The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-09-27
OLD SOLDIERS
ARE PLEASED
Continued From Fifth Page

]
) ment The South from the time the first
slave ship landed, defended slavery. II
was upheld by every religious sect Il
was honored in every pulpit. From its
profits churches We're built, cathedrals
reared, and priests paid 1t was blessed
by bishop. priest and clergyman II re-
ceived the sanction of every southern
statesman and every court Around the
fireside, at the school and in the church
passages OF scripture were recited IN
it's defense. Had many OF you boys II
blue been placed under its peTniciOus
teachings. you perhaps would have Shout
dered your gun against that flag
The question arises. have the wounds
lof war been healed? Have the southern
people submitted? Thanks <e 10 God.
yes, In our Spanish war the North and
the South marched shoulder 10 shoulder
against the tyranny and superstition Of
Spain Today both sections speak from
the same platform. both rejoice that
freedom has conquered them. cultivates
their fields. educates their children and
weaves the robe of wealth and fills their
southern homes with plenty and peace.
Two characteristics determine the no
bility Of every character and OF every
natiOn-a good confessor and a good for
getter The South Acknowledges her
wrong and the North has buried the
past, and both clasp hands and march
forth under the old flag like a pillar
Of fire by night and pillar Of cloud by
day, to the highest and hottest duties Of
American citizenship
I desire to pay my tribute 10 the he
roes of FL Caney, San Juan, Cavite, San
tagoi Manila and 100000 more as brave
as they who waited in camp with the
agony of Impotence awaiting the call of
battle. There is a spirit abroad in this
land caused by the Islander cf some poll
ND Of
presses, and also from the lack of op-
portunity. that our boys Of 9S were mere
sucking babes womahish weaklings. In
the name OF the brave and sturdy sol
Oiers Of America, l denounce this senti-
ment as disgrace 10 our American
manhood Had the boys of IS an oppor-
tunity OF facing an enemy as vigilant.
brave and great as the boys in blue they
would have demonstrated 70 every Amer
lean citizen and 10 the world. that they
We're the same blood os the soldiers who
In regiments Of rags. bleeding feet amid
the SHOWS OF winter made Valley Forge
immortal; that they were the same kind
as the soldiers who drank from filthy
roadside pools who marched through
the swamps Of death, who breakfssted
with danger and dined with death dur
ing the Civil War. Had they the oppor-
tunity, they would have demonstrated
that there was In reserve many more
Hobsons Roosevelts and Wheelers.
In conclusion. let US bow our heads in
reverence to all the soldiers of the Civil
War and the war of 'ss. who sleep in
lonely and unknown graves and whose
names are only in the hearts Of those
they loved and left behind-to thise in
the broken homes throughout this land
who only hear in happy dreams the foot
steps of their return. Let US pause
In reverence to all the soldiers living
whose twtnging nerves, weary respira-
ton, weak backs and bent forms tell
the story of what they dared to chance
that we might enjoy the blessing of
prosperity and liberty-to all the soldiers
living and dead, TO Sherman, to Sheri-
dan the dashing, to Grant the calm, the
silent. the thoughtful, the greatest SOL
der OF modern times; to Lincoln the
merciful, the good, the greatest Of the
mighty dead, and TO the late William
Mckinley, the memory of whose life is as
gentle as the summer breezes laden with
the perfume OF flowers and the song OF
merry reapers; and whose generalship
craftsmanship and loving life like a bow
Of peace has starred and spanned all
the clouds of war
one Of the features of the day was the
address of Comrade w A Smith, OF Reno
county. Mr.. Smith began his remarks
by saying that he was proud of being
citizen Of Kansas. proud Of having been
a soldier. proud CT being a member Of
the Grand Army OF the Republic and
proud of being citizen OF the United
States. the greatest country on earth
made so by the men in blue Of the civil
war. The feature of his address was
detailed review Of a soldiers life, especi-
ally that relating 10 the prisoners exist
ence in Andersonville, where he was a
captive. He described IN eloquent Ian
guage. the horrors of the conditions there
the suffering, starvation. disease and
death He said, with memory still active.
he did not approve OF TOO thorough a
blending OF the blue with the gray and
excused himself for this reason for not
entering TOO enthusiastically into such a
&C ndition. He drew wonderful picture
of the life he had known. with incidents.
some amusing. others deeply pathetic
He spoke OF the proposition once made
IL Andersonvile by the Confederate Off
GERS to the prisoners. Offering freedom 10
the latter should they consent 10 desert
their flag and take up arms for their
captors. He was proud 10 relate that out
OF the 5000 prisoners confined. but thirty
six accepted and proved rene gade 70 their
cause and country, those who remained
Immediately organized and raised a ban
ner bearing the words Rally Around the
Flag Boys thus proving their loyalty
and patriotism under al conditions. lie
declared that the progress and develop
ment Of the country followed its armies.
and that through there was SIN a spirit
o. opposition existent IN the south.
there was yet a complete union His ad-
dress vas enthusia sticauy received.
The afternoon session was opened by
the singing II America" by Comrade
Johnson. OF the End Indiana. with audi
ence IN chorVs.
Miss Josie Clark OF Wichita delivered
ar Grafton choosing John Brown as her
subject The young lady-s address was
historical and finished and gave much
pleasure TO the assembly.
The visitor II the day was next an
Tounced and made his appearance in the
form Of former Governor Joseph Fifer u
Illinois. an old soldier. immensely popular
with his comraie and the Ioval west
greeted with applause. IS there were
many tn the audience who knew him
personally. Governor Fffer began hts 20
r -ks nv saving pleasant things - Wirh-
its he regarded il as the greatest cIty
ot great state which had rendered itscif
conspicuous in 2 great war IL face-
c-ousiy remarked. however. that h dion
art any more war. that y war ever
aeain broke out between Americans. re
would cnuse q Kansas have hlrnsstf
elected governor and send every mothers
son ~ q Ksasan e. battle He told sew
efal amusing stories ard kert his AUDI
cree iu high good hunsor a. he IS a good
r1conteur. His story u the Irishrnan ~