests from the fields OF which the men
" ho are gathered here today once marched
Is victors, will be repeated in their own !
words and from their own knowledge.
Groups of you will gather and Iinger /
speaking of the heroism and strategy Of
ne greatest captain OF them all, Grant; |
and of his compeer, Sherman: aud OF that
sturdy hero of Gettysburg, Hancock; and
# the rock of Chicamauga, Thomas; and
II the hero OF the cavalry arm of the ser
Tice, Sheridan; of the great volunteer SOL
iIer, Logan; and OF Mead and Rosecraus
ina host OF others who made american
Irms more TespleEdent than those OF the
I'D world. Il Is here, my comrades you
ome 20 renew your love Of country. II
5 here you Will repeat and talk over the
history OF our messmates. your comrades
4 tbs company, telling anew the daring
cts that lei 10 your admiration and love
Z Is here that the true soldier, meeting in
warm embrace, breast 10 breast, miugliug
he tnro5s oi soldiers hearts, whisper de-
otion to-1Ae flag
I'VE have seen that the object Of our