The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-01-11
LIBERTY NOT WAR.
Some of the Speeches Made at Free
Silver Headquarters.

Il would today take up arms in the
defense of our state or union, under
the leadership of Governor Morrill,
with just as much loyalty as I did when
the illustriouS Lincoln marshaled the
hosts of liberty exclaimed Capt. H. H.
Brown in a speech before the non-par-
tisan gathering of old soldiers at the
state free silver headquarters after the
free dinner on Saturday. Next week.
he continued, Il would respond to my
cOuntry'S call with lust as much low
atty under the leadership of Governor
Leedy as I would today under Governor
Morrill, He is my governor. He is
your governor. Next week it will be
the same. The man who takes charge
of the affairs of state represents all of
US. 1t is our duty as citizens to stand
by our flag We want less partisan
ship and more loyalty I do not like to
hear old soldiers talk who think of
their party before the flag Some
claim that they voted as they shot
No soldier ever voted. It was the duty
of liberty and American independence,
but a soldier never votes a man ap-
proaches the ballot box as a citizen
He votes as such and in this capacity
we can redeem our country from the
forces which enthraH it. If we do not
exercise this privilege and do not sue
coed, as a result of our own negligence
perdition will follow for all of US. PeO-
pie proclaim a coming revolution which
is a serious error. There is but one re
VOlution coming and that is by the
pray and talk and vote and God grant
that we may never have to fight for
it. We want liberty and not war"
On behalf of the coming generation
composed of men who did not partici-
pate in the civil war but whose fathers
were wrecked in service, H 3. Flehar-
ty, Governor Leedy's executive clerk,
pledged the old soldiers the mainten-
ance of the republic and the liberties
which their battles and victories gave
to the people of this continent. Mr..
1ln1 T-fxy 0t hen n chi Il
when 1 see the blue and the gray
mingling with each other then I think
the acme of American civilization has
been reached. There are those who cry
that war is necessary that the Ameri-
can people retain their patriotism I do
not belive this. American people are
patriotic and liberty loving from pure
principle and not as the result of war
About 300 people remained to the af-
ter-dinner speeches, which were inter-
spersed with music, recitations and
led Banner and other patriotic airs,
closing with Marching Through Geor-
gia.'
of ceremonies. AS chairman of the
meeting he took occasion to say that
DR.. Bohrer of Rice county and John
T. Veney. colored, of this city, had vio-
lated the intention of the meeting by
injecting political ideas into their
speeches. This meeting" said Mr.
Close, was intended to be purely non
partisan. DR.. Bohrer and Mr.. Veney
deserve this explanation by reason of
the fact that they propably misunder-
stood the intention and discussed poll
tics. We have here today members of
all political parties and [ assure them
that it was the intention of those who
arranged this meeting to keep out all
political subjects or reference to poll
ties
J. A Davis, Albert Griffin, John Rad
ford Mrs. d. A Evans, Clay Cencer,
department inspector of the w. r. .,
and John T. Veney made speeches and
Dr. H. w. Roby read a patriotic poem.
Misses Evans and Kline furnished the
music and Miss Winnie Prescott recit-
ed.
Both the dinner and meeting were a
success.