The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-03-13
COMRADES OF CIVIL
WAR GATHER AT
CAMPFIRE
Gov. Van SAINT Reviews Bril-
liant History of G. A. R.
and Sounds Note of Warn
ing Against Disregarding
Laws of the Republic.

To the grayhaired veterans of the
G. A. r. who attended the campfire
held last night at the Central Presby-
terrain church there was little in the
surroundings suggestive of the camp
fires of forty years ago. There were
stands of arms on the platform, all
sizes Of American flags were used as
decorations, and members of the Sons
of Veterans camps in full uniform act
ed as ushers. These added to the sug-
gestiveness of the affair.
AS soon as the programme started.
however, the surroundings were for
gotten and the veterans entered heart
lily into the enjoyment Of the occasion.
The reveille by buglers and that stir
ring air, the Star Snangled Banner"
played by the band, brought the audi
ence to their feet and the flag which
was carried by veteran in the front
OF the stage was saluted in military
style by the old soldiers.
Senior Vice Commander Mahan was
introduced as chairman of the evening,
and he in turn introduced Gov. Van
SAINT, as President Theodore Roose-
velts running mate for 1904"
Points to Proud Record.
81 don't know how it affects YOU"
said the governor as he stepped for
ward to the front of the platform, but
it really makes me blush" and blush
he did as the audience applauded.
Gov. Van SAINT announced that as
Mayor Smith was absent he was eX-
pected to welcome the visitors both
on behalf of thee city and state. AS the
mayor at the G. A. R. encampment in
the morning had given the keys of the
city to the comrades he would extend
the same courtesy to the women and
cordially welcome both to the best the
city afforded. Continuing he said:
How different the campfire of tonight
is from those Of forty years ago. Tonight
the comrades are surrounded by friends
and there is no danger In the real camp
fire of forty years ago there was danger,
and this accounts for the attachment
among the veterans which lasts through
life. Tonight you are but a remnant OF
the G. A. R., but you and those who are
sleeping their long sleep did their duty
that our countrymen might have their
rights under the flag.
You made it possible for fortunes to
be acquired. railroads to be built across
the country and fleets of steamships to be
sailed across the ocean. Can any be
found who will object to what Lincoln
promised that you and the orphans and
widows of your dead comrades would be
provided for? Tonight We are at peace
with the world: Over $50, 600 of your
comrades died that this nation might be
saved. The work was well done. for
when you laid down your arms slavery
was abolished.
to do. The danger is not from without.
We are a united people; We fear no for
eign foe. The combined armies of Eu-
rope, Asia and Africa could not march
will come from within. In this coun-
try of ours. this lesson must be taught
1t is that in obedience to laws lies the
safety of the republic. Every man must
obey the laws or we will have privileged
classes, and when that comes I fear for
the republic" .-.--'-..-'
Noble Examples of Patriotism.
Rev. w. H. w. Boyle spoke briefly
on the work done by the G.. A. r. and
asserted that the members were the
opponents of freemen, liberty and law.
Ninety-five per cent of the members
of the organization had lived life
rejecting honor on themselves and
the country. The young men should
learn lessons from the veterans in pa
triotism.
State Commander Perry Starkweath.
er reviewed the work done by the or
ganization during the past years, and
presented to Commander Prescott, of
John A. Doughty post, of Lake City,
handsome banner, which was
awarded the post for securing the
largest number of new members during
the year.
Past Commanders Ell Torrance and
G. S. Ives followed with brief ad-
dresses, and Mrs. L. J. Taylor, of Mis-
souri,, president of the National Relief
corps, spoke of the 100000 loyal women
who were banded together in that or
ganization to extend the work of
patriotism and love of the flag.
During the evening the Twenty first
infantry band from Fort Smelling, I'M
der the leadership of Director Graves,
contributed an excellent programme Of
patriotic music, and Musician Klein of
the band played a cornet solo which
was received with enthusiastic APP
plause.
Recitations were given by Mrs NJ
Craig and Mrs. Johnson, and the
Phillips quartette contributed several
numbers. John Davern pleased the
audience with a harmonica solo.
On the stage were Gov and Mrs. Van
SAINT, Commander Starkweather and
Mrs. Starkweather, Past Commanders
Ives and Torrance, Judge Wilson, Pat
rick Henry, Capt. Harries, Mrs Cora
F. Wright, Mrs. Adah E. May and Mrs.
L. J. Taylor