The National tribune., 1894-10-18

items of work in each Corps for Department
| Convention.
DEPARTMENT OF MICHIGAN.
DEAR TRIBUNE: If those who are recognized
| leaders in the Corps throughout our State would
send to their correspondent accounts of relief
and the many good things done on behalf oil
| patriotism and patriotic teaching. they would
| awaken the public to far greater interest in
our cause, and thus help themselves we'll
There is nothing like keeping the public i'm
! formed and in sympathy with what the auxil-
! larry of the Grand Army is doing to make vital
| the great principles Of Fraternity, Charity aud
| Loyalty. And particularly should our young
| people be interested, and in what better way
| can this be done than by disseminating knowl-
edge through patriotic press.
The Department of Michigan, G. AR, has
| now 2i2 Posts with a membership 1872. De
partmeut Commander Louis Kantz urges
every Post without Relief Corps to form one
at once.
PATRIOTIC PROGRAM
Gordon Granger Corps. of Saginaw, arranged
a patriotic program, specially for the children
of the East Side High School, which was happily
carried out.
The Principal, Prof f. c. Goddard, paid a
| touching tribute to the defenders of the flag in
opening the program. He then introduced
Col A. I. Bliss, who gave graphic account of
his experience in Salisbury, Anderson Vile.
Aidcon, ana COlumDla PRISONS, from the latter
OF which he escaped joining the Union lines
near Savannah.
Rev. J. b. Whtford followed with a patriotic
address. He thought we should welcome every
occasion that hOnors chivsry and patriotism
aud initiate the Greeks and Romans who de.
lighted Iii recountng deeds Of valor to their
children. Memorial Days, Camp fres annual
Reunions, anniversary occasions, and others of
similar import are an education TO the young
They are taught the meaning of our flag, and
the G. AR. and the Woman's Relief Corps give
emphasis 10 our flag, and invest it with a kind
of sacramental glory. 1t means the freedom of
the press sovereignty of conscience. dignity of
labor, universal education, and the eufranc ise-
ment OF man, woman and child.
Gordon Granger Corps mOurns the sudden
loss by death of Mrs. Ida Stover rife of i. n.
Slower, and one of the most active and useful
members of the Order. The Corps passed APP
propriate resolutions. and ordered the charter
draped in mourning for 60 days.
Z. Heller, Department Corresponding Secre-
tary.
VISIT TO GETTYSBURG.
DEAR TRIBUNE: 1t was fitting close 10 the
National Eucampmcnt at Pittsburg that our
party should visit the battlefield of Gettysburg
before returning to Massachusetts. 1t was
delightful morning that we rode down through
the Cumberland Valley into the historic little
town of Gettysburg, and we seemed to be m-
bued with spirit of reverence rather than
curiosity in obtaining the facts connected with
the great battle ich turned the tide of war
for the Union army
81 shall enjoy the day so much" I said to a
comrade, for We of the younger generation
are, AS a rule, wholly dependent upon books for
our knowledge concerning the battles"
We all are" he replied " for man in the
thick Of battle could not tell what was taking
place very far away and hence it happens that
mn gn.l1 L -
spot where they were stationed, but find them
selves mistaken"
To the soldiers who fought in this battle
come memories experienced by no other as
they reverently aud thOughtfuliy search out
the place where they were stationed. and all
the horrors of seem to pass before their
gaze like vast panorama.
Bnt who among those who have visited Get
tysburg can hear Little Round Top, Devils
Den, Valley of Death, Peach Orchard, Wheat
field, or any Of the historic points of interest
corrected with this battle, mentioned without
some conception of the herosm manifested that
We might remain one country indivisible"?
drank from the sparkling waters of Spang-
ler's Spring, where both the blue and gray had
quenched their thirst, and near by one could
see the breastworks which had been thrown up
more than ~ years ago, silent monuments to
many life sacrificed, and yet more eloquent
than human language could express.
Finally we came to what is known as the
high water mark" in the rebellion, where
Picketrs charge was made and as we sat in
the carriage, listening to the graphic descrip-
ton OF Capt. James ]. Long. | could but think
that even nature was IN sympathy with the
scene, for heavens artillery rumbled over
head, and frequent flashes of lightning warned
us storm was fast approaching
And what can one say of the impression made
upon our minds as we gazed in admiration
upon the magnificent monuments erected
mostly by the survivors of the di fferent regi-
ments in honor of their fallen comrades Ex-
qusitely chiseled with the utmost skill and
care, they bespeak the love and constancy of
their donors more truly than words from any
orator.
Capt. Long spoke of the intelligence of MANY |
children who visited the battlefield, which |
showed an interest taken in the history of our |
country, many of them being able to locate |
important historical points. and making in |
qniries which gave evidence of thoughtful |
study.
II would be a grand object lesson. especially |
to the young, for the Government to own the |
whole OF this large tract of land, keeping it as |
lar AS possible in the same condition it was in
in 1863.
Hattie A. Bray. Department Corresponding
Secretary, Lynn, Mass.
THE FOUNDER OF ORPHANS HOMES
The recent death of Andrew G. Curtin. OF
Pennsylvania, one of the great war Governors
who held the Union true, recalls the fact that
he was the leader of the movement TO estab-
ism Soldiers Orphans Homes where the chill
iren of deceased aud disabled comrades might
De trained for lives Of usefulness.
III June, 1862, the Pennsylvania Railroad L
Company offered Gov. Curtin $50, 900 to equip
roops for the service. Having no authority to
accept the gift, he suggested to the PennsyI- h
Vania Company the desirablity of devoting
he fund TO the establishment of a soldiers
home. of which even then there was need. The
PROJECT was brought to the attention of the
Legislature but received no encouragement.
Gov. Curtin then requested Prof J. p. Wick
'rsham, of Lancaster To draft IL bill covering
he education aud maintenance of the orphan
children of honorably discharged soldiers or
aiors of Pennsylvania. After much dilatory
egislatjOn orphans homes were established in
of which it may be- said that
iov. Curtin was the rightful founder. \
Naval Veterans.
Having been elected Rear Admiral ut the
linth annual Conv ention, held in PIttsburg
sept. 10, Francis b. Allen has assumed com
naud with HeauouaTterS at al Willard CT |