The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-11-22
DEPARTM EMIT NEWS.
ILLINOIS,

ILLINOIS,
Robinson Post, 274 Thomas Dilar, Com
msnder, Sterling, dedicated its new hall the
other day. The ceremon les consisted of speeches,
vocal and instrumental music aud the presen a
ton of flag. The COMMUNICATIVE Chief, Thos.
6. LAWYER and his Adjutant and Qnartermaste r
honored the occasion by their presence, deliver
ing patriotic speeches that were sppauded TO
che echo by the com rsdes and visitors who filled
tile spacious hall to overflow. Hon. john q.
Mammalian delivered the address of welcome.
Mrs. Amanda st. John, President of the Wom-
aus Relief Corps, presented the Post with a
large silk flag. 1t was accepted by the Com
man6er. The Young Men. Sons of Veterans"
was responded 10 ny Prof. Chaplin, Superintend-
ent of Sterling School.
NEW JERSEY
The comrades of Henry W. Slocum Post, IS.
Paterson, were pleasantly surprised the other
evening by the presen tation OF a beautiful silk
Tag. Mrs. White, on behalf of the ladies,
made the presentation speech. Commander
White responded. Then came another sur
prise-a present of swords and belts for the
officers. Edna Stage daughter of Comrade ID.
w. Stagg in a neat little address, presented
the presiding officer with a ribbon-decked
gsyel. Comrade White made another speech
Of acceptance, addressed to he little lady. A
drum and fife that had served through the
war was then put into service to play 1.-THE
Red, White and Blue" and three cheers were
given for the flag and three for the ladies.
PENNSYLVANIA
Ellis Post. 6, Of Germantown, has been pre-.
scented with valuable collection by William
d. Walters Of Pittsville. Part of the collection
represents a smoldering campfire, made of
wood from Gainess Mill. Gettysburg White
Oak Swamp, Antietam. Fredericksburg, and
Valley Forge. There arc many other relics in
She collection such as wood from the clamp of
trees, wood from the AppOmsttOx apple tree
wood from Libby Prison. ramrod from Gaines's
Mil wood from Hollywood Cemetery. tin plate
from Round Top. old knife from Fort Stead
man, wood from Gen. Meade's Headquarters
Gettysburg; stone from Devils Den, earth,
stone and grass from Cemetery Hill. old cam
teens, cups, etc, from Gravelly Run, wood from
the old frigste Constitution, and bark from the
old Sherry cherry tree. Gettysburg.
WISCONSIN,.
The echo Of the great National Eneamp-
ment is still heard in GAR. circles Com
nander Watrous, in last General Orders, says:
In most respects. the 2sth National En-
esfnpment of the Grand Army of the Republ
held at Piitsburg. Pa, was of the pleas
antest in the history of our great soldier organ
iEation- 1t never met in q more loyal city
city that during the war. raised more money
and did more work in behalf of the Union
army than any city of its size in the North.
y.
IN 1884 as they were TO See US in 1861; and
they spared no pains 10 make our visit one of
genuine pleasure and real profit. The Depart
Eent of Wisconsin salutes the good people of
PittshurR, and thanks them for their cOurtesies
and abundant hospitality"
The Commander has q very different opinion
Of recruiting from that held by most of the
Commanders and in General Orders saws:
am aware that il has been the custom
with Department Commanders to make fire.
Suent appeals to their comrades to recruit
add TO our mem bership. In the past that was
eminently proper / do not say that il would
not be wise and proper 10 still pursue that
course but | am deeply impressed with the
Thought that u is vastly more important that
We center our Efforts upon msssipg and solidify-
Ing our present army, and ing after our
comrades, who. without our watchful care and
aetIVe efforts, may fall by the wsyside for want
OF assistance. Soldiers who for 90 years have
had an opportunity to connect themselves with
the Grand Army of the Republic and have not |
taken advantage OF the oppOriunity-men who |
hsve been urged over and ovsr again to unite
with us-are not entitled TO any further urging
q cur hands. If they come and knock az our
doors, We VIII welcome them; but | do not |
believe in spending any more time and vitality
IN trying TO force them 10 do that which would |
Dc greatly to their interest and pleasure but |
which they have refused so many times in the |
past to do. / would rather know that eyery |
1osb III Tue department OF Wisconsin had taken |
. solemn pledge that no member of the beloved
Order-no ex-soldier Of the Union army
should want for the comforts and necessariss |
Of life during the coming Winter, than to |
Know that plans have been perfected whereby
there would be added TO our membership LOCO |
men, who ought, Of their own accord in their |
own interest, for their own pleasure, to have |
Joiued voluntarily years ago. In this connec-
tion desire 10 call the attention of the COM |
Iades to Chapter 304, Laws of Wisconsin, 1887, |
under which every County in the State is emit
fled TO Soldiers Relief Commission of three
men, who are to distribute fund raised under
that law, 70 soldiers and their families who are
IN need OF assistance. This law enforced-and
you, my comrades. can enforce it-mesns that
no soldier his wife, widow, or his children will
be under the necessity OF going 10 the poor.
house. See 70 il that these commissions are
made up OF citizens whose hearts are in the
right place, and whose patriotism will lead to
night action. 1t is lawful for the commission
to be composed OF three ex-soldiers: but the
soldiers have not asked that they be so con-
stituted, though many are made up ia that
way. The chief thing is to have these cam.
missions composed Of men who will properIv
and thOnghtfully mste out exact Justice to the
soldiers and their needy families. and be EQUAL
ly just to the taxpayers. If your County has
not yet organized such a commission / ask Won
70 take sarly steps to do so. and be prepared
Tor the demands that are almost certain 10 be
made in all portions of the State, to care for
weak. worn, and weary comrades, who else
would suffer. If there are County commits
Sons that are weak and inefficient, move in
the matter OF placing them on a good footing,