The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1906-10-26
Speech of Dept. Commander
Coney at Chanute Oct. 18th

Comrades Of the Grand Army or tn
Republic, Ladies and Gentlemen
| thank you for this courteous am
fraternal greeting. 1t increases 10
action of my fraUernal heart, and yer
ifies the knowledge that l have eve
had that there Is, ratriatism, loyal
ty, gentlelnanlY conduct and PROFIT,
in all fellow citizens. 1t makes M.
Irishheart rejoice. This Invitation
was extended to me as an invitation
to attend camp fire meeting, and
want to talk TO my comrades IN
material interest. animated as far a
possible by the spirit OF patriotism
that S1as animated their lives, ant
that rrought them 10 the tiercest con
test that was ever fought between
men and men, for the preservation OF I
Republic, the Republic Of Washing
ton, of Jefferson, Of Lincoln and Vi
Sheridan and their com patriots, fol-
the preservation Of government o.
man, inspired by God, and who &C
complished the greatest work &C
complished by man, since Gods ligh
shone, and inspired habitation of thi'
earth.
In making this statement, am not
despairing of the majestic patriotism
that inspired the birth Of this Nation
They wrought it under the most hor
ried persecution, they wrought 1t
under the most trying self denials and
fortitude, they wrought it under d
h4roism prec1dented before them.
They wrought it from the loins ana
hearts of men. who came under the
sign of the Cross, from the lands o.
persecution from the North lands,
and British shores aud planted it III
the South. They came with the May
flower, the Pilgrim Fathers, and Il,
was the most beautiful example OF
fraternal manhood
Not unmindful Of the sacrifice,
made 10 bringing forth this govern
ment Of NAL, these men of 1861, stood
for all the fore fathers Of the Re.
public had stood for, they stood for all
that Christian civilization preceding
them had stood for, they stood for
life and liberty, and they did NOR {,
they made the Declaration Of indie
pendence to mean in spirit as III word,
that this is as the land of the II ee ano
the nome of the brave, and that men
! ave certain inallenable rights, among
which are life, liberty and the pur
suit of happiness, and in order that
he might enjoy these rights govern
ments were established among men,
1t clarified that government, it puri-
fled the constitution oil the bred Scott
decision that black men have no
rights that white man could respect.
1t made this government In their
blood. They made that starry
banner the emblem of the free, and
it no longer contain a black slave.
They did more than that. They stood
for all that the soldier OF the War
with Mexico did, when they planted
the Stars OF old Glory on the ramparts
Uf Chspultepec, they stood Tor all
that civilized nations had ever stood
for.
They gave to the world the beautl-
full hope OF liberty aud the right to
worship God according to his cwn
dictates and his own conscience, and
to enjoy the fruits Of their labor in
their own vine yard. They opened
the avenues Of industry, they started
the wheels Of progress, they opened
the boundless and limitless possibili-
ties OF men, they gave greater hope
aud inspiration to Christian clvIliza-
ton than it had ever had before, and
when that great srmy's accomplish
ment was oyer they turned it back 10
the more peaceful walks and avocs
lions OF life. to reclaim the burdens
OF the government they had made 10