Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-10-13
c. A. R. CHIEF
WAKES HIS
Spell
GENERAL T0RRENCE DELIV-
Frs ANNUAL ADDRESS BE-
FORE ASSEMBLED BLUE
COATS IN WASHINGTON.

ment OF the G.. A. r. which IS the BUSH
hess meeting OF that order. began its
sessions az 70 O'Clock today in the Con-
gregational church OF this city. There
are about LOO delegates present. Com
mander-in-chief Torrance presided. The
meetings were secret.
At the outset a resolution was adopted
expressing grief at the death OF Presi-
dent Mckinley and its regret over Pres
ident RoOsevelt's indisposltiOn-
Taking up the question of pensions. Gen.
eral Torrance related the circumstances
connected with the investigation OF the
charges against former Pension Commis-
sioner Evans. General Torrance said that
The acceptance OF the resignation OF Com
missioner Evans by the president immed-
lately followed the presentation OF this
committee report 20 him Referring furth-
er to the effect OF this inquiry. he said;
zone gratifying result OF our investiga-
tons was 20 find that no ground existed
for the wholesale charges Of fraud so
often made against the pensioners. A
large part Of tine last report OF Commis-
si0ner Evans was taken up with the re-
cital OF cases OF fraud committed or at
tempted 10 be committed against the gov
eminent during the preceding thirty
years. but when analysed X appeared
that very few VINO had any military ser
vice were parties to such frauds. The
posters. not soldiers"
The commander-in-chief also took cog
nizance OF the charge that the pension
roll contains the names OF more Union
Soldiers than there are survivors OF the
civil war and pointed out that there are
more than 200.ooo survivors OF that war
whose names do not appear on the ron
a. all he advocated legislation in their
behalf and declared that no pecuniary
nnrrrW-~rEnFF~rr ns~aw nrrrIH he rrnaln - those
who preserved the Union.
Patriotic Impulses.
'sThe patriotic impulse that moved US
20 lay an on the altar Of our country
had" he said. no Fellowship with mer-
cenary motives We did not belittle the
grandeur OF the cause we espoused. cal
cuiafilg on personal gain. The made
Quacy Of our pay but added 10 the dig
nifty Of the penalties we suffered On the
field OF battle fruitless assaults were often
made IN the face OF certain death. but no
one faltcred In response 10 the unwise
command Those were days Of unques-
toned heroism. supreme devotion and I'M
raraIieled sacrifice and IN these latter
days the rear guard OF that immortal
army should exhibit spirit no less heroic
than that manifested by those who fell in
the foreground OF the conflict so many
years ago"
ArEMEAA4 ANNAaAEE EaA4 A4A-A AAAAAAE ~
the work OF the wOncn's auxiliary organ
nations. including the relief corps and
the Ladies CT the Grand Army of the Re
public ard also made an appeal for the
proper recognition or the Sons OF Neter-
ans. saying on the latter point:
s'Posterity. for which we fought, has
not arrived but viii soon become the ex-
elusive custodians OF our country's des-
tiny. and who more worthily than our
sons. can take up and carry forward the
unfinished work OF the Grand Army Of
the Republic7''
Refers to confederates.
He devoted considerabls space to the
consideration of the status OF the ex-
Confederate soldier. repeating IN spirit his
plea of a month ago for the manifestation
OF good will and brOtherIy kindness to-
wards the late adversaries Of the mo-
ments OF the Grand Army. He said he
had been prompted that appeal by the
belief that such actions would tend 20
bring sin closer together an parts OF the
country I'm the bonds of a common citizen
ship and there were always. he added.
evidences in the responses received from
the southern states that he had not mis-
calculated Indeed. he said. with but
two exceptions the entire press OF the
country speak OF the country and com
mended the spirit OF the latter.
1T IS not expected that the Grand Army
OF the Republic as an organization viii
embark IN the building Of homes for sol
diers north or south. but in no possible
way can the greatest fraternal 0rganiza-
ton in the world more becomingly crown
its labors Of love in behalf OF its own
membership than BY extending the hand
OF helpfulness TO their fellow countrymen,
against whom they were arTayed in dead
IL strife. The most disastrous results Of
a civfl war the animosities and bitter
feelings engendersd thereby and I am
convinced that one OF the most patriotic
services we can render our country is TO
earnestly aid IN removing every barrier
that separates or estranges our people.
The victory at AppOmattox win yield i'm
Projections Of which We do not win the
who wore the gray. The union OF hearts
as well as hands is indispensable TO the
fndissoluble and undestructive country.
The Grand Army OF the Republic has
nothing 10 fear. II IS not untrammelled
with difficulties and in the discharge OF
my duty neither my heart nor my judg-
rneut win consent 10 return 10 you the
great commission committed 10 my trust
one year ago without voiclng the noble
sentiments which know animate all your
hearts, and rest confident in the belief
that no influences or condition north or
south can successfully contract or main
tain a sectional line that VIII prevent the
manifestation OF the most kindly feeling
and cordial good viii BY act as well as BY
speech. between the surviving veterans
OF those who wore the blue and those who
wore the gray"
At the conclusion OF Commander Tor
RANGES address the other reports OF gen
eral officers we're present
IN his report Inspector General Wilfred
A. Wetherbee. Of Boston. says:
II find that our weakest departments as
well as our weakest posts are those which
do not have a wOman's relief corps con-
nected with them. IL Is true that the sue
cess OF all great undertakings has been
largely due 10 the influences OF woman
The Grand Army OF the Republic can give
testimony 70 the truth OF that statement.
1 most earnestly recommend that every
post that is not so best. take steps at
once for the formation OF a corps The
smaller and more remotely situated the
most. the more need OF a corps"
Finances Are Excellent.
Quartermaster General Charles Bur
rows. OF Rutherford. y. j.. furnishes de-
tails concerning the financial affairs OF
the order in the course OF which he says:
Il am glad 20 be able 70 report a good
sound financial condition. the cash in the
general fund and supplies on hand show
Inc. an increase over that OF last year.
ss--f.a southern memorial fund shows 4