Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1893-08-03
q. A. r. VS.. w. r. G..
Review of the Proceedings of the
Social, ENTHUSIASTICALLY 20.
Presentation Speech and
Happy Response.

families at Post headquarters Wednes-
dav evening. July Goth. Among other
pleasant features was the presentation
Of Silk Banner by our G. A. X. Post-a
surprise to the ladies'. Post Commander
Warner made the address in behalf of
the Post, as follows:
LADIES OF GEN. CRoCKEG CORPS, No, 25:-If
l have been appointed to perform a duty, il is
a pleasant duty, though my ability to use the
English language l fear is insufficient for the
occasion.
Volumes of history have been written upon
the Civil War, but there are volumes never
written, in which the loyal women of this
country acted an important part, not alone in
deeds of self sacrifice and heroism at the front,
but in encouragement and words OF sympathy
at the loyal north. Among my first remem.
brance of those days of carnage was the pre-.
pairing Of bandages and lint for the army; and
10 many cases the women did the work of the
rather, brother and husband that they might
enter the union army, and when the sick or
crippled soldier CHANGED 10 return TO the old
homestead, you were there to relieve as far as
possible his sufierings. You were at the front
also, in hospital and camp, and happy was the
boy in blue who could grasp the hand of wo-
men in his hours of suffering and have his eyes
closed In the sleep of death by the same ten
der touch: these were the first Relief Corps
whose work has been perpetuated TO the pres
ent time, and whose mission is still to help onr
comrades in sickness and distress.
Your society has in its membership not on IN
those who are related 10 the veteran, but others
whO from purely loyal motives have joine d
you. All honor to you, may your shadows
never grow less"
Your organization will outlive ours Though
time has dealt kindly with Genera,
CrOcker Pos), for which we rejoice with on
friends tonight. We are not as handsome as
we were in the Cos, bat we have the same de
vOtion for our country, made stronger during
these passing years, and we still have an In.
tense desire for Its welfare. You may always
count on US as being loyal; we are no politiea,
Organiza ton, and we advocate different poll
tIcal theories, but no act Of treason will eve,
com e from the men who defended this nat ION
from 81 10 '65. We do not want the earth as
some people seem to think though we
saved this country from d dissolution, We claim
no II ore Of II than any other citizen, REALIZING
tina t while 1t is your country, it is our country
too, and we wish all to enjoy 1t with our pos
terity for generations TO come. There is a
m ission for your society after We are gone, in
teaching lessons of patriotism, to recount tC
coming generations The deeds of valor per,
formed b. their fathers, and to inspire in all a
| love for country and the highest type of Anne.
riCan citizenship.
AS an expression Of our appreciation of your
services in The past as we'll as what you are do.
ing at present, allow me to in the name of
Croker Post, No. 20. and other comrades, pres
ent you this banner, 1t represents the gift OF
nearly every member ofthis Post, all of which
was given freely, as you know il would lie.
have now performed the duty assigned me.
Take this banner; we know it will be used
W orthily; and as your eyes behold it let it re,
mind you of this pleasant occasion and the
faces you see before you now These words
we have spoken will soon perish, they may
rot live till tomorrow's sun shall rise, but the
memories OF the present will outlive the words
and appear as a brigh I spot in our too mono.
tinous lives. God bless you"
Respon ded to 10y Mrs. Sarah NJ. Ray
Past Presiden t, w X. c.:
"DEAR CoMRADEs:This occasion is where sur.
prlse and pleasure commingle TO make a joy,
Gus whole. This Deautifnl banner presented
rs by Gen. Croker Pest is OF manifold signi
fcance. 1t speaks TO US not alone as an EN-
blem of our order, but it carries US back to the
time that tried mems souls, yes. women's souls
an IT is meet tina we shoul be auxiliary tc
the Grand Army of the Republic. But at this
time there is anothe that carries us above anc
beyond these primary causes, and that is the
unity existing between our beloved Post AND
CORPS. On the LIST day of June, 1889, our broth
ers extended to us iraiernal fellowship. and
during the four years that have intervenet
peace and harmony have prevailed.
When look upon this offering of love ant
into your dear faces, ] see interviewer in let
ters of gold and kindly expression. the spiri
IN which il W as given. When l glance int
the faces ofyour co-workers | see countenan
ces illuminated with exceeding Joy, Tor this Il
a time of great rejoicing This treasure o.
treasures is one we have long coveted, an
vour brotherly insight has OWNED our desires
when we least expected it.
And now In behalf of Gen. Croker Corps
ox,ena 10 YOU our heartfelt thanks, not al
,,a,oer but as wives, .mothers, sisters ant
Japgbters. and we earnestly hope our fraterna
reIstions may be as harmonious In the future
as in the past
After the presentation refreshments
were brought from the goat room by the
ladies, and after all were served exer
cises were resumed by Fred II. Russell
Of Roslyn, on the Battle OF Chickama
o,ap MIR. Russell wishes to correct his
,orv and place that battle among oui
r;ctor,es. Fred received a gunsho'
wonnd in that engagement. but claims
he was not whipped.
POST Commander Abbott responded tt
!, toast. SC. A. X. and w. X. u. gIvini
. beautiful tribute TO the I'M OF thu
war and the part they took in putting
down the Rebellion.
those who felt like il took more re
frashments, and after hearty handshak
nv, dispersed, feeling il had been soo'
= he there, and hoping for more OF tn
ane kiud in the near future.