The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-09-06
THE RELIEF CORPS.
Gleanings from National Headquar-
ters---NOteS from the Departments

|
TWELFTH NATIONAL CONVENTION.
Historic Cannon Made Into Badges-Some-
thing of What the Departments Are
Doing.
| HISTORIC BADGES.
The Executive Committee of the 2Sth Ma
| tional Encampment, G. A. R., executed MASTER
| stroke when they secured through Congress an
| order to use one of the discarded cannons at
the Pittsburg armory. to be made into badges
for the veterans and their faithful asraga
allies
These cannons have quite a history, and
above their grim iron sides were heard the
first loud protests of the loyal North against
the intrenchment, by armed force of the slave
power.
This was in 1860. The rebel Secretary of
War had ordered the Pittsburg cannons to be
loaded on an Ohio River steamer and trans
ferred to New Orleans 1t was thrilling
time. One of the cannons was taken from the
armory to the wharf, and the United States
troops were trying to load it, when down came
a perfect tornado of patriotic Indignation, in
the shape of trong-limbed, strong-wiled fear
less men. They seized the cannon and whirled
it back to the armory, informing the amazed
soldiers that he who touched it did so at his
peril.
There was stormy protest, in public assem-
blages, and President Buchanan was bonn
barded with circumstances until he had re-
vcked the order, of which, it is fair to add, he
knew nothing.
1t has since developed that a prominent
Pittsburg citizen had sworn in q score of boys,
who were to take employment on the river
steamers, pledged at the peril of their lives, to
scuttle and sink any boat attempting to carry
ha to III
to have been the first volunteers of the war
that broke out few months later.
This is the history of the cannon from which
the badges to be made. How proud and
happy we women will be to share with the vet
Grams i'll wearing them, associated, as they will
be, with such memorable deeds
DEPARTMENT OF MAINE.
Headquarters Department of Maine National
Convention week will be at the Boyer House,
Pittsburg. Grand Army and Relief Corps men,
bers and friends welcomed cordially.
W.R.C. Day at the annual soldiers muster at
Camp Benson, Lake Sebastcook, was enjoyed
by large number of Maine workers for the
old soldiers, and proved a very profitable gather
ing. The ritual was exemplifed in the morn
ing and in the evening fine Campfire was held.
Department President Ella Jordan Mason,
commenting upon General Orders No. T. of
National President Sarah G. Mink, in which,
by request Of the Committee on Legislation,
GAR, she calls the attention of Department
and Corps Presidents to the "bill TO insure
preference in appointment, employment and
retention in the public service of the United
States TO veterans of the late war;" and re-
quests that they communicate at once with
the members of Congress in their respective
districts asking for prompt and favorable
action on the bill, and otherwise every
means in their power toward securing this
measure Of justice to the worthy veteran"
says:
1T is with a thrill of pride that the
Department President of Maine can report
to the National President that she has no
need to take such action. That Names Repre-
sentatives in our National Congress DO not need
to be urged TO do full justice TO the bill. The
names of Reed, Dingley, Miliken, and Boutelle
are synonyms of justice and patriotism. Maine
only sends such TO represent her; she honors her
veterns at home and abroad by giving them the
highest gifts in her power, and may the time
never come when her Representatives have to
be urged to do full justice to any bill in favor
OF those who upheld her honor in her hour
of need"
In General Orders, No. 4, Department Presi-
dent Ella Jordan Mason announces negotiations
going carefully forward for securing the Sears
port estate for Soldiers Home She Congrat-
ulates Iowa and New York upon what they
have done, and hopes Maine will soon fall into
line.
The Maine delegation to National Com
vention has accepted an invitation from Depart
ment Commander Gilman to accompany the
official train to Pittsburg. Department Presi-
dent Mason beautifully describes some of the
scenic marvels through which the train passes
on its way to Pittsburg. AS follows:
10 those who have not visited the White
Mountain region revelation will be presented.
From the time of leaving Portland one exquisite
bit OF land or water view after another is pre-
sented until North Conway is reached, when
suddenly the majestic mountains, tall cliffs
that lift their heads above tho clouds, loom up
before us, and from this point do not leave
US until the last faint ray of sunlight throws
Its golden beams on the highest peak, and
the golden glory softly turns to purple and
gray then you realize that you have seen the
blue waters of the Sebago, the red cliffs of
Fryeburg, the lodges of North Conway with
Kearsarge Mountain On the right and Moat
Mountain on the left, with the Saco nesting at
its feet; that you have been through the
wonderful Crawford Notch, walled in by
Mounts Crawford, Wiley, and Webster. You
have seen the historic Wiley House aud Slide;
been suspended in midair on the Frank ensten
trestle, have viewed the snow-capped summit
OF Mount Washington, and the lovely Amo-
noosuc Falls and Twin and Cherry Mountains"
The Main inspection order is out, and De-
partment Inspector Mary l.. Carr and her corps
OF able assistants promise thorough and sys-
tematic work Fourteen Corps will be inspected
by the Department President; II by Hattie
Z. Sprague Assistant National Inspector; and
10 by the Department Inspector. All others
are to be inspected by officers of like expert
ence in W.R.C. work.
DEPARTMENT OF MISSOURI.
The Board of Directors, Womans Relief Corps
Home, will meet in st. Louis in October to con-
slider bids for the location of the Homo some
where in the State where best inducements are
offered. Bids should lie sent to Bell Seaman, |
Secretary, 1715A Sheridan avenue, st. Louis.
Comrades desiring to help the Missouri Home |
project and become members of the association, !
should send 81 each to Agnes L. Russell, Treas
urer, 634 South Thirteenth street. St. joseph. |
Mo. President Holen E. Day says: 1.-TWO thou |
sand comrades at dollar each, added to the |
OF friends and the results of work
of the Woman's Relief Corps will make the |
Home direct possibility
Kate nj. Scott. Brookville, Pa, who is terse |
and vigorous writer has written history of |
the lO5th Pa. for which she has been greatly |
complimented by press and people, veterans |
DEPARTMENT OF CONNECTICUT.
Headquarters, Department of Connecticut |
National Convention week. have been estab- |
lished at No. 947 Penn avenue. They will |
be IN charge of Junior Vice President Hannah |
Il. Barker. Members of the Grand Army, Re- |
lief Corps Sons of Veterans, and kindred organ |
izations, with their friends are ia led to call
and register.
A reception will be given at Headquarters, !
tuesday evening Sept. IL, from $50 to p. IN, |
General Orders, No. 6, of Department Presi- |
nnDf tn Wi, 4