The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-10-03
TO OLD SOLDIERS
Governor Stanley Spoke at
the Reunion.
FINE LITERARY PROGR AM
Given Under Auspices of the
w. V. r. u.

Governor ". z. Stanley addressed the
old soldiers at their reunion in South
Riverside park yesterday afternoon. He
spoke OF the great bravery shown by
the old soldiers in the war OF the rebellion
and the brave fights put up by the sol
diers Of ancient and MEDIEVAL times.
There is something different in the
bravery shown by the ancient soldiers
and that shown by you. Alexander's
soldiers fought for Alexander; Caesars
soldiers fought for Caesar NapoleOn's
soldiers fought for Napoleon, while you
fought for your country and with your.
generaI-not for him. But your splendid
victory did not add a single foot 70 this
country, ii was the war for the suprema-
cy Of an idea-the idea that all men are
created free and equal It was the first
war ever waged for the. preservation OF
government and the rights of men. All
that is necessary to inspire the chill
dren of this republic is the simple story
Of the war for the establishment of gov
ernment where equality before the law il
the paramount principle"
He showed that equality before the law
was a great principle by the example of
Lincoln rising to be president from a poor
rail splitter in Illinois; Garfield from
poor lad driving a horse o. the towpath
to the executive chair, and Mckinley from
poor farm lad TO the highest Office in
the gift Of the people.
THE American flag has always been the
emblem Of liberty to Us for more than one
hundred years, but TO the black people
it was the emblem Of oppression until
you made IL the emblem OF liberty for
every person in America. and the black
man has learned TO love it. As long as
this government remains a government
OF the people 1t cannot be corrupt until
you corrupt the people.
As long as the crew Of the ship Of state
Is good we may change captains every
once IN awhile and yet be sure that the
old ship OF state Will reach port safely"
When the exercises began every seat IN
the big tent was taken and many were
standing around the outside. When the
governor entered every person rose to
his feet with one accord to greet the chief
executive officer Of the Sunhower state
1t was the largest crowd OF old soldiers
ever brought together at one reunion
here. There was also large number Of
people who were interested in the stories
Of the old veterans
The exercises began by the firing Of
the governors salute of II guns. Presi-
dent Burgess called the meeting to order
and introduced Reverend J. s. Brundage.
who offered prayer. Miss Lena Fuller
then recited Anna Laura" that beautf-
ful story Of the Swiss girl in her brave
ride for the liberty of her home and
country. Miss Fuller has a very delight
ful style in telling Of that ride. Mrs.
Sarah Z. Lawrence then introduced the
governor.
The womans Relief Corps then gave a
snort program. Mrs. Towsley sang 1.-THE
star Spangled Banner. the audience rose
to its feet and Joined in the chorus.
Mrs. Towsley also sang Sometime we
VIII Understand" President McKinlev's
favorlte song. Mrs. Towsley has very
beautiful voice and sings with expression
and spirit.
Mrs. Mason. president Of the ". Y. r.
Z. then delivered the following address:
Mr. President. and Comrades:
once more Times scythe has swept
year, and bound it with his sheaf. In all
our life book Gods great hand folds down
another leaf and once more YOU grand old
heroes Of 81 10 50 have assembled here in
IN the beautiful park 20 exchange pleas
ant greetings and extend the hand of good
fellowship TO each other as in the davs Of
ouid lang syne, when YOU stood shoulder
10 shoulder and fought for the principles
which this glorious old flag represents
The memories Of the war are sacred and
You have TO recall them with the old time
Nr5 ana fervor. Sweep with Sherman
from Atlanta TO the sea. you can stand
with the grand Thomas on Snodgrass HnI.
at Chickamauga while he is holding the
enemy at bay and with him can triumph
antly drive Brsg from the summit of Mis-
sionary Ridge; you can stand with the
gallant Mead as he beats back the serted
hosts of Lee at Gettysburg or you can be
with the chivalric Mcpherson as he falls
at the front at Atlanta, or YOU can fight
in the clouds on Lookout Mountain. with
the gallant Joe Hooker. or you can follow
that wonderful ride down the valley TO
Winchester, where the heroic Phil Sheri-
dan. on foaming steed reformed his fly
ing squadrons and plucked victory from
defeat, or YOU can sweep back and forth
with McClelland. across the beautiful val
ley Of Antietam. or you can sit with Far
ragat in the shrouds Of his flagship at Mo-
bile bay, or you can march with Grant
Through the Wilderness and can witness
the end Of the struggle; Lee surreudcriag
his sword at AppomattoX. the south's
greatest victory. The best and bravcst
thinkers Of the south today proclaim that
the superb developments which has been
the outgrowth OF their defeat is worth all
its losses. all its sacrifices. all its humilia-
ton. Truly. you men who compose the