The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-09-05
HONOR THE BRAVE
Harrison Speaks for the
Soldiers.
VETERANS ARE NOT BEGGARS
Bows Who Went to the War Did Not
Expect Support From the
Government.

INDIANAPOLIS, Sept NO annual IA
tional encampment week within the his
tory Of the Grand Army of the Republic
ever began more auSpiciously than the
twenty-seventh, which opened in this city
to-day. Thousands upon thousands of
veterans are here tonight and still they
come in train loads. This was reception
day, and the efforts of citizens were ex-
pended in greeting and bidding welcome
Trains have been much delayed to-day
and tonight getting into the Union depot
and the rush is still unabated. 1t is getting
to be a serious question about accom- moda-
tionS for the largest host that Indianapolis
ever tried to entertain.
The election of mmander-in-chief is
the leading topic of discussion among the
veterans The choice is thought to lie be-
tween Captain j. C. 3. Adams of Massa-
chusetts and Major Charles P. Lincoln of
the department of the Potomac, though
number of others are spoken Of including
Postm aster Sexton of Chicago.
The annual session Of the Naval Veter-
ans was called TO order this morning, with
a large attendance. After the rOllcall
Admiral EsdOn delivered the annual ad-
dress. Admiral Osborn. in the course OF
his address, referred feelingly to the short
age of ex-Treasurer FOrtier of Buffalo and
his removal from Office.
The executive report for the year was
submitted by Captain Sears of Baltimore,
showing general interest in the operations
of the order and an increase of member
ship. Rear-Admiral Osborn was then re-
elected, receiving 80 votes against 81 for
Commodore Allen.
At meeting at Camp Wilder this after
noon ex- President Harrison addressed his
old comrades. He spoke of the struggles
and trials OF soldiers in the war and said
III there is any man here who does not
love the Union veteran he does not belong
in Indiana. You will 60 back" said he,
from this meeting to pick up the duties
of yOnr citizenship with higher sense OF
those duties, of glory for this flag than
you had before you came here TO mingle
with those comrades. to listen TO those
stirring songs and stir each other by re-
memhrance Of thnse bloody days"
The citizens executive board gave re-
ception TO the G. a. K. and invited guests
al Tomlinson's Hall tonight, about 5000
being present. The prominent speakers
were ex- President Harrison and Comman-
der-in- Chief Weisssrt
When General Harrison arose TO speak
he was greeted--witt = tremendous out
burst OF applause. He spoke in words OF
welcome TO the Grand Army ard said:
Il look into the faces of men tonight
who have shed their blood and lost their
limbs and walked among us manned and
dismembered in order that our country's
fame might be untarnished.
Can it be possible that while the sur
vivors of this great struggle are with us,
while they walk our streets, generation
has come on forgetful of their great
achievements? Has the moth of avarice,
the canker of greed so entered into the
heart Of this generation that they are un-
mindful of these men? Goo forbid
THE American soldier of the civil war
has not been greedy. lie was not tempted
10 the service by his monthly stipend
The men who went to the front were not
impelled by sordid purposes. and when
the war was over their thought was not of
dependence upon the Government, but
upon their own right arm.
Every boy who had been spared sin the
struggle was anxious to be again at the
plOw, at the shop in the office, to take up
again the work he had laid down, that his
country might live. AS long as God gave
him strength of arm he fought and ate the
bread of independence. Only when he
became the veteran of time did he turn a
hopeful eye toward the Government for
relief.
THE Grand Army has rightfully
claimed that the men who fell by the way
in the battle of life from disease or ad-
vancing years and lost tho capacity to
maintain themselves should be cared for
by the nation they saved and not be de-
pendent upon the township poor farm.
when Congress. in generous recogni-
ton of the rightful claims of the soldier.
has passed law for his benefit. we may
and will demand that it be beneiclally
construed in his behalf. 1t is a familiar
IN maxim of law that remedial legislation is
to have favorable Interpretation in the
interest of the evils to be remedied.
'Secondly-We may and do insist that in
the administration OF the law q soldiers
integrity and honor shall not be wantonly
impeached. [Cheers.J He will not ask
that any who have fraudulently obtained
place upon the pension-rol shall remain
there.
He will ask that the other familiar
maxim Of law, that fraud is to be proven
and not presumed. shall be applied TO
soldiers. [Applause]
This is general principle. and Il can't
go into details) must. think, be acceptable
to every right-thinking, patriotic man."
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