The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-10-07
Wonderful Week at the Old
Soldiers Reunion.
SUPERB LOT OF SPEECHES
And Many Fine Pieces Rem
dered TO Big Crowds.

issue pam AOltoWlNS dS II OIu AOAAAeA
meetings at the same place in the fall,
Inspired the veterans Thursday evening
by a rising vote TO name it Camp Bur
gess" because Captain Burgess. by de-
termined effort and direction, has made
the reunion one of the big things of
southern Kansas and Oklahoma.
The whole week was characterized by
PROBABLY what was the most brilliant
series Of speeches made in any one
place in the same time.
Chester Longs speech was the best he
ever made Charles Scott's effort is still
talked about. Father Tihen's speech is
highly complimented everywhere; Cor
poraI Tanner surpassed himself; Cover
nor Starley's effort was excellent; Com
= nander Martin, President Stanley and
Captain Ffshback made f1rst-cIass talks.
Mayor Ross made a capital address.
John Davis and Otto Eckstein and James
Tapp and others added to the success Of
tbs occasion, as well as visiting comrades
VINO talked with spirit and aroused en-
thusiasm to its highest pitch.
There was so much transpiring at the
old soldiers reunion during the week
that it was impossible with all the en-
vironments and conditions to keep tally
and report the proceedings in detail. To
begin with the reunion has been a glor-
1ous success. and the meetings have en-
hraced the finest order Of program and
varied 10 meet the sympathy and taste
OF the crowd Tuesday at the opening
ceremonies a fine audience was present,
md the ceremonies began with music by
tee Wichita band and an invocation by
Rev. Bruce Grlf1th. chaplain.
Mayor Ross delivered a welcome ad-
dress which met with responsive ap-
rlsHse He said:
Mr. President. Veterans Of the G. A.
r, Ladies and Gentemen-Your commit
Tee on arrangements for the reunion has
cqRferred upon ne the distinguished
honor Of delivering a short address TO
you today. They also suggested that by
virtue OF the office I have the honor to
Old that my remarks be one Of welcome
and 10 extend the freedom of the city
20 all visiting veterans. \ few years ago
T zen your grand encampment assembled
III our lovely city I was asked as the
esecutive Of the city TO deliver an ad-
dyess OF welcome and to extend the free
dom Of the city to that honorable and
Distinguish body of veterans. In my
remark on that occasion stated that
thought L was not necessary for me
10 extend the freedom of the city to any
OF the old soldiers of the Union because /
I believed that every city in the nation |
was already theirs by right of conquest. !
I am still Of that opinion and always |
VIII be. However. I can hardly mag
me a greater honor than TO speak to a
people who. by their courage and devo- /
ton TO duty in time Of great trial. made /
them worthy of the highest commenda- /
ton t1at man can offer TO his fellow I
man. to speak for cause that has new /
er ceased TO be nearer and dearer to I
their hearts than all other causes. When !
I was asked to come before you I felt /
rouewhat timid because I am not a pub /
&c speaker. 7 doubt if I would have had /
the courage if I had not remembered /
1 hat those to whom I was to speak never
J STATED in the days Of 1861 to 1865 be- /
Cluse the task was difficult nor sought /
L evade a difficult duty. In looking up /
q you today observe that many of I
you veterans are gray haired and battle
Scared. infrm in health and rapidly /
nearing the end Of Hfe's journey. yet you /
have left your homes and business pur-
suits 70 meet your comrades. In do /
i7- so you show by your presence here
t-day that neither the lapse of years nor
change Of tine nor changing conditions
/ rs changed YOUR patriotism: the deep
seated convictions in your hearts that
holy cause The wonderful record made
ty tn Union soldiers astounded the
world ard placed your name high and
far above that of the soldiers of any
other nation. I may not be able TO
speak al of your names, neither can Il
ten who you all are; that matters but
little. but what you were the world
knows and those Of Us who were not
in that great conflict know that you
were q part Of that superb host that
marched with old glory TO victory and
planted IT en- a rock that viii endure
foreve- You veterans have helped II
make history on many a battlefield and
quailed not NJ the command 10 charge
the enemy. what magnificent memories
you comrades viii speak OF at this re-
( -
mentioned over again of your reuown and
rso-y upon every field which you fought.
vri never ceased to love the cause TO
which You consecrated your splendid
ms hood. whose suffering on every bat
.lefeid showed the consistent sacrifice
men could make for the perpetuauou of
tbs glorious Union. You were ever
ready To march where danger was the
thickest. The world has an example Of |
YOUR constancy and courage which viii |
forever shine Upon the escutcheon Of
your country with a brlIancy and a
glory that no future can pale and no
seroism surpass-
II must not forget the noble women
- the Union during those perilous times.
he sacrifices they made without a word
= complaint. their loyalty and devotion
"a TIRE cause you offered your lives +
need be. viii forever shine on the pages
u history as the most beautiful example
= uananlv courage. womanly patience
md wouanly self sacrifice With these Z
glorious memories OF the past with these
noble emotions aroused by the presence
= so many veterans at this reunion. the
scenes enacted here are the greatest ed
,eatfoa On patriotism that can be taught /
he rising generation II IS no wonder
sat ali Wichita Is made glad By your
,resence. You need no words of mine
= assure You that these reunions aTe
ra,carne: the air is laden with benedis-
ions When I was coming from my
lone through the park 70 meet you the
,srIs seemed to sing sweeter than usual
nd the thought occurred ~ me, surely