The San Francisco call., 1899-05-31

recited by John H. Roberts, adjutant of
Thomas Post. Comrade Roberts was in
fine voice, and the utterances of the mar
tyred President on that memorable oc-
casion fell from his lips with thrilling
emphasis and effect.
An anthem by the Cavalry Band fol-
lowed and then Nellie HoIbrook Blinn re-
cited Beyond the Verge OF Time" which
ELECTED enthusiastic applause from the
assembled veterans.
President Smedberg then introduced
Charles A. Sumner, past commander of
George H. Thomas Post, as the orator Of
the day. Mr. Summers address was pa
thetic and humorous by turns and an elo-
quent tribute to the memory of the de-
parted comrades whom they had assem-
bled to honor.
Ladies and gentlemen, comrades and
friends" began Mr.. Sumner this num-
her on the programme has been an
nounced as an Grafton. Now, there are
very few orators in the world I am not
one OF them. But almost every full
grown Yankee is talker. I'm one Of
when George H Thomas Post assem-
bled to-day and marched out to pay a
need OF praise to our departed comrades
we were met at the entrance to the Pre-
sidio reservation by a guard of honor
composed of black men of the Twenty
fourth regular infantry, and 1 could not
help thinking how appropriate 1t was that
the representatives of the race for whose
liberty the great war was fought should
be present to aid in the ceremonies in
honor of those who shed their blood for
them. Sixty-seven members of George H.
Thomas Post have passed away since
the post was organized; fifty of them lie
beneath our eet; we stand over the
ashes of our dead to tell of their deeds
and pray for the salvation of their souls.
Il know it is often said we did not go
to war to fight for freedom. I DENY it
What were the words that fell from Lin
coins lips at his first Inauguration? I
was present and heard him. He said,
speaking of the people of the South: Tho
issue is with you; you have made the
issue. That issue was the slavery Of the
black man. The people of the South in
several organizations, had resolved to set
up housekeeping for themselves. They
saw that the onward march of civilization
was threatening to sweep away an insti-
tuition that they called by a more eupho-
NOUS name but what we called chatteI
slavery. Our revolutionary fathers alb
hored slavery so much that they refused
to place the word in our constitution.
speak of them with the most profound
and sincere respect, although I am glad
there is still one hour of one day in the
year when We can refrain from bowling
down in obsequious courtesies-they stood
for slavery, and Mason said slaCery was
the cornerstone of the new republic. We
went down to Bull Run and said that
with Gods help it should not be, and it
was not But the battle for mankind is
not yet over. Not yet 20, Freedom, may
thou unlace thy corSlet or close thy eye
in slumber."
The speaker then devoted a few re-
marks in glowing eulogy of George H.
finest in the country, carrying on it's
rolls the names of many whose glorious
deeds are part Of the history of the
nation.
tinued. "Have you forgotten that first
commanding general of our army? He
was not to blame for the misfortune-as
some are pleased to call ft-of Bull Run.
That battle was well planned and ably
conducted and lost through an unfortu-
nate mistake in orders or by treachery.
IT octn of hot hrQ 20 and Irill How
man, that grand soldier and polished
gentleman lie buried beneath a shaft in
this ground in this national cemetery,
which is ours by the grace of Uncle
Sam
In concluding his remarks Mr.. Sumner
made particular reference to the war in
the Philippines, and paid neat compli-
ment to General James f. Smith Of Cali
fornia.
I'VE are. all in favor of the present
war" ne declared ~ as e we re We're were OF 4, tirs
is one now serving in the Philippines
who is deserving of our best love and
of the California Volunteers. 1 know
General Smith well. l practiced law with
him at the bar in this city. He is one
of those miracles of Gods providence, an
honest lawyer and soldier. If it was pos
sible to change the George H. Thomas
Post charter we would take him into our
ranks. There has been great deal Of
talk of heroes, and we are all heroes, but
there is difference between bravery and
courage. cornered rat will fight. A
man never knows what he is until just at
the supreme test of actual experience.
These whom we are assembled here to-
day to honor were put to the test, and all
the world knows how nobly they ac-
quilted themselves"
The Plymouth quartet sang "Decora-
ton Day. taps were sounded by the
bugler of the Fourth United States Cav
airy, and the assemblage dispersed as
the inspiring strains of THE Star-span-
gled Banner by the cavalry band re-
sounded over the reservation.