Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1902-09-09
VETERANS GOING INTO CAMP
Annual RsuniSn Of the G. A. R. Opens
Under AuIpiciOus Circumstances.
BRYAN OPENS EXERCISES WITH SPEECH
Soldiers Find Everything in Good
shape for Their Arrival at
Camp sherman, Near
Hastings.

HASTINGS, Neb., Sept. s.-(Special Tele-
gram.)-The annual state reunion Of the
Grand Army Of the Republic was opened
here today when Camp Sherman was turned
over to the Department Commander c. F.
Steele, who Immediately took charge and
gave the camp a touch OF military life
Almost the entire day was spent in prepar-
atoiy work, but now everything is moving
along smoothly
The only event at Camp Sheridan today
was the address by Hon. w. J. Bryan.
The speaker was met at the train by a
large delegation of Hastings prominent
business men and was escorted to the
grounds In carriage containing Mayor
Miles, w. H. Lanning and J. N. Lyman. On
account of the inclemency of the weather,
there was a small attendance on the grounds
when Mr.. Bryan arrived, but there were
enough to crowd the large tent where
the speaking took place. After America"
had been sung, and invocation pronounced
by Rev. John Prower, the speaker of the
day was introduced by Commander Steele.
Mr.. Bryan began by saying that while he
was a colonel and came by his title honestly
he never desired to be addressed by that
prefix except when somebody else who had
no lawful claim to the title was being
bb duuTeSSeu III the SpdulBu-AueT-
lean unpleasantness he had learned a great
deal about war and one thing was that
the women left behind suffered more than
the men who marched to the front, as
they we're not only left with a double duty
to perform. but had always that picture
of deaths battlefield before them. How
ever, 1t was his opinion that those Of the
Spanish-American war who did not see act
ual service did not feel as though they
were real soldiers and yet they were as
true and loyal as though they had fought
In the thickest of the fray.
EuIogixes the Volunteers.
Mr.. Bryan said he did not enjoy talking
when there wasn't any politics in It and
then he began to euloglze the American
volunteer soldier, who is a warrior in time
Of war and a good American citizen in time
Of peace. He fights better for love Of coun-
try than the hired soldier, who fights only
for the almighty dollar. Mr. Bryan's def
inition Of a patriot was one who gives his
heart and hand TO his country, also his life
II need be. He wanted it thoroughly under
stood that he was very much in favor of
liberal pension laws, and then he closed
with few quotations from Abraham Lin
coin. whom he considers one of the greatost
men that ever lived.
camp fire was held tonight under the
charge of General A. " Cole and it wNs
quite interesting and we'll attended.
The program for tomorrow is a band con-
cert by Bonds military band at the camp
grounds at 1890. In the afternoon Judge
Norris. republican candidate for congress
from the Fifth district will address the
veterans. camp fire will be held at s
o'clock and will be presided over by some
local man, assisted by Chaplain Jesse Cole
of Marshalltown, Ia, who will deliver his
famous lecture on -Four Years to the
Front" A. r. Hutchins of Des Moines will
also speak.
The attendance was somewhat light this
afternoon, but all the late incoming trains
have been heavily loaded and the camp
grounds are now thoroughly crowded.