The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-09-09
GENERAL GOBIN'S ADDRESS
DELIVERED ATG. 4. R. CONVENTION ~ IN CINCINNATI.

Questions of Keen Interest to the Orr ganization and to the Nation-The Pension nAgitation-RepOrts of Officers The Matter of fNon-Payment of Dues.
 Cincinnati, Sept. S.--The annual ad- dress of Commander -in- Chief Gobin of the G. A. R. was delivered to-day. It was one of the most interesting In the history of the organization and touched upon questions of keen interest to the veterans and to the nation. He said in part:
 "As comrades of the Grand Army of the Republic we can look over the events of the year just passed with feelings of congratulations and just pride. No equal period of time in the worlds history has been fraught with more momentous events, and the re- suit to us, as l.ation, cannot but place us upon a much higher plane among the governments of the world. The feature, however that effects us is that which relates to our participa- tion in the occurrences as old soldiers and citizens, who, for over a third of a century, have taught love of country and adoration of the flag and declared patriotism to be the foundation stone of the republic.
 ITO our esteemed comrade President William Mckinley, and his secretary of war, our past commanderin in chief, R. A. Alger, we have given our indi- vidual and organized support in the arduous duties imposed upon them. Never in the worlds history has there been an occasion when the experience of leaders in national strife rendered them so thoroughly competent to meet the difficulties encountered. Our peo- pie are proverbially peaceful In their desires. Averse to war, naturally, no portion of them are more so than the men who by personal experience have participated in it's horrors. Yet, at the call of the president there was no dely no hesitency in responding, and to-day there are no regrets; no division of sentiment as to the magnificent man. ner in which those officials have per-
 
 portant positions The congratulations of the Grand Army of the Republic, aye of the nation are due them, and from this present encampment there should go forward no uncertain words as to our united support to the gov ernment in solving the difficult prob- lens yet before them. Confident are we that the result will justify the su- preme faith which we repose in those, our comrades, and through their eff forts we believe the nation will con- tinue under the providence of Almighty God to the higher position which He has evidently designed for it.
 When it became evident that war with Spain was certains and all dur ing it's progress numerous letters were received from zealous comrades sug- gesting various methods designed to assist the government in it's warfare against the enemy. Some comrades desired to have the commander-in-ch chief offer the service of the entire member ship. Posts forwarded resolutions ten- dering their services. Various com rades submitted plans for the raising of money by contribution of a portion of their pensions and other money in small sums for the replacement of the battleship Maine by vessel of equal size and strength. Many propositions not as feasible as this, but containing proposals of inventions, which the in- yentors believed were calculated to de- stroy the entire Spanish army by en- tirely new methods, were also in evil dence. Recognizing in all this only the ardent and patriotic motives of their authors, the commander-in-ch chief deemed it inadvisable to accept any of them. The government, he felt, was in capable hands. This applied also to in- ventions and schemes of individuals, inasmuch as every department of the government had employed the best skill of the world to secure the best possible devices in warfare. It was, however, exceedingly gratifying to the commander-in-chief to realize the de- votion all those propositions exhibited, evidencing as it did the willingness of so many prevented by age from parti- cipating actively in the service, to make what sacrifices they could in the nations behalf.
 ''Latterly other propositions have come from various sources in the shape of individual letters and resolutions One is to admit into membership with the Grand Army of the Republic the soldiers of the war with Spain, regard less of other qualifications, the princi- pal reason being that In this way the Grand Army of the Republic could be continued and preserved as an organi- zation, even after every member who had Joined 1t under it's present sys- tenn had been mustered out It occurs to me that there is no reason for al- tering the rules and regulations of our organization or changing its distinctive character for any such purpose. The objects of the Grand Army of the Re public will all have been accomplished when the comrades who are now au- thorized to compose it are no longer factors within It. When the Grand Army of the Republic has fulfilled its mission it should cease to exist. The only organization of its kind in the worlds history, with it's records com plete, it's membership all united in the unknown beyond there is no reason why it should not be finally closed and the taps sound it's last requiem.
 Tt has been urged by we'll meaning
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