Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1898-11-18
C. A. R. CAMP FIRE
Large Meeting of Delaware
Veterans Held Last Night.
ADDRESS BY WILLIAM NJ. BYRNI

HE PAYS TRIBUTE TO SOLDIERS
WHO FOUGHT IN THE CIVIL
STR1FE-HTGH SCHOOL THE
SCENE OF THE GATHERING OF
OLD VETERANS.
The G. A. r., Department of Della
ware, held an open campfire last
evening in the assembly room of the
High School building, Eighth and
Adams streets.
The room was handsomely decorated
with the Stars ana Stripes, and the
state flags and colors, and, despite the
weather, every post in the city was
represented. On the platform were
seated William M. Byrne, Rev. F.lB.
Short and William Simmons, OF Phila-
delphia, the speakers; Daniel Ross and
William A. Reilly, commander Of the
Department OF Delaware.
After selection by smyth Post
Band, Assistant Adjutant- General
Reilly made a short address, setting
forth the object Of the gathering and
stated that it was to get the people or
Delaware better acquainted with the
department and its work. He then in
troduced Daniel Ross as chairman Of
the meeting, who in turn presented
William Michael Byrne as the speaker
OF the evening.
Mr.. Byrne's address WAS in part as
follows:
"Appomattox is the glory Of Amer
lea. On that immortal field a victori-
Gus general refused to accept the
, sword Of a vanQulshed brother. The
= chivalry Of Grant and the courtliness
; Of Lee are the rich legacies OF a united
E people. The same generations that
S saw the streams OF the South running
I their courses to the sea red with the
,, best blood OF our American soldiers
[ now beholds the two sections locked in
S a love embrace unseverable till the last
- syllable of recorded time. To Lincoln
+ was the glory given 10 prevent The
s dismemberment of the republic; to Me
.a Kinley has been given the high priv
). lege Of healing the last wound OF tina
II tremendous conflict.
It AN eye less single TO the genera
If good might have failed to perceive tn
Is great home potentialities Of the Span
b. lsh, war, but Mckinley, alert an
ie watchful Of the profound interests i'm
D. posed upon him by the voice OF tn
L people struck down the last barrier O
N sectionalism by appointing to hlg
% command in the armies OF the Unite
le States those veteran soldiers OF tn
South the gallant Fitzhugh Lee ans
m fighting Joe Wheeler. Tonight aroun
10 our peaceful campfire there smou.p
le ers not a spark Of sectional hatrel
&. not an ember of bitter memory; an
10 every Southern soldier can find Ds
a. meath the badge Of the Grand Army
Of brother and a friend.
he WARS and their rumors have tror
j.. bled nations from the beginning; 'br
IS, however desrous we may be for peac
NJ our Interests are sometimes best serve
by convincing the world that we al
nd able to fight All American wars hay
rs increased the glory Of the America
OF cause. Next in importance to the WI
rs for independence was the war OF pre-
$50 ervation we waged with the Southei
M. Confederacy. The conflict ushered
la by the shot at Sumpter resulted In q
he banishmCnt Of the last vestige OF I
gy, equality under the flag OF the repub,i
op The record Of that memorable stri
fills the cup Of fame held by the Amei
led can soldier. Your priceless services
A.; your country in it's hour of dark'
J. peril have secured to you the undyi
rhn gratitude Of those loving their sta
lie, and their country.
lie, 81 congratulate you upon your sple
p. did organization formed to perpetu'
d. the memory Of your valiant deeds.
nd, war you served your country we'll;
ny, peace your organized force has alws
Err been a power for good in public
mt, fairs. In our republic no organizati
, J.. as powerful as the Grand Army
Ell fail to influence our public life. WI
en- viii be the influence OF the Gra
her, Army, will it be good or will it
slie bad? 1t will be what the Grand Ar
lcis itself makes it. Never did the State
lev. Delaware stand more in need q
son, now Of the best services of her stu
vey, sons. Now II ever must we run up
L. flag Of honor in public life. The p
Vii pie must demand that the state
w. guided not by mere adventures,
say, those whose only distinction sbased
ller, the low tricks OF artful politics.
lem, need now is for men identified by Il
II. lily and fortune with this state, Ct
ing, in judgment. infexible in honor,
ner, spected at home. esteemed abroad. Y
lyle, the Grand Army and kindred socie
-