Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-10

an encampment that has been characterized
by an exceptional degree of peace, harmony
and good feeling. The reason you veterans
have assembled here is that the old soldier
never grows so old that he is not anxious
to learn more to help him to love his coun
try with deeper reverence and with
greater patriotism. This desire to learn
more of patriotism has been a great factor
in placing America in the front rank of all
the nations of the earth. And we, as vete
rams of the civil war. are glad to have had
some part in making this nation what 1T Is.
mo hands are to be laid upon any one
while he Is making a speech here tonight,
and any one who feels moved to talk can
do so with safety"
Secretary Roots Remarks.
The speaker then introduced Secretary
Root as citizen who is as greatly loved by
the members of the G. A. R. as any man in
their ranks.
When the Secretary arose the crowd
cheered Justify and the band played strain
of Marching Through Georgia" Secretary
Root, in his opening remarks, said that he
came to shake hands with the old soldiers
and to converse with them and not to de-
liver an address. Continuing, he said:
81 am glad for the opportunity in this
public manner to say one thing that prob
ably have not said at the various meetings
where I have spoken the past week, and
regrets his inability to be with you. Young
as he is. he has shown that he Is possessed
Of the spirit of 1861. No fame that can
come to him Is so dear to his heart as the
fame you have won for his country, and
the fame he intends to keep bright and fair
so long as he has the power to do so.
81 think there Is no evidence quite so
strong Of the patriotic character Of the
great struggle in which you engaged as
the sweet and amlable feeling that has sue
ceeded that struggle. When men fight out
question face to face. man fashion, they
learn to respect each other for their re-,
spective virtues You and the men on the
other side have performed something that
has never before been known. in that after
great civil war. after boodshed, suffering
and sacrifice almost incredible, the two
sides to the conflict should. in the same gen.
GRAFTON. become reconciled.
That this has come to pass will be Of in
estimable value to your children, for gen.
erations to come Will gather the spirit of
their fathers and will try to emulate their
example. One hundred years could not DO
SO well what you and your friends, the en-
envy have been able to do in this genera
ton.
The men north and south have left to
their children the memory Of strife in
which all bitterness is ended and all bad
feeling is effaced. Today you men of the
Union army are teaching the people that
you were not only brave, but magnanimous;
not only fierce in battle. but gentle as citi-
Zens
Il believe that the United States Of Amer
lea is the best country in this world I be-
lieve that the people of the United States
the best and most agreeable people in
the world. l believe they are honest hui
name, just and courageous. 1 believe they
are unwilling to do wrong, and have the
courage, unity of purpose and persistency to
do what is right, whatever comes. and that
the spirit you illustrated for years ago
the young men of today illustrate In their
time. This country of ours will prove 20
be the missionary of liberty and justice 20
all the world