Los Angeles herald., 1906-07-03
VETERANS OF 80
HONOR MEN OF '65
SPANISH WAR VISITORS GO TO
SOLDIERS HOME
Stirring Address by Generals La
Grange, Otis, Prescott and others
kindle Martial Memories.
Venice Visited, Too

young old veterans of the Spanish
war made a pilgrimage to the Soldiers
home at Sawtelle yesterday to pay
their respects to the warriors of the
COS
AS guests of General Sherman the
119 delegates to the encampment, which
opened It's annual session at the Ar
mory yesterday, made the picturesque
trip by trolley, inspected the nations
grounds and her grizzled wards sa-
luted the spirit of the old and the new
In warfare and wound UP the afternoon
by visiting Venice.
Three decorated coaches bore the
visitors, each guest waving flag
and women and children adding the
sentiment that the soldier boy of today
loves as much as the fighter of yes
terday.
The military band at the home made
a melodious welcome to the Spanish
veterans, scores of Sawtelle residents
were lined up at the entrance and bat
teries of cameras clicked welcome as
the Californians marched in single file
in reverent review.
Through Serried Ranks
Governor La Grange and staff, with
the encampment officers, led the way
as barracks after barracks was passed.
In front of each of the big structures
the soldier guests were lined up in dou
BILE file and through their ranks the
visitors passed in perfect step.
The entire grounds were traversed in
this way, the parade winding up at
Ward Memorial hall, where after re-
freshments haG been partaken of seats
were taken in order to listen to the
brief exercises that had been prepared
in an impromptu manner.
Governor La Grange welcomed the
veterans of the latest war and intro
6I1no6 Gtafn Con, nd 81
Dawson of San Jose to those present.
Commander Davison's Greetings
1T pleases me and my comrades to-
day." he said, ito meet my fathers
comrades in arms.
I'VE who have helped to extend lib
erty abroad deem it an honor to meet
those who saved our country years
ago.
1--WE realize that the men who are
here today are growing old and that
they helped to bring about a reunited
country. We younger veterans helped
to bind the bonds closer.
I'VE again pledge our willingness to
take up the guns when they are laid
down and to fight for old glory when
occasion arises
Governor La Grange remarl - re-
ncltously that the veterans had let the
c1ty's visitors do the marching while
they had looked on, but were delighted
TO welcome them to the increa sing
ranks of veterans. He promised that
If any of the young veterans felt that
they needed home such as that at
Sawtelle they would be given a cordial
reception at the hands of their nation.
General Otis Cheered
He then introduced Gen. Harrison
Gray Otis as veteran of two wars
and faithful friend of the soldiers.
and at the suggestion of some one the
audience gave rousing cheers for Gen.
Otis.
Gen. Otis said that it was a great
thing to have served the flag. The
proudest act any soldier could do was
to have served in time of war, main
tanning the integrity of the United
States and the principles of the re-
public.
THE loyalty of every citizen" he de-
clared, lis what makes a government
such as ours possible, especially a re-
publican form of government.
As | see you soldiers merging on a
common platform, rejoicing in the COM
mon knowledge that your bravery has
helped to keep the flag aloft I share
with you the desire to preserve the
memories kindled by the wars in which
you were engaged.
80 far as l have a right to speak
for Los Angeles and Southern Califor-
nai I bid you welcome to the south
land.
A Nations Gratitude
Here you see before you evidences
of our-your-great republic in the shell
tered. beautiful homes the nation pro-
vides for her sons worn by the strug-
giles of war and weakened by the
wounds and disease incident to that
warfare.
1--WE have here in command that gall
liant soldier and gentleman, Gen. La
Grange, with a record that any man
might be proud of. 1 congratulate SO
able man, so loving citizen and so
appreciative a governor of this great
soldiers home.
"And, in closing, l hope that you
soldiers of a later period may carry
away with you splendid Impressions of
this southland, for California will al
ways be with the men who fought for
the flag"
Gen. Frank Prescott, the next speak
err, made a plea for personality.
Personality Dominates
"As l with others marched between
the ranks of the veterans of previous
war today | was struck with the
thought of personality" said he.
1--WE remember the sacred memory
of Lincoln, but we also remember the
personality that dominated this country
when millions of men made the earth
shake.
1--WE had a great man at the head
of the nation then. We have a great
man at the head of the nation now.
(Cheers)
ut was the inspired personality of
Mckinley that made the war with
Spain over Cuba and the Philippines
such a short one.
After all. the wars are over, but we
have still before us the war with an
archy, the great duties of citizenship
and the protection of the purity and
virtue of our nation.
"And 1t is with these thoughts that
we celebrate the Fourth of July"
Eloquenee at Venice
The ranks were reformed and the
veterans retraced their steps to the
waiting cars. waving flags as they
went and cheering the boys of '61, who