The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-03-21
LONGFELLOW WILL
Be The COMMANDER
Continued From First Page.

was elected Junior vice there was some
good -natured chaff about the editorial
combination, but Commander Macdonald
showed that it had not been a bad
thing for the department financially, as
over 10000 miles of travel of these two
officers in attending encampments and
campfires had been made on editorial
transportation. ,.s..t
Following the Womans Relief corps
gathering of G. A. r. leaders was held
at the Rawlins post hall. About 100
prominent veterans from all parts of
the state were present and various sub
iects of interest to the organization
were discussed. Among the speakers
were Judge Hicks of Minneapolis, De-
partment Commander, G. f. Macdonald
of st. Cloud, Junior Vice Department
Commander Barrett of LIE Sueur, Past
Department Commander w. H. Harries
Of Caledonia, George A. Whitney
Minneapolis. Following the speeches,
light refreshments were served and a
smoke social followed.
feature of the afternoon was the
reading of a letter from Commander
in-Chief Tanner on the recent action in
congress looking toward the ousting of
old soldiers from government positions.
The letter was received with applause
and a glitter of old-time fire in the
eyes of the veterans, which presages
trouble for somebody. Commander-in-
Chief Tanners letter follows:
General sias H. fowler, Junior Vice Com
Dear 7Comrade fowler: Will you please say to
the encampment Of Minnesota next Wednesday
for me the following words?
Comrades of Minnesota was .contempIat
ing giving myself the pleasure of showing up
at your encampment without notifying any
body in advance. of looking you in the face
and giving at least a partial. account Of my
stewardship as commander-in-chief, but to my
amazement and indignation l suddenly hnu
are in for the fight of their lives for their lives
The edict seems to have gone forth from
powerful quarters that the time has arrived
to strike down our comrades who yet survive
aad to give them notice that the old soldier
is not only down, but that he shall be out:
I. This movement is headed by a distinguished
representative in congress from your OWL
state, the Honorable James A. Tawney, who
tho he was boy of IL years of age whel
the war closed. ought to have boyish memories
that would incline him to have friendly
feeling toward the old soldier. and who. repre-
senting state which among her tens of thou
sands of gallant soldiers numbered the Frs
Minnesota. who made the worlds record a
Gettysburg and who saved the day: represent
ing all this. i say, God knows he, ought tt
be the last one to strike, blow at those OF
| us who survive.
These are no times for soft words. We arr
in a fight and it is hard blows, and hard blow
only that will count. Il. trust the Minnesot,
encampment will express itself in no uncertain
! terms. We ask no favors for any comrade il
I public employ who cannot give full compensa
ton.
| We would remind these youths of today tina
! it would be we'll for them to study sacred his
tory.t wherein it. is reeounted that the STRIPPING
| of that time, rebukng the, prophet Elisha. re
! Wiling him account of his advanced years
| were devonred by the bears and were known II
! the future simply disntegrated fragments o
thas-beens. Cordially yours in F.. c. and L.
James Tanner, commander-in- chief G.. A. r.
The afternoon generally was take1
up with routine business