The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-01-11
THE RELIEF CORPS,
Gleanings from National Headquar-
ters---NOteS from the Departments
FRATERNITY, CHARITY, LOYALTY.

FRATERNITY, CHARITY, LOYALTY.
| Beautiful Address of National Inspector
Mary L. Bancroft in Presenting n Flag to
| Col. John T. Toland Post, of the Ohio Sol
| diers and Sailors Home.
| There has been very general desire to see
in print the beautiful address made by Mary
E. Bancroft Past Department President of
Ohio, and present National Inspector, W.R.C,
in presenting the flag from the Department of
Ohio, W.R.C, to Col. John T. Toland Post,
| GAR, w. L. Jones Commander.
| 1t was a thrilling scene when the call for
presentation was made, and Mrs. Bancroft
under military escort, with the Color-Bearer
carrying the flag, appeared from the rear of tho
Opera House, aud marching forward took their
places on the platform. The address made upon
this occasion shows how closely linked are
the men who saved the Nation with the women
associated with them in their immortal work.
MRS. CHAIRMAN AND FRIENDS: The history
OF the civil war, its causes and results since the
close of that long and bloody strife, has been
written time and again, and for generations to
como will be the theme of the future historian of
the Republic. To me the war of the rebellion
was not all military conflict; it was not
struggle for supremacy OH the battlefield alone,
but one of comb ined intellectual and physical
power; in fact. it was complete revolution.
in which the hereditary customs and life of
those who sought to destroy our Nation were
entirely changed.
An important fact in this connection, which
is most gratifying to note, is that in the Re-
I
throughout the country we observe a general
recognition of the work of women during the
war, continuing until the present date, and of
her part in the National successes also, the
appreciation expressed by the generous broth.
erhood of man in this regard.
Bat it has been most pleasant to realize that
the work of woman in war was everywhere. 1t
was the work of snccor, relief, and mercy. It
was the alienation Of pain. the binding up of
bleeding wounds, the bandaging of cuts, the
cooling OF fever. the soothing of suspense and
sorrow; the assuaging of agonies upon the
field. the preventing of despair to breaking
hearts at home. and all with forge,fnlness of
SELF fatigue, or illness that at the time often
seemed superhuman.
1t was the nightly sitting by the delirious
pillow, the holding OF the dying hand the
taking of the dying message, the giving of
the whole strength TO the leaning, shrinking
soul stepping down into the dark, cold aud
unknown waters; it was following the hos
pital flag into all dangers, perhaps into death
for themselves even, aud often into lifelong
disabilities
And at home il was the needle woman, the
lint-scraper, the letter writer, the woman Ient
her hot fires making jellies, sweetmeats
cakes. daintes for valescent appetites. IL
was the woman helping in the great soldiers
aud sailors iairs, and in the band of the SAM
tary Commission.
To many of us the events of that great
rebellion. SO long ago. when the fife and drum
were heard over broad land, calling men
TO arms, seem like q dream. We little thought
in those sad hours OF the long aud terrible
confict that was 10 wage, nor of the noble
mission soon to come to US Of duties We must
assume. which, God giving grace and strength,
the noble, loyal women OF the Nation have day
10y day aud year by year so faithfully per-
formed.
Again will / rereat the words I did one year
ago, from the soui-siirring poems Of our own
gifted. brilliant, much-loved sister aud friend
our ideal Chairman, Kate b. Sherwood:
What said we then? Go forth brave hearts. Go
where the bullets rattle;
For us la plan, for to pray, for you TO win the
battle.
What say we now7
have spoken
In our Iliad-, in anthems. in prayers. weak
and broken,
In statues proudly rising, In the statutes none
From The records OF a Union scaled forever and
forever.
Comrades, sensible OF the fact that there are
few stronger ties in life than that which binds
yOnr hearts together, we yet believe there exists
also deep warm friendship for the loyal
women who extend neediul aid and comfort in
your declining years.
To every ex-soldier and sailor present who
dOnned the Union blue and carried a musket,
drew a saber or cutla-s. and drank from the old
canteen, would say. God bless you one and
all, and in his infinite wisdom give you grace
and strength for your needs, and at last a home
with him in Paradise.
Commander aud comrades of Col. John T.
Toland Post, Department of Ohio, very
pleasant and tender duty has heen entrusted
to me by our Chairman on behalf of the De-
partmeut of OHIO Woman's Relief Corps. /
should fail in this duty, and be unfaithlul TO
the promptings of grateful hearts were / not
to express our appreciation of your gallant
service and the noble organization to which
you belong.
Col. John T. Toland. the brave soldier for
whom your Post was named, was killed in
action at Wytheyille. Va. July 49, 1863. You
may we'll be proud Of his record and the name
you bear. The Grand Army of tho Republi
has for its motto Fraternity, Charity and
Loyalty" and every honorably discharged
Union veteran should be in its ranks.
AS the late Union army was always broad
enough to include all, no matter what might
be their differences of opinion as to men and
measures, the Grand Army of to-day is
broad enough to welcome TO its ranks every
veteran whose heart still beats responsive to
the music Of the Union. This noble associa-
ton letters the conscience of no member-it
gives the largest liberty TO ali, nor has it any
purpose that it is unwilling to reveal to the
world.
The Woman's Relief Corps best eulogy is its
magnificent record of what il has accomplished
since 1888, not IN its relief work alone but the
part IT has borne in aiding the Grand Army to
secure such legislation as to make happier and
better the veterans aud their dependents.
Commander, In remembrance of by-gone
days. the march, bivouac and hard fought fields
where comrades fell and lines melted away
like snow-fakes, in recognition of your un-
swerving zeal and loyalty TO the noble prnc-
pies OF your Order, on behalf of the Depart
ment Of Ohio Wonan's Relief Corps present
TO you this testimonial. embematic of our
grand happy and reunited country.
Accept this fag carry it in your peaceful
marches. and as the years glide Ivy and your
ranks grow thinner aud the roll-call shorter
may tb flag and this OCCASION be sacredly
Cherished in remembrance of grateful hearts
and faithful friends, you rejoice afresh i'm
the glorious spirit of Fraternity, Charity and
Loyalty"