The Washington times., 1902-10-07
lcontinued from 1hird Page.l

Of every soldier of the Republic in this
goodly company when say that we love
the city of Washington. TApplause.l We
love it for its memories. for that end
less line in blue who, in the hour of the
nations direst need. came from every
lives if need be in defense of their
country.
Tribute to Washington City.
1T was in this city where many of us
said our last farewells to those we loved
as We crossed this historic river and
entered upon the great battlefields of
Virginia, many thousands of them never
to return. II is in this city that
there has been erected the most sacred
altar around which the soldiers of the
Republic may gather. Wherever the flag
floats, the soldier of the Republic is at
home But in a peculiar sense We are
al home here today. and the welcome is
no less generous than We expected it 10
be when we left our homes and set our
faces toward this city of our chief af-
fection.
This is denominated camp. resting
place, place to tarry for the night. it
is emblematic of progress and a move
ment forward, and in every step of
progress that this nation has made,
since the foundation of the Government
was made, the soldier cf the Republic
has been at the front; he has been on
the firing line, and without his sacrifices
and without his great work nothin;
could have been accomplished of per-
manency or value.
People Love the Old Soldier.
I'VE know that we are beloved by the
people of this country. This country
would not have been worth fighting for if
II had not been filled with men and
women whose hearts were big enough to
love every soldier of the Republic. When
the army was disbanded, as has been
stated here today, some of the wise men
and philosophers across the sea pre-
dicted that this nation might suffer harm
by reason of the disbanding of such an
invincible army as had responded to
the call of the immortal Lincoln. But
there was no danger. We were good
soldiers because we had first. been good
citizens; because we first of all loved
cur homes. 1t is around the hearthstonc
and the freside where the patriotism OF
the county is made: 1t is the mothers
prayer and her blessing that make tbs
true soldier. So when the war was ove-
we could scarcely tarry long enough in
Washington 10 take part in that magnifi-
cent review.
Wanted to Go Back Home.
I'VE wanted to go back home. Our
faces had, during all the four years. been
turned homeward, but our feet led us
the other way because duty called US in
aefense of the flag. This country, its
flag. and its institutions can suffer no
Harm from the young man who is willing
10 lay all upon the altar of his country.
He cannot be other than one of the best
OF our citizens. We shall accept of your
hospitality in the spirit in which it has
been rendered. We shall rest here unde-
the peaceful shadows for few short
hours and then We shall set our faces
again homeward and our contant prayer
and supremest desire shall be for the
prosperity and perpetuity of this beloved
Republic, and that those who shall sue
coed US in all generations shall not only
enjoy the blessings which envelop us
this evening but shall enjoy them a
hundredfold.''
The next number on the program was
a selection by the George W. Cook fife
and drum corps, of Denver ,seventy
pieces), which was received with dem
onstrations of approval.
Secretary Moody, of the navy. who
had come over to attend the opening of
the encampment in place of Secretary
Root, was next presented. His i'm
promptu address was a feature of the
dedication. He spoke especially for the
veteran sailors and the accomplishments
of the navy, and his utterances seemed
to touch a popular chord with rhe great
audience before him. 1t contained
touch of human interest, and so stirred
the assemSlage that the veterans were
unwilling for him to stop.