Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-08-20

San Francisco, Aug. 20-The thirty
seventh annual encampment OF the
Grand Army of the Republic opened
this morning at the Grand opera
house. Commander in Chief Thomas
j. Stewart, read his annual report,
which was read with applause.
Stewards Report.
The report Of Thomas J. Stewart,
the commandersip chief. contained the
following:
For the second time in its history
the Grand Army of the Republic has
journeyed to the Pacific coast to hold
it's annual encampment. When we
met in the city of San Francisco sew
enteen years ago, the eastern shores
OF the Pacific ocean marked the west
ern boundary of the republic. Since
that time, the foes of other days, the
men who wore the blue and gray in
the greatest war known in all time,
have marched together under the
flag OF united country, and carried
it forward in the march of civiliza-
tion and of progress. Today as sur
viving soldiers of the war for the sup
preston of the rebellion, and the pre-
servation and continuance of the un-
ion, we rejoice in the added glory of
the flag, and the greatness and power
of the nation, all of which emphasizes
the grand results of the war in which
we bore part, the crowning glory of
which was the inestimable blessings
conferred on the, human race.
Gains in Membership.
The gains in membership the past
year by muster were S.1S3; transfer,
1903; reinstatement. 11,673; the loss
es. by death, 1856; honorable dis
charge, 76 delinquent reports, 5,022;
net loss, 7,245.
Memorial Day.
"The observance of Memorial day was
of character to assure us that the
hearts of the people of the land is still
in sympathy with the beautiful and inn
pressive service. There have been. as
there always will be, some who will
disregard the obligations that rest up
on all the people TO pay tribute to
those whose yalor secured them the
blessings and security which this and
future generations will enjoy and share.
We cannot but hail with delight the
participation in the ceremonies of the
school children of the land. | believe
that in this direction is one of the
ways, if not the surest way, to perpet-
uate the day. We must invoke aid in
the work. Our numbers grow less, and
the sacred mounds increase in number
with each passing year.
Exercises in Schools.
''In many localities appropriate exer-
cises are held in the public schools,
and the children told the story of the
days of the war, and the meaning OF
the service of Memorial day. What
more impressive sight than to see the
children of the land gathering from
the fields and garden, hill and valley,
the sweet flowers of springtime, to
lay them lovingly upon soldier and
sailor graves, or with song cast them
upon the waters in tribute to our brave
ones who sleep in the gardens of the
sea? Let them in childhood strew the
flowers and sing the songs, and they in
turn will teach their children to do the
same, and thus truly will our dead be
remembered by our children, and our
children's children through genera
tions yet to be.
The Women's Relief.
''The> Women's Relief Corps contin-
ues with unabated zeal the splendid
work to which it is devoted and for
which it is organized The Ladies
| of the Grand Army are none the less
earnest and active in the work in
which they are SO lovingly and Loyalty
engaged
Sons of Veterans.
The name Sons of Veterans is full
of meaning. They feel that theirs
(Coptinrad IN pooa 81