Worcester morning daily spy. (Worcester, Mass.) 1888-1898, 1898-02-18

utter the words of Grant: LET US have
peace" And say to you, comrades, let
US have peace Let us devote ourselves
to the principles Of fraternity, charity
and loyalty, for which the order stands.
The principles which lay at the founda-
ton Of the order. Let us cling TO the
foundation which rests first Of all on
equality. Let US have charity that is
long suffering and Is kind. Let us have
a firm, staunch loyalty to both the prin~
cipleS of our order and for the flag that
floats over us. (Applause)
The motto Of my administration, If
should select one, would be Equal
rights to all. without regard TO race,
sect, color equal rights TO all under
equal laws"
If we cling to the great principles. the
Grand Army can never fail to appeal TO
the American people at large and for
ever be cherished IN the hearts OF our
countrymen. (Applause) And when
we pass on, other hands will take up the
work and bless humanity by it, until
the land shall have only happy homes,
With free born American citizens in
teem-With one flag. one country ana
one destiny. (Applause)
! thank you for your Kindness. [
have been in danger of being killed by
it, I have already answered 100 letters
and there are many more on my desk
to be attended to. In fact, / find r.
self bankrupt when l try TO express "
gratitude that / feel to all for kind
words and magnanimous deeds.
After a song by Mr.. Munroe, Mrs.
Robinson was presented 1t is new
departure for me, she said, to speak to
SO large a gathering. l appreciate the
honor paid by inviting me to so royal
reception. 1t is pleasant to look at the
e., lrt,nv
always talk better to strangers and at
home. at this point Mrs. Robinson
looked across the hall to where her
husband sat and the audience broke
forth into laughter) Some years ago
l recall how member of my family left
me at home while he acted as COM
mander of the post. Now the tables are
turned, and I shall leave him at home
while l go away. Oaughter)
Mrs. Robinson closed by telling how
she defended Commander Bartlett at
The Relief Corps convention against the
false charge of being unfriendly to the
auxiliary She said a few words about
the order, which numbers 14,171 in the
state, and of which the local corps is
the banner one. Only 40 members were
lacking of making it the largest corps
in the state. She said $16,426 mad been
expended in aid by the department. She
assured the commander that these $4,000
women were his friends, and would al
ways be ready to support him
Commander Bartlett rose at this
point. After saving that he was called
by Mrs Robinson before the members
of the Relief Corps to defend himself
against the false charge that he was
u friendly, the commander said that he
told the ladies assembled, how much he
loved them, and was glad TO do so. Il
hope to do it many more times during
the coming year. he said. II should
like to visit every corps in the state. I
should like to visit every post of the
Grand AIny-the weaker posts who
came down from Berkshire to work for
me at 50 much inconvenience, and to
vote for a principle. I should like to go
down on the Cape. and along the banks
of the Connecticut and the Merrimac
I should like to look into the face of
every comrade in the state, and inquire
into his condition; to offer my personal
service, and to bid godspeed. I should
like to devote the year to service among
my comrades for / believe that many
an old soldier has not received his just
due from the country which he fought
to save.
GAS to the Relief Corps, there is no
body If women for which I have a
greater respect. We often speak Of our
own sacrifices in the war, too often
sometimes think, when I recall the
deed of the brave women. With what
pangs and what sloyalty they gave up
husbands, fathers and brothers? With
US IL was often case of know nothing,
fear nothing, but not so with them.
They not only suffered at home, but
were on the battlefield, in the hospital.
soothing our sorrow and Barring for our
wounds. They were sisters of charity
daughters of God,-and so are the mem
bers of the Relief Corps. They are do
ing a noble work, and anything / can
do will receive my hearty support and
interest"
After a song, Past Department Com
mander Churchill vas introduced as one
of the lords" He said he had been
much interested in the remarks Of the
department commander. He assured him
the hearty support of the past depart
ment commanders, the lords.
Past Commander Charles NJ. Smith
and Commander Burbank made short
remarks. P. W. Wood spoke for the
Associates, and James Crosby for the
navy. After words by Mrs. Emily E.
Ward, past president of the Relief
Corps, the program ended with a song
by Comrade Munroe.