Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-18
HALF CENTURY MARX
GRAND ARMY NEARING ITs
FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY.
Celebration by George n. Thomas
Post-Patriotic Addresses Pre-
cede the Refreshments.

The Grand Army Of the Republic is near
ing the half century mark of its existence.
The first post of the Grand Army Of the
Republic was organized by DR.. B. F. Ste
phenson April 8, 1865, at Decatur, Ill. In
commemoration Of this fortieth anniversary
year Gen. James Tanner, when commander
in-chief, recommended that ali of the posts
of the Grand Army of the Republic, num-
bering 1916. should commemorate the found
ing of the organization at some time during
the year 1906. Gen. George H. Thomas Post
of the Department of Potomac, Col. Ed.
Keller, commander, held it's anniversary
celebration Friday evening in compliance
with the suggestion of Gen. Tanner, and 1t
is said to be the only post in the Dep1rt-
ment of Potomac that has held such exer-
c.ses.
Thomas Post entertained it's numerous
guests in the Relief Corps Hall in North
east Temple. the principal speaker being w.
L. Andrews. auditor for the Treasury De-
partnlent, who was kid" at the breaking
out of the war, but who declared in the
course of his remarks that his life and all
its energies are devoted 70 the interests Of
the veterans of the civil war. His remarks
were altogether of a patriotic nature, and
il was suggested that the Department of the
Potomac, q. n. R., have the address printed
in pamphlet form and distributed to the pu-
Veterans as Saving Factor.
The speech was directed entirely to the
saving factor the veterans of the Grand
Army of the Republic had been in preserv-
ing nation and flag to love. He declared
that without the hero:sm of the veterans Of
the civil war the country would be today a
lot of little jarring nations, preying upon
each other, for the doctrine of states rights
hnNr n tni yaI nd
satisfied with any of the other states would
have broken away
Disunion, he said meant entire disruption.
He thought that history should be written
correctly and issues differentiated so that
the students of the future might not con-
fuse them and draw wrong conclusions. He
declared that there was splendid herOism
on both sides in the conflict, and history
should not belittle either, for both fought
valianty, and both being of one blood was
the reason for this, but one fought for a
wrong cause. and this must ever be remem-
bered and SO written down.
Mr.. Andrews address was greeted with
applause He was preceded by Commander
Keller. who briefly summed up the story of
the organization of the Grand Army OF the
Republic and it's auxiliary, the Woman
Relief Corps. He tot. of the splendid work
that both organizations had done for char
ity and for the spreading of patriotism,
and declared that the mission of the Grand
Army of the Republic and of the veterans Of
the civil war would not be ended SO long
as one of them remained above ground to
celebrate Memorial day and Flag day.
These two observances, he declared, had
been instituted, the one by the Grand Army
of the Republic, when Gen. John A. Logan
was commander-n- chief. and the other by
the Weman's Relief Corps at Indianapolis
in 1893. These. he said, were monuments to
the two organizations that would live as
long as time.
Urges Cooperation.
Commander Entrikin, who was present
with his staff. spoke in deep appreciation
of the sentiments of Mr.. Andrews, and
urged hearty cooperation of all patriotic
organizations in the work of preserving his
tory and the propagation Of patriotism.
among the visiting veterans present were
Capt. Graham, senior vice department COM
mander; Capt. Walker, junior vice depart
ment commander; Assistant dit. Gen. Web
ster, Past Department Commanders Israel
P. Stone, Col B. F. Bingham, Coz Wander
hooef, COL. King, Capt. o. H. Oldfoyd, Col
Mccullough Capt. =. A. Sidman, COM
mander Cushing Camp, S. o. "; Rev. ]. L.
Boenizer, chaplain Gushing Camp.
After the exercises Of the program were
completed the ladies of Geo. H. Thomas
Relief Corps, Mrs. Kaufman. president,
served refreshments.