Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-30

8. NJ. Croft of Thomas Camp. Sons of
Veterans, delivered an grafton. in which he
referred to the pride each member of the
camp possesses that he is the son of a vet
eran.
The orator of the day was Representative
William A. Calderhead of Kansas He was
introduced by Commander Meacham as a
son of the state which gave John Brown,
cause of liberty. Mr.. Calderhead spoke for
nearly an hour. and the speech was re-
ceived with enthusiasm.
Representative Calderhead's Address
Mr.. Calderhead Is a veteran and a men,
Der of the G. A. r. He said that he felt
some pride in being introduced as a son of
Kansas The soil Of that state was bap-
tized in the blood of liberty. From that
state. then territory, more men went to
the Union army than there were voters.
From that hour to this her whole life has
been consecrated to the memories of the
men who went out and battled for liberty.
Mr.. Calderhead talked of the struggle of
years ago. He said that there were 9, 265
battles during the war. The war, he Said
was not question of slavery or Of the
meaning of the Constitution. 1t was a
question whether the great liberty loving
nation should remain intact. 1t was a
question whether one flag should wave over
united country. If that flag had not
triumphed there Is no telling, he said what
would be taking place in this country to-
day He discussed the matter of state
rights and civil society. The declared OBJ
ject of the rebellion was to establish an
other nation. These men who sit before
him fought for one ration and against two
They did not fight to free slaves so much
as to preserve their country.
Foreign Sympathy With the Com
fedcracy.
Mr.. Calderhead discussed the conditions
of the country before and during the war.
abiding to the strong opposition in many
places in the north to armed resistance to
the secession of the south. There was
much difference of opinion in the north,
while the south was practically united.
The speaker referred to the sympathy eX-
tended the confederacy by England, France
and other foreign countries, while no such
sympathy was extended to the United
States. He considered that fact an evil
dence that the struggle was one for lib
erty and for the preservation of the nation.
Mr.. Calderhead detailed many brave deeds
performed at Gettysburg He considered
that battle as the which decided the
life of the nation. Had the confederates
won the battle, the confcderacy would have
been recognized by England and France
Those countries were on the point of grant
ing recognition when the news of the re-
suit at Gettysburg was flashed across the
sea and stayed their hands. The purpose
of the confederacy was to establish a con-
federacy of states, which Is very different
from the principles of this government. He
showed the difference between confed-
eracy of states and a union Of states.
Nearer, My God. to Thee" was sung by
the audience. and Rev. John l.. Walsh pro-
nounced the benedictlon. This closed the
exercises in the church. The procession
was then reformed and marched to Mt
Oliyet and Graceland. where the conclud-
ing exercises took place.
The fifth battalion was commanded by
Major Otto L. suess. The other officers
present were Lieutenants Mock, Shaw,
Meyers and Sprigg. Captain Jenkins COM
nanded company A, Lieutenant Smallwood
company B, Captain Sayers company c.,
and Captain England company d.
The Irish Patriots Graves.
The Emerald Club will decorate the graves
of the Irish patriots at Mt. Qivet cemetery
tomorrow at $50 pm. The speakers will be
Congressman Walsh Of New York, P. T.
Moran and Jno. j. Dolan of this city