The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-08-30
Missouri Man is Elected Com
mander- in Chief
Of the Grand Army by Unani-
nous Vote.
NAMED BY WIN. WARNER
Accepts in a Feeling and Pa
triotic Speech.
School Histories in Use Receive
Condemnation.

Chicago, Aug. SO-Major Leo Ras-
sieur, of st. Louis, was unanimously
elected commander inchief of the Grand
Army of the Republic today. The
nominating speech was made by Major
William Warner. who said:
Commander in Chief and Comrades:
Battles fought in liberty's cause go
into song and story. Deeds of hercism
are immortal No more precious legacy
was ever bequeathed by father to son
than is bequeathed by the soldier of the
republic who marched to the front at
the call of him who proclaimed year
of eternal jubilee to race In the
darkest hour of the civil war, the men
composing the union army and navy OF
81 and '65 never despaired of the re-
public; their survivors who compose the
Grand Army of the Republic in the
day of the nations greatest prosperity
are not pessiniStic. They do not view
with alarm new questions that demand
solution. They have now, as then, con-
hdence in the capacity and loyalty of
this free people to settle all questions
affecting our nation, whether at home
or abroad, to the glory and honor of
the republic A comrade can have no
more laudable ambition than to be com
mander in chief of this, the greatest of
all civic organizations; an organiza-
tion on whose roll of membership are
found the names of the nations most
illustrious citizens and statesmen; an
mander in chief shah be a firm, fear
less and unfaltering defender of the
rights of him who hath borne the bat
tie, and of his widow and orphan; an
orga MIA tion that will make no mistake
by electing as its commander in chief
Comrade Leo Rassieur, of Missouri
Major Warner closed his address with
a warm eulogy of Judge Rassieur as
soldier and a citizen, and earnestly
urged his election.
JUDGE RASSIEUR'S ACCEPTANCE.
Judge Leo Rassieur in accepting the
nomination said:
Commander and comrades of the
thirty-fourth national sencampment:
am overwhelmed by the manner in
which you have manifested your IA
vor for me on this occasion. l would
have to be untrue to myself if l did
not realize that the compliment you
have paid me has. been rendered and
will be accepted as compliment to The
department of Missouri, which has seen
| lit to make me its representative in ask
| ing for the highest honor which has
been received While / have no dis
| position to take your time for the pur-
| pose of outlining the work which is TO
| be done during the next year, 1T does
seem to me proper that l should say to
| you that all the ability which l possess
| shall be devoted to the work of this
grand organization in order that 1t may
| have an honest and reliable adminiStra-
| ton, so that every comrade may be
| heard in reference to any and every
to the national organization 1 appre-
| ciate that in that way the best work
! can be performed. I also appreciate
| that in that way justice is to be done
| to the humbiest member of our order.
| I appreciate that this election confers
/ upon me an honor second to none that
can be given in this country 1t comes
from an organization that represents
| those who served this country in its
| great test peril. 1t represents those VINO
| were willing to sacrifice all that they
4 had in this world in order that this
nation might live and prosper. The past
"a wears have shown the wonderful re-
! suits that followed from the sacriflces
| made by those who have passed away
/ believe that we are still upon tEe
| threshold of a great destiny before US.
] However great the future may be all
| will be owing to the soldiers who fougnt
that the country might be preserved
4 one and indivisible. 1t shall be my duty
| to have that fact brought nome on every
| rrouer occasion and as long as l nave
| The voice to prevent its being lost sight
| OF that voice shall urge upon our peo-
1 pie the beauty of being just ana gen
| erous to those who did so much for TINS
| country.
ssIn the name of my own department,
/ and in my own name, desire to thank
you from the bottom OF my neaTt Tor
| what YOU have done this day; and may
| the end of this administration and the
| work done during the coming year JUS
/ fifv YOU and lead you to say that this
| days work IS not 70 De ASShSeee0 W
SKETCH OF NEW COMMANDER.
| St Louis, Aug -30.-Judge Leo Rassleur,
| who was today elected commander IN
| chief of the G.. "A. R.,was born IN Baoern'
/ Alsace. Germany, n 1874 His people
came to this country in 1S49, settling IN
| ST. Louis. At the breaking out Oh the
| civil war Leo Rassieur, who was II years
Of age enlisted as a private in the Thlr-
! tieth Missouri He steadily rose through
| the ranks, and at the eno OF the war
held a majors brevet-
/ In addition to his service in the Union
| army, Judge Rassieur has been MEM
| Der Of the st. Louis board OF educauon
| five years and attorney for the board ten
years; has spent four years on the bencn
| of the probate court of St Louis, organ
lied and served as president of the
| Western Rowing club, the principal or
/ ganization Of its kind in the Mlsslsslppl
| valley and has built up one of the largest
| law practices in St Louis, as we'll as be-
| coming one of this city's most promi-
! nent citizens He is a member of Frank
P. Blair post G. A. R.
VICE COMMANDERS.
Chicago, Aug. 3d.. c. Milliken of
| Maine, was elected senior vice COM
| mander in chief and Frank Seamons OF
Tennessee, junior vice commander IN
chief
John A. wilkins of Delta, Ohio, was
elected surgeon general and Rev. A.
brahms, of San Quentin, CAL, chaplain
in chief.
/ Chicago, Aug 30.-The field hospital
corps were kept busy yesterday, 92 per-
Sons being cared for Louis Anderson
a veteran II years old from Rockford
Ill. died from heart disease
James I. Merrick. adJutant general Of
| the department of Maine, was overcome
/ by heat. His condition is serious.
| NAVAL. VETERANS OFFICERS.
Chicago, Aug. 30.-At the meeting OF