The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-05-07


duced and delivered the address of well
come which was in brief as follows:
Sisters of the Woman's State Relief
Corps, and Comrades of the G. A. r.:
A very pleasant duty has been assigned
to me this evening as representative of
Bosworth Relief Corps to extend words of
welcome. Today is the second time that
our city has been honore1 by the visit of
the delegates to the state department
meeting.
| Sisters and comrades as WELL we are
exceedingly glad on this occasion to bid
you welcome as our guests. Twenty eight
years ago this organization was formed
in this city, and today the order extends,
all over this broad land. We may well
look back over the past and feel that we
have been privileged to do SO much for
worthy comrades and their dependents.
To our visiting sisters would say, it has
afforded us great pleasure to extend to
you a welcome to our department COM
mander of the g. A. r., we are most
happy to greet you and we appreciate your
interest in our order. To each of all
assembled here in the name of Fraternity.
hearty welcome.
vocal solo by Mr. Hugh Quinn, rendered
in a highly creditable manner.
Mrs. PASCAL the department president,
was then introduced and spoke as follows:
1 consider it a great honor on this occa-
sion to respond for the organization
formed to assist the association of the
comrades who wore the blue. We are
proud tonight that our father, brothers
and sons were in that fight to keep every
star in the constellation of our honored
flag. 1t was modest call that appeared
in the papers of Portland in April, 1869,
calling together the women eligible to
membership in the Woman Relief corps.
Just twenty eight years ago the first So
ciety was formed. 1t was voted to admit
the wives, mothers and daughters of vet
Grams. The Woman's State Relief corps
will continue the work it is in so long as
the G. A. R. are loyal to the flag, TO
their homes and families, and the
Woman's Relief corps will always stand
| ready to fulfill the words of Lincoln and
| endeavor to make this government of
the people for the people, and by the
people, and to bind up the nation S
wounds and maintain its honor. Ladies,
l thank you and bid you God. speed in
your work.
A xylophone solo was then rendered by
Mr.. Harvey Skillings, after which Depart
ment Commander l.. r. Carleton was in
| troduced. Mr.. Carleton said I assure you
that I am greatly pleased that I have the
opportunity to be present with you upon
this occasion. l am glad to bring to this
organization the greeting of the G. A. r.
of Maine, the organization of which l
have the high honor to be commander
for the time being. There are some things
that are certain and safe. We are glad
that history is safe, and that it will re-
main history so long as the world stands.
One of the things that you have a right
to feel proud of is the fact that here in
the city OF Portland, was organized the
first relief corps that was organized in
this broad land of ours 1t is proud dis.
tinction that the State of Maine was the
first to form an organization for the per-
petuation of loyalty and the care of its
veteran soldiers. We are glad and proud
OF your devotion, of your help and assist
ance. Words fail to express the esteem
IN which the Relief corps is held in the
hearts of the G. A. R. of Maine. How
many posts would there be in existence
IN the rural districts particularly if il
We're not for the aid and assistance of the
| hellet corps. We bid you God speed in