The National tribune., 1909-09-02
THE CONrMaNDER-IN-CHIEF.
He Is Given a S,aid Reception by the
Department OF Oregon, g. \. R.

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Editor National tribune: A flasaiight
from the Depar}a4asdht,.!of oregon would
suppose. be WELCOME in helping to IL
iumine the columns of your valuable
and helpful papef. we have been hon,
ored by visit ofrorA5, the newly-elected
-enet,1' Comrade S. X.
Van SAINT. He arrived here from the
National Encan,pmsnt at Salt Lake on
the etening of augs15, and remained
auspices sl, aio Of a. j. 3 Asg faw w. Department. u t
Commander of Oregon, he. was shown
our beautiful City from an auto on the
forenoon OF the 18th.
On the evening Of the 18th he was
rendered an informal reception under
the auspices of Sumner Post, IL, in the
Icommodious .Woodman's Hall, on East
Sixth street. Sumner Post is one of the
most progressive in the Department,
and believes in live men, live issues and
live comradeship. as well as preserving
the memories of the past. 1t has no
foes to punish, and its latchstring will
always be found on the outside.
The party consisted of Commander
in-Chief Van SAINT. Mrs. Van SAINT, Past
Commanders-in-Ch Ell Torrance and
Clarkson, Comrade Collins, Department
Commander of Minnesota, and other
well filled with comrades from all the
Posts in the city and with citizens.
Badges of the G. A. r. were very con-
spicuous, with now and then bright
uniform. National Color bearer A. C.
Edmunds, member of Sumner Post. re-
Gently returned from Salt Lake, was
also present. Mrs. r. Chamberlain. De-
partment President of the w. r. c..
was present at the head of large dele
CATION.
The Chairman of the meeting well
coined the Chief, saying
in part: "Commander-in-Chi Van
SAINT, we welcome you in the name of
these old boys who touched elbows with
you from Bull Run to Appomattox. We
welcome you in the name of these loyal
women, whose sufferings and sacrifices
during that memorable struggle have
become q part of the history of this
Nation. We welcome you in the name
OF this Commonwealth, whose mighty
rivers bear the commerce Of an inland
empire peacefully to the sea, and whose
snowcapped peaks. kissing the clouds in
their grandeur, challenge the admira-
ton of the world. We welcome you in
the name Of our beautiful city, with It's
diversified industries, its magnificent
flowers and Its hospitable people, and
only regret that on account Of your fu-
ture engagements your stay among us
is to be so limited"
The COmmander-in-Chief was then in
troduced, and spoke as follows, in part:
Comrades. / cannot tell you how
much appreciate ti:is affair tonight.
1t is the first public function have at
tended since my election as Command
er-in-Chief. As I have come westward
have felt proud Of my country, proud
OF its greatness and magnif1cence. I
have been greatly impressed with the
development of Sthe. country as 7 have
come westward. 8 1t is my desire during
my term to visit every Department of
the G. A. r. My ycomrades, what we
did for the country may now be seen
in its splendid development. In ad-
vancement, in wealth. lin financial cred
II, in reputation. abroad. this country
has outstripped all 7the Nations of the
world since the war;, and you, comrades,
nave been a greatSdctor in that prog
ress and development.
our country is the most foremost
and most potential on the earth, and
the old soldiers helped to make it, The
earth Is none too good for the old sol
diers: What would have been the re-
suit but for your, bravery and achieve
ment in battle aI But hard conditions
make Nation great; as we'll as they do
an individual. "A Nation that is not
worth fighting for isInot. worth much.
But with all It's wealth. its best asset is