Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-21
COMMANDMENT Chief Palmer then made the
following response:

Gen. Palmcr's Reply.
Mr.. Commissioner: In behalf Of the repre-
sentstives Of the twenty-sixth national encamp-
ment of the Grand Army Of the Republic
return to Won and the citizens of Washington
their heartfelt Acknowledgements for your kind
ard hospitatle welcome to Your beautiful city,
Columbis's capital. II is eminently appro-
PIRATE that we should again meet in
city where. twenty-seven years ago,
al the close Of that great civil con-
review before their gallant leaders the grandest
and most effective army the world had ever
seen. In those days we marched to the grand
music of war. wrea;hed with the garands Of
victory. Yesterday the survivors Of that grand
Union army. which in 1865 we're so repete with
youthful vigor and manly strength. marched
over the same ground, no longer with mus
ke:s on their shoulders and sabers by their
sides. but keeping step to the silvery
strains Of peace, happy in the thought that
the | Mon has been cemented anew. and
citizens of all sections Of orr country look
benignly upon our festivities and rejoice 10 see
the stars and stripes floating supremacy a
reunited people and prosperous nation.
IoCay we have the representatives from
forty-four states; strong in Themselves. they
are the mIgh;ier because they speak for the
haif n million veterans left at home. They
voice the sentiments of the nations defenders.
When they laid aside the weapons of war they
enlisted in the noble work of caring Tor the
weak and feeble. alternating the SORROWS of
the widows and the orphans, and extending aid
TO those worthy comrades with whom they
stood shoulder to shoulder In the field. For
your kind and cordial words of welcome know
my comrades feel truly grateful. Time has
wrought many changes. There is but rem
nant left of that great army of 1865. Thousands
have since passed in review before the com
handkerchief of the universe, and how
many. may | ak, will be left at the end OF
another decade? Many who donned the SOL
der garb in the full vigor of their man.
hood begin to falter: the few that remain are
growing old and feeble. and while time seems
TO be vanishing a dream there viii soon
come 10 us all that final reunion in the great
hereafter. Many visit Washington for the first
time since the close of the contest. Its progress
and beauty Is wonder even in this wonderful
age In which we live. All over this great nation
my comrades have been looking forward to
this occasion with anticipation of great
pleasure, and know from the zeal
and interest displayed by vour committee,
and the generosity of your citizens in provid-
ing for this event. il will be a source of enjoy
ment to all who have attended. and they will
carry back to their respective homes the most
pleasant and lasting remembrances of their
visit to the capital of the nation. Your warm
words of welcome make Us feel already that we
are az home among friends and comrades. and
hope our sojourn in your city will DO such
that our friends and comrades will feel
proud OF their acquaintance with the represen-
tatiyes of orr order. and that we may prove
ourselves not only WORTHY of the compliment
YOU have paid us, but still further commend
and entitle us to the respect and approval Of
our fellow citizens. | know shall hold this
visit i'm cherished rsmembrance Tbi. Gather
inc TODAY brings hack WILDLY 10 our memories
many of the sad scenes of the past, but we are
not here to omen up the closed wounds made in
that great struggle. The Union soldiers are
Who we've h-,vest and hore the brnr, 81 hat,Ia
ara on,o,o ,ba 6rs, 20 1900 $50.
~ fratarnit, o,no,gsf oil sertinnS IF nv co,,.
trv peconc;i;a,io, 81 fnra;Ysnoss
ccr,-,ordabIo in C,,od cit; ION os w. horo;a"
AMI yaior in n GOOD soI5ier and ws r.;n;co =,
thu fect ,bat Iodov yro arc az roaoa 1r;,h III III
nat,ons PM sbnnI3 tbe s,er,, nooo.s,t;., IS
W. a,a;n roc,;-a H. so-,;oas % a. ..;.;
soIdieT'-C;ot grant tba, time nav naxer
come-von ,ronId frd the men ~ Oh .oo,;ors
90 ,b,s e,raa. na.iop standiro sbonIdar 20 abo,,j
dor in the r,nls of Their comn,on 60
try with such an army that tba cnr,b;nad
armies of Other nations wonId fnd il d;aio,it ~
,a,ntr,+o ord q no,to +bo- 10 L. -, ~ -.
og every American citizen .tOne copntrv ord
ona a,T And now Nv com,,;os;o,,a. 80
mir me in NV own heb,If 10 tb.,L yo,, Civ
cereIy and warmly for this welcome 10 onr
order can offer Won nothing in returr ox
cent II he that which now mos, cord;,IIv
te1der- soldiers remambronce and his haart
felt gratitude.
The members Of yonr staff in The Denartme,t
of the Potomac ie.i-e vour attentinp Cor a
fe,r moments for the nurnose Of oresent;na 70
Won a slight testimonial of love and resnect
and their oreat Augmentation Of the vol no..
formed bv Won daring the mast wear which has
resulted in impressine upon the people of this
corntrv the noble nyinciules unon which Ali
GREAT oroanizetiou ia founded and the n.triot;c
work To which the Grand ARMY is pledqed
Your administration OF the affairs 81 tho
Grand Army of the Republic has been highly
successful and the position so ably filled NV
YOUR predecessors has lad in Won fnitbfnl
servant. ever watchfuI of the best interests of
the order. ard actuated by the patri,,ic in
stincts that have brought this ORGANIZATION IN
the high standard which il now eniovs
W. thank Won for tho NAVY ac,s 81 t;ra,oss
and the cheerful word. with which vor Pc
ALWAYS encouraged t,s in the oerform,nea Of orr
duties and We Cherish our associat,on win yo,,
ms ON, of the banuiest eveu,s Of our I;fs
Asa testimonial of our high REGARD for Won
nersonaIlv and oficiaIly il l. NV nr;viIege 70
i5resenr 10 Won ON behalf of xonr aids no ,bo
benartmept of the Potomac hi. oavet vb;cb
embOdies in lite different parts some of the most
interesting events that marked the period of
'he great conilct OUT vi WHICH grew this vast
% ,.' 80 '''N Nien WHICH
The head of the rayel il eomnosed n, four
niece. of wood. This section of yellow n,no
formed a mart of the mortar battery tina. t,ad
the first gan at Fort sumter ON Anril 70 1851
at 4.3Oam
he n Ual cYrtf rop