The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-02-13
THE DEFENDERS DAY.
Tribute to Lincoln, the Noblest
Union Patriot.
THE VETERANS ceLEsRATE.
Joined BY Their Wives and Sons, Thsy
Commsuerass the Martyr Pres
fdsntss Birth.

birth OK Abraham Lincoln, which has now
become q fixed day OF observance
throughout the United States among the
members OF the Grand Army. the Sons
OF Veterans and the wcmea's Relief
Corps. as well as BY other patriotic Amer
ieans who revere his mern0ry WAS ceie-
brated last evening at Ranke hail under
the auspices OF George H. Thomas Camp.
No. /. Sons of Veterans. The celebration
was the occasion for the reassembl.ng
cs the old soldiers and sailors OF the
war now in the city, their wives. sons
and daughters In honor of the greatest
and noblest character CT the nineteenth
century, the day being recognized
throughout the length and breadth OF
the land as Union Defenders Day." and
an exchange OF patriotic seniis>enss that
recalled memories OF the darkest days
In the history OF the country. 1876. The
audiences was large and enthusiastic aud
the address os Col. James Leddy on
Abraham Lincoln was broken UP with
succession OF hearty applause that show
ed that the memory OF the great martyr
team public.
The platform had been neatly decorated
with q large portrait OF Abraham Lincoln
on the right, while flags and bunting from
the various camps and posts were draped
about the stage Among the most central
~ arranged series of flags was silk one
that had been carried through the war by
Company * OF the Fourth Minnesota In
fantry. of which Dr.. T. II. Young was a
member. finally coming into his posses
sion at the close OF the war. The flag
was made by the ladies' of Jordan, MINI,
who presented 1t TO Company A at a COM
petittve drill Just before the war Being
company flag. It was only raised once
during the war and that was on the
assasslna ton OF Lincoln, al which time,
While the company was in the field in one
OF khe Southern states, 1t was put AT half
mast. A number OF prominent Grand
Army men occupied the platform.
The entertainment was opened with
patriotic medley performed on the piano
OF well-known old army calls and songs.
and the performer was rewarded with q
hearty round OF applause.
A prayer by the chaplain, Charles E.
Piimpton. was followed by the singing Of
THE Star Spangied Banner by a quar-
teise and the audience jointly. One of
the pretty features that preceded the sing
Ing was tbs salutIng of the dag by all
present. The members of the quartette
were: George Fl. Morris. f. c. Rollo, w.
f. Anderson and Pliny Allen
An address of welcome was next made
by the surgeon general OF the Sons of
Veterans. DIR. L. W. Young. who made
few patriotic remarks 10 the young men
OF the present generation to whom he
presented Lincoln as a model of probity
and moderation. The speaker reviewed
the object of the Sons OF Veterans,
whose life work 1t was TO continue the
work so we'll begun by their fathers, the
veterans Of the war. The order was nom
political in character and its ranks were
open to the sons of all who were the blue.
whether In the rank and file or wearing
star. He spoke feellngly of the bravery
OF the Southern soldiers who. though
fighting In wrong cause. were yet brave
enough 20 stand up for their convictions.
The old song SO familiar 10 every old
soldier, '~Tenting Tonight on the Old
Camp Ground was next sung by the
quartette and aroused the old veterans
to demand an encore.
Col. Leddy was mex. introduced to give
the address of the evening and was given
a warm reception. Taking a retrospective
View OF Abraham Lincoln, the speaker
said. he was the throbb!ng heart of a
mighty nation In the throcs OF agony.
No president was ever placed In the try
Ing position Lincoln was. Without guide
or precedent with a mastery hand, he
put into execution the war powers OF the
government. His reliance on and his
closeness 10 the people were the secret
OF his great power. and no step in his adj
ministration was taken without de!ibera-
ton and the united support of the pa
sr.ogic sentiment of the people Duty was
/ his only creed. The speakers address
covered Lincolu's services md character
While commande-!n-chief OF the army aad
! navy. The brilliant deeds of Grant, Sheri.
dan, Logan and others were exio9led,.
whereas Lincoln, the leader OF them all.
who performed greater deeds Of heroisrl
and craftsmanship was entitled TO even
greater praise. Theirs was to do. his to
direct; they got the glory of victories, he
was charged with mistakes and failures;
50 that white the old ship OF state tossed
on as turbulent sea during the four most
evaatfu8 years in the eountry's h.story.
| Lincoln stood bgaye!y at the helm peering
snso The future With firm reliance on
PFoyidegsce and The right.
Pie speaker went ever the early history
of tf1e ''raii splitter" whose symprua.hies
were early aroused IN favor OF the slaves
| as he witnessed the scenes enacted by che
slave hcsaeys. \ chl,a OF nature, with
rugged honesty. he Travelled alone In g
pathless world. hts own master with The
wor.i his library. AS rail splitter,
farmer, boatnlan. surveyor. soldier law
yer, legislator, congressman. he developed
an grew, absorbing knowledge from
every stream 90 prepare him for the great
work he vas destined to perform. HIS
Only creed was the Fstherhossl OF God
and tie brotherhood OF man. an trnpl5c!.
/ faith 81 q Supreme Ruler, AMI II, the doc
'Tsne that all men are created free and
equal. \ fatalsst by nature. re had an
eVer-l4F!ng iTeseDtItnent OF the mission
he vas 70 I'll Disappointed love. ana an
unhappy marriage were factors IN h.s
coming sreatness. ana left rim n solitude
10 wozk Oh; ths gyest problem 81 free
tom a.d slavery.
i4inSsoln yss eafnaa~a lively unknown an
Ia ~ repeal ~ the M.sseu-. eo.a9rsnise
ht3 In iS5s, waseb broke down tia bar
r5sT 20 tsge further exscnx!css o. slavery
ffe had iocal or state reputation ana
wss = leader an political issues. HIS
views on slavery We're web known. He