The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-13

ers in the State. Commander Caylor called
the e9campment and General wallace was
received with an outhurst of applause. As
he began to speak a comrade in the rear CT
the platform arose and said: General. the
quarter of your audience in the rear can't
hear a word
The good soldier isn't often in the rear
rctorted Wallace, and the encampment
shouted. After that all could hear.
General Wallace named the great men
who had lived in Wayne. In long, but glow
ing, eulogy nc spoke of Morton, and the re-
Spouse OF the audience showed the hold
the memory Of the war Governor has upon
the people. General Wallace spoke of the
Quaker element and influence in early
years. always for freedom. 1t was a grand
station on the underground railroad; good
cause why chm should invite the vet
Grams vino destroyed slavery; good cause
why they should accept.
The welcome and response over, Com
mander Eaylor called the encampment to
order. Chaplain +. j. PARROT offered prayer.
while the whole assembly stood with bowed
heads and reverently responded, Amen
All of the officers were present, an unsual
thlhg. AFTER the appointment OF the com
mittees Commander CaylOr read his ad-
dress. the main portions OF which follow:
"Comrades-One year ago we met in the
enterprising and patriotic city of South
Bend. Since the close of that encampment
our watchword has been, OF to Richmond.
The cycles of time have too soon
brought US here, and we halt in our years
march and pitch the cents sof the eighteenth
or the West, among these people who nave
always been noted for their hospitality. 1t
Is especially gratifying TO note tIe near
ness of welcome with which the citizens
join in receiving the veterans. proving thus
by word and deed that the lamps of men,
DRY ana gratitude are still aliSht among a
loyal people. All around US are symbols
that remind us of the glory of our country
more eloquently than any speech. With
united voices let US salute our country's
flag as it floats out to greet us on every
hand. To the old veteran 1t is always a
signal of welcome. Wayne county is the
banner county of the State, not only rich in
historic memories and rich in the product
of fertile fields and manufacturing inter-
ests. but rich in the glory and honor its
soldiers won upon the field of battle; rich in
the thought that it was the birthplace or
gave TO indiana one OF the greatest war
Governors this country has ever known.
He was a statesman with a giant mind that
infused his own patriotic spirit INTO the
sons OF Indiana until 100000 of its brdVeSt
swung into line a solid column in defense of
the Union. Oliver p. Morton. To-day let
us pause and revere his memory, and while
we thus pause and peer through the mist of
time q shadow of sadness clouds the joyous
welcome that has been extended TO us by
the patriotic citizens of Richmond, for we
miss the warm hand clasp of our beloved
past commander, General Thomas w. Ben
nett. His love for the Grand Army was so
ardent. his knowledge of it's laws so con-
stantly present with him that he was al
ways "A bulwark to our encampment. We
recognize in him a soldier from patriotism
and a hero by nature, and though he has
gone from among us he lives in our men,
DRY and in the hearts of his comrades whose
feet knew the roads over which he led them
to victory and whose hearts were sore when
Comrades of the Grand Army of the Re-
public, we should feel proud of the record
we have made. Since the war the soldier
has acquitted himself as a true citizen. He
has made his way to the front in every pro-
feSsional calling. In short, he is a factor in
all the affairs of the Nation, and we can
well afford to muster in dress parade before
al the world. A third of a century has
been purified and the faithful servants of
the great Republic have been called
Five times has the mantle of the Nation
fallen upon the shoulders of members of
the Grand Army of the Republic, and to-
day our great and noble leader, our COM
rade, hero, patriot, we feel assured will not
dim the luster of the past, nor will he be
pnmindful of his living comrades and the
widows and orphans of the dead.
WORK OF THE YEAR.
Comrades, it is not my intention to bur-
den you with the details of the workings
of the department, nor to repeat to any
great extent what can be found in the re-
ports of my staff officers. Their work has
been zealously and conscientiously per-
formed, and l commend their reports to
your careful scrutiny. For my own work /
can only say that while l have given a
great share of my time and the best of my
ability, it is an impossible task for any man,
in the short space of one year, to visit
every post in the State, although l have
Travelled IN the interest OF the department
fifteen thousand miles. 1t has been my
pleasant privilege TO visit many of the posts
at their regular meetings, attended many
camp fires and reunions; everywhere and on
all occasions have been shown great re-
spect and honor by all members. These
visits, ii is believed, will be of no small
benefit to the department. Early in my Of
fetal duties | urged the comrades to hold
district meetings, campfres and reunions,
and to get in closer touch with each other
again-touch elbows, as we did from 1861
to 1865. l have done what L could to hold
the comrades in line and to gather others
into the ranks of the Grand Army. Camp
hres and reunions have been held in every
part OF the State, and the result is that not
only many comrades have come back into
the ranks, but many have been enrolled
who had never before identified themselves
with the Grand Army. The outlook for the
coming year Is truly encouraging. There
seems to be a general awakening in the
Grand Army posts everywhere. The coun-
try has passed through a heated campaign.
which at times affected the work in general.
1t is a marvel that we are able to make SO
good a showing under the circumstances.
1T is with regret that l am compelled to
report many on the suspended list, but we
While the record for the year is not so
pleasing as We could desire. the vigor has
been checked by the eventful times in which
we live. In the midst of a great financial
depression and partial stagnation of bust
ness, the industrial and business pursuits of
the Nation have been oppressed, and lack
of employment for labor has caused many
10 De unable to pay dues. Added to the
general paralysis of business of the past
year was the national election campaign,
which TO some extent affected the interest
end attendance at the post meetings and
oNC CONSEQUENT hSStSCt 10 pay uueS. L rec
ommend that, as far as possible, posts carry
upon their rolls all worthy members whom
they know to be financially unable to pay
their dues.
THE reports show that Memorial day was
generally observed throughout the depart
ment by comrades and citizens. and a
greater interest Was manifest than any of
the preceding years; yet it is to be regretted
that some did take advantage of the
holiday and desecrate it by indulging in
games and sports.
are indebted to the Woman's Relief
Corps and Sons of Veterans for the valuable
service rendered. Since the organization
Of the Woman's Relief Corps it has been
theirs to Irvine the garlands of iInperish-
able love and to teach their sons and daugh-
tors 10 gather the sweetest flowers of our
land TO strew in memory of our comrades
dead. l recommend that post commanders
appoint a committee to confer with the
teachers and superintendent in the school
districts and call their attention to the i'm
portance of holding patriotic service on
Friday, preceding Memorial day, thus
strengthening patriotism by teaching the
children that in honoring the departed he
roes they honor liberty.
True and tried has been our auxiliary.
the Woman's Relief Corps, banded together
for earnest. patriotic and charitable work
They are daily and actively teaching by
word and example and the thrill of their
enthusiasm that its sacrifices and deeds of
\ the defenders of the Union and the results
achieved are a sacred heritage. No branch
OF the order has made more gratifying
progress than this. The enthusiasm which
these patriotic women have shown and the
energy that they have brought to bear
or the work have made this department
an UNQUALIFIED success and iuStineS fhair