The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-10-22
THE G. A. R. ENcAMPMEN1
Tho Thirty-sixth Annual Reunion o.
the Veterans Held in Washington.
Camp Roosevelt. On tho white House
Grounds. Dedicated-Addrsss OF Wei.
come Delivered BY Secretary Hay.

Washington. D. Ceremonies Incl
dent to the beginning Of the thirty
sixth encampment Of the Grand Army
of the Republic were varied In charac
ter and mostly seml-officlal. The only
formal proceeding Of the day was the
dedication of Camp Roosevelt. the
tented city on the White House
grounds. used as the headquarters OF
the several corps organizations during
the week.
The ceremonies there consisted Of ad'
dresses by men Of national reputation,
the chief speech being delivered by
Secretary Hay. The interesting Incl.
dents Of the day, outside tie dedication
ceremonies at Camp Roosevelt. in.
cluded fine regatta on the Potomac.
an attractive automobile parade. an in.
teresting procession by the Red Men
and fireworks In the evening.
Camp Roosevelt In on the White Lot,
just west of the White House. and be.
tween that building and Washington
monument. The dedication ceremonies
were presided over by B. II. Warner.
Chairman Of the Citizens Committee
OF the District Of Columbia. and were
largely attended by the veterans and
by citizens of Washington.
When Secretary Hay spoke he was
frequently interrupted by cheers. He
said in part:
In the name Of the President and In
lis stead I bid you welcome to Wash.
,ngton. ! need not say that on every
inch of American soil, wherever that
starry banner waves. you are at home.
and need no formal words Of welcome.
But especially In this capital city Of the
Republic you fought to preserve you
are the children of the house; the doors
are always open to you. Wherever you
turn you are reminded Of the history
Of which you are part.
1.-THE normal condition Of the Repub.
lie Is peace, but not the nerveless peace
Of helplessness. We do not need the
overgrown armaments Of Europe. Our
admirable regular force. with Its per-
feet drill and discipline, though by far
the smallest In the world in proportion
to population. Is sufficient for our or
binary wants: but when the occasion
calls, when the vital interests or the
honor Of the country are threatened.
when the National conscience Is
aroused. an army will spring from
the soil. so vast. so docile. 50 intelli-
gent. so formidable. that 1t need not
fear to try conclusions with any army
on the face Of the earth"
Commander.in-Ch Chief Torrance then
spoke warmly Of the reception given
the veterans and closed with the re-
mark: I'VE were good soldiers be-
cause We had been good citizens. We
had been made good ci:izens at our
own firesides."
Secretary Moody spoke for Secretary
Root. who was detained by official busl-
ness. Governor Bliss of Michigan
spoke briefly. and r. +. Bingham. COM
mander Of the Department of the Po-
tomac, delivered the welcoming ad-
dress In behalf Of the local Grand
Army. and was followed by a few
words Of thanks to all by Colonel Nc
Eiroy. A handsome flag was then un-
furled from tall pole surmounting the
platform. and with the firing Of Ma
tional salute Of twenty-one guns the
camp exercises closed.