The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1902-10-10

that thr.ved IN the very hardshlps oi
war. They were the last 10 leave the
field and anong the iRst to apply fot
relief NJ the hands Of the government.
they have borne an honored part In ad
vancing the interests OF the country
For more than third of a century
and At this late day. when in their old
age ,they apply for help. they should
not be regarded With disfayor because
they did not apply earlier"
General Torrance declared that no
pecunary compensation ever could be
made TO those who preserved the Union
for that was debt Of gratitude. which
could not be paid with dollars and
cents.
The patriotic Impulse that moved us
10 lay all on the altar Of country, had
no fellowship with mercenary motive.
We did not belittle the grandeur Of
the cause in which We engaged by CAL
! culatIng or personal gain. The In
adequacy OF our pay but added 10 the
dignity Of the penalties we suffered.
Under the pitilcss skies thousands OF
, our comrades suffered as prisoners Of
war, but no complaint escaped their
lips Release on terms OF renuncia.
ton OF their fealty 10 the flag were
rejected with their expiring breath.
on the field Of battle, fruitIess assaults
were Often made in the face Of certain
death. but no one fai,ered IN response
20 the unwlse command. Those were
days OF unquestioned heroism. supreme
devotion and unparalleled sacrifice and
in these latter days the rear guard OF
that immortal ARMY should exhibit Ii
spirit no less heroic than that mani.
tested by those who fell In the FORE
ground OF the conflict so many years
ago"
General Torrance paid high tribute to
the work OF the Woren's Auxiliary or
CARNATIONS including the Relief Corps
and the Ladies OF the Grand Army Of
The Republic. and also made an appeal
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
consideration OF the statues OF the ex-
Confederate soldier, repeating in spirit
his plea OF a month ago for the mani
fcstatIon Of good will and brotherly
Kindness toward the late adversaries
of the members OF the Grand Army. |
He said he had been prompted in maxi
ing that appeal by the belief that such |
actions would tend to bring still closer |
together all parts OF the country In |
the bonds of common citizenship and
there were already, he added, evidence
in the responses received from the
Southern states that he had not mis-
calculated. Indeed. he said, with but
two exceptions the entire press Of the
country 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
lotnes for soldiers North or South, but
n no possible way can the greatest
'raterual organization in the world
more becouingly crown its labors OF
owe in behalf Of its own membership
han by extending the hand of helpful ,
less to their fellow countrymen, {
.galnsI whom they were once arrayed
n deadly strife. The most disas- ,
rous results Of Civil war are ami
nositlss and bitter feelings engendered
hereby and | am convinced that one
{ the most patriotic services we can l
cndrr our country is to earnestly ala
removing every barrier that separ-
tes us or. estranges the people TIL"
ictory at Appomattox will not yield $
ruiz IL we do not win the hearts rs $
,ell as the flags of the men who wore d
ne gray. II
"a union of hearts as we'll as ct |,
nnds is indispensable TO an indlssol-
ble union of indestructible states Fl
"The Grand Army of the Republic el
rs nothing to fear. 1t is not tram e
,eled by political creeds nor embar- t'
,ssed by sectarian controversies ana W
the discharge of my duty neither my h
cart nor my Judgment will consent to a
,turn to you the great commission a
,mmittad 10 my trust one year ago h,
ithout voicing the noble sentiments OF
hich know animate all your hearts sc
nd | rest confident in the belief tha' fl
, influences or conditions North or st
,uth can successfully construct or II
aintain sectional line that will pre- re-
mt the manifestation of the most liz
ndly feeling and cordial good will by
t as veil as by speech between the C
lrvlving veterans of those who wore
e blue and those who wore the gray
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