Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1894-09-29
G. A. R. Reunion at Phillipsburg.
(Communicated.l

Leaving nome on the 81 INST, we ar
rived here in time to rest and be ready
to visit the Old Soldiers Reunion at
Phillipsburg on the 18th, 18th and 18th.
At 3 O'Clock p. m. OF the first day
the old soldiers and citizens from several
different counties and some of whom
ourselves included had travelled sixty
or seventv-five miles congregated about
the speakers stand to listen to the open
ing address by Hon. S. q. Cook, one of
the managers of the Soldiers Home at
Leavenworth.
The principal theme of this address
seemed to be to impress upon the minds
of the coming generation that in the late
rebellion of the United States the one
side was as much to blame as the other
and, as an illustration, related an in
cident while laying on the battle
field wounded and dying with rebel
bullet in his nose, rebel straggler hap
pened to pass along and acted as a min
istering angel and gave him drink of
water, made a pillow of his knapsack
and blanket and. after assuring him his
case was hopeless, left him without even
relieving him of his watch, chain and
money.
A reasonable person is willing to ac-
knowledge there are good people among
all denominations, all creeds and all
classes. But when an individual at
tempts to make an impression on the
minds of union-lovlng community that
rebellion is right simply, because he has
met one honest man in the South, he
had better save his breath to blow his
porridge. And if this same Union SOL
der could have heard the replies of in
dignation which followed his remarks
from old veterans and cared one farthing
for his reputation, he would have
thought he paid dear for the little salary
he is getting under the present admin
istration.
There were three bands in attendance
the Phillipsburg brass band and two
martial bands. The camp fire which
followed the band concert in the even
ing conducted by Major Drunhiller in
his humorous manner was not to be ex-
celled.
The second day we listened to ad-
dresses by Judge Culver, Rev. J. H.
Lockwood, past department chaplain,
and in the afternoon Bernard Kelly by
accident stopped off at Phillipsburg, and
although he had not anticipated deliver
ing an address to the old comrades nor
written out a sermon tOread off to them,
he spoke to the extent of two hours.
believe and it was as if the words were
put into his mouth. He neither made
apologies nor asked for printed statistics
but presented plain truths and facts
which no true American citizen cares to
refute. None but those who have list
ened to him can realize the enthusiasm
with which he seems inspired on such
an occasion.
Another successful camp fire at night,
conducted by Jacob Nipps, closed the
exercises for the second day.
The third day opened with an address
by Hon. VIM. Baker. But as we had
been out on such occasions where this
worker OF reform and economy had
don't take to writer sermons, we re-
manned in camp and sent substitutes to
the front. Our substitutes tell us
that he was cheered at the close of his
remarks, and that an old veteran of two
wars remarked, we are cheering because
he quit talking.
In the afternoon Laura NJ. Johns made
plea of about an hours length for
woman suffrage which was very well re-
ceived.
General j. G. Caldwell was the next
speaker. He told his comrades to stand
by and up for the Union which they had
left homes and fresides, property and
everything which man holds most dear
on earth to protect and save from disso-
luton. He said we don't wish to talk
politics, but as the speaker in the morn
ing, had unloaded speech so chuck full
OF partisan politics, he was drawn into
it and must refute few of the SANDER
GUS charged made against the people Of
this Union and of old Kansas To Judge
from the cheers and the enthusiasm
with which he was greeted, one would
say the people were with him in his con-
victions.
must not forget to mention the adj
dresses delivered by the young men, al
though we are always ready and eager
TO listen to the old veterans, we are none
the less appreciative of the patriotic
words spoken by those who have been
born and reared since the war. Andrews
of Logan, Johnson of Agra, and Royce
of Phillipsburgs, would do credit to
older if not wiser heads. Taking it all
in all the reunion was very pleasant
affair, and we came away tired but ready
to participate IN the next one which
comes in reach.
JENNIE BLACKWELL,
Corps At. Collyer, Kan.