Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1900-04-12
ANNUAL CAMPFIRE
Continued from First Page.)

untr VaIldnt service need
ed. In concluding, Colonel Knaebel pre-
dicted a glorious administration for De-
partment Commander McFie, and
pledged him all possible help in his no
BILE undertaking. 1t was a high honor
to be at the head of the Grand Army in
New Mexico, and any man might well
be proud to wear it. The eloquent
speaker was given a round of hearty ap-
plause as he resumed his seat.
Judge A. L.. Morrison, who served his
country in the Mexican war, was next
called upon. He moved to amend a re-
mark made by Judge McFie by strik-
ing out the words lone Of and letting it
stand 1.-The Grand Army of the Repub-
lie is the greatest organization in our
country" He so regarded it. The men
of the revolution made our country and
the men of the Grand Army of the Re-
public preserved and perpetuated it.
Their services We're Of unreasonable
value, and too high honors could not be
paid to them. Touching the subject of
pensions, he felt hat the soldiers of the
civil war had not been justly dealt with,
and that congress should Immediately
enact more liberal pension laws. He
could see no justice or sense in giving
soldiers of the Mexican war greater
pensions than We're paid to the Union
soldiers who took part in the struggle
of the Cos, and he thought it high time
that applications for pensions should be
deemed badges of honor and not of re-
proach. The Grand Army men had earn
ed every dollar they had received, and a
great deal more, and need not be
ashamed to speak of it. The orator then
referred to the magnificent results of
the Spanish war, the total obliteration
of sectional lines and sectional preju-
only a national flag, but a world flag,
| fluttering triumphantly in the fading
sunlight of the far Orient when the sun
was gliding the crests of the Alleghe-
| skirmish; we had not commenced fight
ing; our children did it; but it had
| taught the nations of the world a
healthy lesson. 1t had placed the United
States in the front rank of all the pow
| ers, and no n need fear that any of
| them would have the temerity to en-
gage in war against us. They knew bet
ter.
After the singing of Bride Bells" by
Mr.. Pracht, Col. c. G. Coleman. "who
fought four years on the other side" re-
sponded to urgent calls with a brief
speech. He declared that the people of
the south cherished the most kindly
feelings for the Grand Army of the Re
public, and gave his Endorsement to the
sentiment that it was the greatest or
ganization in the country. Following
came speeches by r. A. Fiske, Maj. r,
j. Palen, Ex-Governor l.. Bradford
Prince, Lee H. Rudisille Of White Oaks,
Judge w. H. Whiteman, John H. Knae-
bel of Denver, Rev. Thomas Fl. Har-
wood, for sixteen years chaplain of the
department; Hon. Pedro Sanchez OF
Taos, Rev. A. A. Hyde, Max Pracht, in
behalf of Oregon; Gen. e. l.. Hobart
and w. M. Berger. ]. T. Steele gave an
appropriate recitation.
Besides another song by Max Pracht
90 Fair Dove! o Fond Dove" Judge
McFie sang a Scotch ballad, 1.-THE Row
ing Bachelor" and Colonel Knaebe'
sang when This Cruel War Is Over
During the banquet the local string
band furnished excellent music.
Judge John r. McFie the new com
mander of the department, when a mere
boy signed the roll in two companies
organized in the town where he her re.
sided, but as he was under age, and his
father, who had been an invalid fol
years, was at the time upon what
proved to be his deathbed, refused to al.
low his son to go with the companies
to the field. In August, 1863, Mr.. Nc.
Ffe's father died, and although his only
brother had been in the army since 1861
his mother consented to his enlistment
In November, 1863, he enlisted as a re.
cruit in company F., 30th regiment O.
Illinois veteran volunteer infantry. HI
left home and entered Camp Yates al
Springfield, ILL.,, in November, 1863, ant
from there was taken to Camp Butler
where he vas mustered into the service
in February, 1864, and left at once fol
the front with his regiment, which hat
been at home on veteran furlough. Mr.
McFie was with his regiment through
the entire march to the sea, and served
to the close of the war, being mustered
out with an honorable discharge in Ju-
ly, 1865.
FORENOON SESSION.
The encampment resumed it's work
this morning at 10 o'clock, with Depart
ment Commander McFie presiding.
Rev. Thomas A. HARDWOOD, of Albu-
querque, was reelected chaplain. His
annual report was submitted and ap-
proved.
The department commander an
nounced the following staff appoint
ments for the ensuing year: Assistant
adjutant general, F. P. Crichton, of
Santa Fe: assistant quartermaster gen
eral, Jacob Weltmer, of Santa Fe; chief
inspecting officer, S. G. Meeks, of So
zorro; judge advocate, z. S. Slower, of
Albuquerque; department inspector, J.
"A. Ross, Las Vegas.
Resolutions were adopted favorable
to the contemplated establishment of a
soldiers home at Denver, and asking
for the enactment by congress of a law
admitting soldiers free to the privileges
of the hot springs of Arkansas and
South Dakota. A resolution was also
adopted asking the territorial authori-
ties to set apart a room in the new cap