Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-10-09

mand. Those We're days OF unquestloh-
ed heroism, supreme devotion, ana uh-
paralleled sacrifice; and in these later
days the rear guard of that Immortal
army, should exhibit a spirit no less
heroic than that manifested by those
who fell in the foreground of the con-
fiict SO many years ago.
General Torrance paid high tribute to
the work OF the wornens' auxiliary or
ganizations, including the Relief Corps
and the Ladies Of the Grand Army OF
the Republic, and also made an ap-
peal for the proper recognition of the
Sons of Veterans, saying on the latter
point:
"Posterity, for which we fought, has
not only arrived, but will soon become
the exclusive custodians of our coun-
try's destiny, and who more worthily
than our sons can take up and carry
forward the unfinished work of the
Grand Army of the Republic?"
He devoted considerable space to the
consideration of the statues of the ex-
confederate soldier, repeating in spirit
his plea of a month ago for the mani
festation of goodwill and brotherly
Kindness towards the late adversaries
of the members of the Grand Army. He
said he had been prompted in making
that appeal by the belief that such ac-
tons would tend to bring still closer to-
gether all parts of the country in the
bonds of common citizenship, and
there We're already, he added. evidences
in the responses received from the
southern states that he had not miscal-
culated. Indeed, he said, with but two
exceptions the entire press of the coun-
try had commended the spirit of the
letter.
Continuing on this point he said:
1T is not expected that the Grand
Army of the Republic as an organiza-
ton will embark in the building of
homes for soldiers north or south, but
in no possible way can the greatest fra
ternal organization 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 countl'ymen against whom
they were once arrayed in deadly strife.
The most disastrous results of a civil
war are the animOsitles and bitter
feelings engendered thereby, and am
convinced that one of the most patri-
otic services we can render our country
is to earnestly aid In removing every
barrier that separates or estranges the
people. The victory at Appomattox will
yield imperfect fruit IL we do not win
the hearts as well as the flags of the
men who wore the gray. union of
hearts as well as of hands is indispen-
sable to an indissoluble union of inde-
structible states.
"The Grand Army Of the Republic has
nothing to fear. It is not trammeled by
political creeds. nor embarrassed by
sectarian controversies, and In the dis
charge of my duty neither my heart nor
my Judgment will consent to return to
you the great commission committed to
my trust one year ago without voicing
the noble sentiments which I know an
innate all your hearts, and I rest conf
f,ant in the belief that no Influences or
conditions north or south can success
fully construct or maintain sectional
line that will prevent the manifestation
of the most kindly feeling and cordial
goodwill by act no we'll as by speech
between the surviving veterans Of those
who wore the blue and those who wore
the gray"
The report of the adjutant general
shows on June thirtieth last, the Grand
Army roll contained 263.745 names of
members in. good standing, loss since
the preceding year of 5.S04. The death
loss was 8,299. He said there are still!
living over 100000 men who took part
in the civil war, less than seventy five
thousand Of whom are over sixty-two.