Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-28
SERVE AS SAFEGUARD
MAJ. PIcKETT's COMPLIMENT TO
VETERAN ORGANIZATIONS :

ut Is good thing for this country that
we have such patriotic organizations as the
United Spanish War Veterans" said Major
George E. Pickett, United States army. in
an address last evening before the Fourth
Immune Camp Of Spanish War Veterans at
Costellos Hall. such soldier societies will
prove to be one Of the greatest safeguards
to this land should wela again become in
volved In war with a foreign power, and
they should therefore be encouraged and
fostered by all good citizens who love their
country"
Major Pickett is son of the late Gen.
Pickett of the confederate army in the civil
war. whose men in gray made the immortal
charge at Gettysburg. The major Is an Of
ftcer In the pay department Of the army. In
the war with Spain he was captain Of a
company in the 4th United States Volunteer
Infantry Qmmupes). The speaker paid a
high tribute to the veterans of the civil
war. both those who wore the blue and those
who wore he gray. and patheticaily de-
scrfbed the passing of 1.-The disappearing
army" Major Pickett said the men who are
sustaining such associations of fighting men
are their ceuntry's benefactors; that in
maintaining such a heaven of patriotism in
this hur1y-burfy age of conmercialisn and
money getting they are distinctly beneflting
their government.
Major Pickett gave some interesting Incl
dents of his experience with the army in
by the veterans.
Succeeded by Campfire.
At the close OF the business session of the
camp the meeting was merged into a camp
fire and refreshments were served. Capt.
William Peacock. camp commander. then
called upon Department Commander J..
Walter Mitchell. who described what has
been accomplished by Past COMMANDMENT
mander, Capt. Hamilton Ward Of Buffalo.
to place the Spanish War Veterans on a
footing which would make them available
at once as a second army reserve In case
Of war. 1t Is proposed to have the War
Department issue modern rifles and aanmu-
milton to each of the camps. so that the
former soldiers can perfect themselves as
marksmen and sharpshooters-
Attention was called to the steps that are
being taken to purchase home building for
the camps Of Spanish War Veterans In the
District The department commander also
said that In view of the action of the Okla
homa constitutional convention in inserting
q clause in the state constitution disfranchis-
ing soldiers, sailors and marines, steps are
being taken to have the next national en-
campment held at Richmond, Va, or some
place other than Oklahoma City.
Capt William Mellach described his plan
for instructing all soldiers of the war with
Spain In craftsmanship and declared that
the wars of the future will be won by the
countries that have the best shooters or
individual marksmen. AS an evidence Of
the effectiveness of this he pointed to the
handful Of Beers holding the trained armies
of Great Britain at bay and defeating them
In several decisive battles
Predicts Another War.
Department mastering Officer G. Leyburn
Shorey predicted that another war is In
evitable in the near future and urged that
this country be ready for the fray when
it comes. Department Quartermaster
Thomas A. Green spoke of the distinguished
military and naval men who are connect
ing themselves with the United Spanish
War Veterans and said the son of Sena-
tor Daniel of Virginia will soon be a re-
cruit In the organization.
Other addresses were made by Capt. Pea
cock, Capt. Homer J. Locking. Mr. Stuart
Cotton. California banker and capitalist
who is taking much interest in the Or
ganization of Spanish War Veterans;
Messrs. Thompson, Edward Robb and
others.
Announcement was made that the COM
mittee on the purchase of home building
for the organization will meet at 8 O'Clock
tomorrow evening in the chapel of Hindle
and Bayliss. corner Of 5th and streets
when definite arrangements will, be made
for the purchase of home. =