Little Falls weekly transcript. (Little Falls, Morrison Co., Minn.) 1894-19??, 1895-07-26
THE cHMP FIRE.
workman Post .Hao a Good
Tlme-Good 9peakers.
S s5s@ Good Music, Good
2s#G<l Eatableo,

The camp fire held by Workman
\ Post, &. A. r., last Saturday even.
Ing, at the old court house hall.
while not attended as largely as it
should have been, was much. en-
joyed by those present.
After some music, Adjutant Gener-
al Mertz of the Minnesota depart
ment was introduced. Mr.. Mertz ia
very pleasant and interesting
speaker, and continually kept the
audience in good hunor with his
funny stories.
There was then music by the choir,
: and Rev. A. w. Wright of
the Kansas department., made
fine address. He said that it was
the duty Of the G. A. r. to train the
youth of the land in loyalty and
obedience to government. He wished
to see the flag floating over every
school house in the land, and every
youth taught it's meaning. That
the country was free, that men still
had the rights guaranteed them by
the constitution, was due to the
Grand Army OF the Republic.
Mr.. Walker sung song of his own
composition, set to the tune of '"The
Red White and Blue" and which
was very we'll received, the audience
Joining in the chorus.
After another selection by the
choir. Commander Ell Torrance was
introduced. Mr.. Torrance has a
young appearance for an old soldier,
explained by the fact that he en-
listed when he was less than II ears
old. He said that he would not
make set speech, but his address
was interesting throughout, and at
times eloquent, as when he paid a
tribute to the immortal Lincoln.
He complimented the city, saying he
had expected to find a village, and
found thriving city. He explained
the objects Of the order, and how it
is intended to perpetuate the glories
of '6O-'61, and to remove the bitter
ness left by the great struggle. 1t
was the supreme duty of the G. A. R.
to teach obedience to law and ord Ter.
FLAWS were unjust, the people, who
made the laws, could repeal or
amend them. It was in 81 the duty
of the men of the country to rally
round the flag; it was no less their
duty now to keep the republic in the
true path. The speaker said he
thought those who were forever
criticising the country and it's insti-
tutions should leave. Anything say
oring OF anarchy should be repelled.
Mr.. Torrance spoke of his recent
visit to Louisville. He found there
six G.. A. r. Posts with a member
ship OF 1000. The men OF the South
who had met the G, A. r. on the
battlefield, were not tireeaters.
They had accepted the result, and
wished to fraternize, and did so,
with those they had fought. There
was a little bitterness IN
certain quarters which was
slowly being wiped away. The
speaker hoped to see number from
Little Falls at the next encampment.
He closed with a magnificent tribute
to the women of War times. They
il was who saved the union. who
encouraged father, husband and
brother to go forth, and who offered
up their dearest on the altar OF de-
yotion. The audience then listened
to q cornet solo by Ernest Boyce,
and Mr.. Mertz again took the floor.
He gave numerous figures to show
the grow tn and good work OF the Il.
AR. He thought there should be
campfire twice a year, and promised
that if there were one in the fall, the
commander and himself would at
TEND. He also appealed to the ladies
to reorganize the Women's Relief
Corps. He told number OF funny
stories, and paid a tribute to the
women by giving most interesting
account of "Aunt Becky Lyons,
who served through the war as
private and nurse. He brought the
house down with the story OF MS
war sweetheart, and how she went
hack on him. In closing, he asked
ali old soldiers out of the order TO
come in, and again besought the
ladies to not forget the W. K. e.
The army supper--baked neans,
hard tack, and coffee-Was tnen
served to those wishing it. during
the exercises, a letter from past COM
mander Van SAINT was read ne
>rossod his GREAT regret at not De-