The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-27

ough organization of the department into
county battalions, preparatory TO moving
upon Louisville in force"
In regard to the strike disturbances OF last
July, the department commander says: The
eventful year that is closing has put to a
severe test the patriotism and loyalty of
our citizens. Men have been compelled to
declare themselves. and to take stand in
favor of the enforcement of law, and the
prevention, by force, of lawlessness and
crime against life and property, or in favor
of the dangerous and un-American doc
trines, which came so near involving the
entire country in disorder and bloodshed.
1t shos.ld be a matter of especial pride TO
us that in this trial it was shown that the
Grand Army of the Republic stands now,
where its members stood in the bloody days
The loyal support of the posts and indi-
vidual members of the organization in this
thews in his pstrotic efforts to protect life
AID property and to maintain the supremacy
of the law, during the recent strike dis
turbances in this State, is most commend
able, aud gives the order new claim upon
the confidence and esteem of the people
In regard to the observance of Memorial
day, he says: 1.-The day was more gener-
ally observed throughout the department
and more interest seemed to be taken
and citizens this year than ever before,
thus indicating that the services and sac
gotten. In exceptional cases the Thoughts
less and frivolous devoted the day to
games and sports. This reprehensible prac-
tice should be frowned upon by all patriotic
people and ] trust that every comrade will
use his influence to make the observance
of this day what it ought to be, truly and
only, the festival day of our heroic dead"
In speaking of the lengthening roll of
death, Commander Marsh pays an appre-
son, in these words: His faithful and
conscientious service as a member of the
State Soldiers Monument Commission gave
him an especial claim upon the regard and
affection of his comrades. Distinguished
a soldier, honored as a citizen, he has
passed to his reward. His death will be
deplored and his memory revered by his
comrades, who loved him. and the people
who henored him for his private worth
OF the Woman's Relief Corps. the de-
partment commander says: This valued
auxiliary has not entirely escaped the eff
fects of the depressing influence of the
times, but is reported by it's efficient and
faithful president to be, on the whole. in
a prosperous condition. During the year
1894 1t expended for the relief of the unfor-
tunate in cash, $32S6.41; in relief other
of s., 7,365.3 333 The noble women composing
this organization have marched side by
side with US. sharing cheerfully in our
works of charity and have claimed little
in the way of recognition. The organiza-
iary but the stay and support of the Grand
Army of the Republic. We may be cheered
as we view the rapidly approaching end of
our order by the reflection that much Of
our work is to be taken up and carried
forward and much of support is to
come from this order, whose ranks may be
recruited as long as 1oyaI women Dreside
at the firesdes of the Republic We owe
much to the organization now and our OBJ
goes on. l bespeak for it the support and
encouragement OF every member of the
Grand Army of the Republic
The next topic touched is that of mill
itary instruction in the public schools.
Pursuant to the request of the national
named Comrade w. III. Cochran, Post sss
Indianapolis, to take charge of the work
in Indiana. Commander Marsh commends
the proposition. saving. s.f)ur illnstr.ollS
comradea Gen. BENJAMIN Harrison, when
requested to give his opinion upon the
whole ground in one impressive sentence.
He said: 1T will be good for the boys
good for the schools, good for the coun-
try. What more need or can be said in
its favor? believe that we should united
" press this subject upon the attention
OF the public, until every able-bodied young
man who goes out from public schools
shall be capable of performing efficiently
the duties of a soldier
Ihe department commander makes Wig
orous appeal to the encampment to take
effective measures TO build up the Sons of
the nTaritles we wear as long as we can,
but they are soon to fall upon other shoul-
surrendering to others the duties and re-
sponsibilities of citizenship, but somebody
will soon take up. these duties where we
lay them down. May hold tenaciously
to the banner under which we marched to
glory and victory, but it will soon be
wrested from our nerveless grasp by
younger and stronger hands. The young
men composing this organization have been
our students, and have learned the lessons
of patriotism from US; and who shall wear
the mantle of Elijah If not Elisha? Who
shall uphold the banner of freedom and
maintain the cause of human liberty if not
the sons of sires who followed that flag
across the red fields of war, and through
the smoke of battle to final triumph and
honorable peace; who shall take up the
great duties and responsibilities of Amer
lean citizenship, il not the younger men
who are bone of our bone and flesh of our
flesh? 1t seems to me that this order ought
to be made our most reliable and available
safeguard against the encroachments oe
the anarchistic and socialistic tendencies
now SO prevalent among us. In every
camp Of this organization the purest Amer
ism are taught and inculcated. They are
the training schools from which should be
graduated the best exponents of patriotic
reasonable effort the part of the Grand
Army, seconding the efforts of those of our
sons who take an interest in the matter
will result in largely increasing the MEM
bership of the order and arousing a patri-
otto spirit and interest which will insure its
force it may be made with all of the sons
of men who fought to maintain the Amer
principles inspired by the examples of pa
trlOtic fathers, organized, ready to spring to
the defense of these principles. did their
fathers when the life of the Republic was
in perill / earnestly appeal to you my
comrades, to interest yourselves in this
matter, and assist in sustaining these
camps wherever organized, and where there
sons of veterans in numbers sufficient
to justify. the effort, who are not members
of the order, try to bring about the organ
iZation of a camp during the present year.
Regarding, pensions, the department. COM
mander will say: "The question of pen
sions remains matter of absorbing inter-
est, and must do SO until Justice has been
done to every comrade entitled under the
law to this benefit The action of the pen
sion committee of the National Encanp-
ment on this subject. the outspolzen indig
nation of the comrades and loyal people
generally at the arbitrary and unjust rul-
ings in the Pension Office, and the ex-
penditure of vast sums of money in the
employment of spies and inforners to cut
down the pension roll, while nearly a half
million of pension claims unadjusted We're
lying in the pigeon-holes of the Pension
Office at Washington, covered with dust
of years. has had the effect of correcting
some and mitigating others of the abuses
mentioned. The distressing fact remains
however, that thousands of our comrades
are dropping by the wayside each year,
whose last days are rendered miserable bv
the pinchings of poverty, because deprived
of The benefits of the pensions they would
receive if accorded fair and decent treat
ment by the authorities in charge of the
Pension Department We shall fail in our
duty II we do not continue the agitation
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