Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1897-11-12
ANNUAL ADDRESS.
OF Department Commander u. v. u. of
Michigan.
CONTINUED from last week.


Union Veterans Union alloat and try
and hold all the ground | took posses
sion of and have succeeded in doing
so as far as | know. have always
tried to do my duty and see that no act
of mine would bring disgrace on our
noble order or on myself either.
| have always tred To use the funds of
the department honestly and savIngly
as could. Had not looked after many
of its commands | am afraid they would
not have been on our records today.
Comrades, YOU know that when an
army is once routed it is a hard task to
rally it again. So have found it with
many commands. We have not lost
any commands during the year which
is a great pleasure TO me. With better
times we have only TO 90 forward in the
grand work.
In the last month or six weeks many
blanks have been sent out to organize
new commands by request of comrades.
Comrades, it takes some time ard
study to become acquainted with the
work IN the department and to know
Just what to do it is "a great field TO
labor n and cary forward the work
succc,Sfully
Comrades, the time is near at hand
when every soldier will see the need of
belonging 10 some soldiers organza-
ton to help protect his interests. and
then we can make cur wants known
h we them respected. Comrades watch
our pension bill that we are fighting
for when congress meets, Our organ
izaton is the only soldiers organiza-
ton that has a pension committee At
Washington looking after our interests.
Let Us struggle on hoping to see the
day come when the nation will com
pensatc the soldier for his duty in his
declining years to make his bed as easy
As possible in his last days.
Comrades, as we part from the an
uual Encampment Of the department
of Michigan let us not forget the widow
of our departed comrades who have
been waited TO the other shore, in her
lonely hours; let us breath silent
prayer for Heavens blessings to rest
upon her and see that she is looked af'
ter in her sore affection as she journeys
along through life.
Also the aged and unfortunate COM
rade rs his thoughts lnger in tie by
gone days, when he himself was in the
vIgor Of youth and strength Of man
hood, many of them little dreaming
that the Soldiers Home would become
his paridise ON earth, will offer pray
or to the supreme Ruler of the uni
verse and ask His blessings TO rest upon
the comrades and patriotic people OF
Michigan, as well as the state, for pro
viding them with home in WHICH tC
spend their declining years, and when
we ourselves shall look around Us anc
see the results of our good works, ther
may we, with JOY and gladness, eX
claim, The Lord is Coed and Hi.
Mercy Endureth Forever"
have made discovery during the
year that also affords me great pleas
ure and that is our Assistant Adiutau
General is not iutalbe and that h'
sometimes makes mistakes. | was gla,
TO know this, as have always beer
afrlid of those Of whom it is SAID
"Thcy never make mistakes" it seem.
to be impossible TO move up TO then
they seem TO stand upon such a hIgt
plane As to be exclusive. It was con.
elusive proof that he was human and
that we might feel perfectly free in as.
sociating with him Is one of our kind
Aud now seriously, comrades, we may
well feel proud OF our Asst. Adjt.
General for his many virtues of heart
and mind and desire TO take this oc-
casion TO thank him for the uniform
kindness and courtesy have always
received at his hands and wish that
he may enjoy a long life, health, wealth,
prosperity and happiness.
CONCLUSION.
And now, my comrades. the records
of my acts as your department com
mander for the past year are before You;
IT is yours to approve what is right aud
to correct what is wrong.
My heart Is filled with grateful feel
ings for tho UNIONS department officers
and comrades of the department o.
Michigan for their assistance and coun-
Gil IN the labors Of the year.
sIL,,o ,..o,g ,,,, Union I ,vol ,..o,,,