Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1910-09-28
GILMAN MADE CHIEF
BOSTON MAN ELECTED TO HIGH.
EST OFFICE IN GRAND
ARMY.
1923 VETERANS DIE IN 1909
Retiring Commander, Van SAINT, Pays
High Tribute to Soldiers of Con-
federacy-His Remarks Greeted
With Applause at Encampment.

Atlantic City. N. 1.-THE national
encampment of the Grand Army of
the Republic Thursday elected John
T.. Gilman of Boston commander-in-
chief for the ensuing year, John Nc.
Elroy. the only other aspirant for the
Office, withdrawing his name prior to
the election.
In opening the business session of
the national encampment the retiring
commanderin-chief. Samuel R. Van
SAINT, of Minnesota, gave a compre-
hensive review Of the work of the or
ganization for the past year and out
lined what might be accomplished for
the good of the order in the future.
The commander spoke earnestly as
ne expressed his qualification at the
Increasing determination of the blue"
and the gray"
When he said that no Drawer troops
were ever marshaled for conflict than
the southern soldiers and that the
Union veterans now realize that no
men ever made greater sacrifices for
what they believed to be right than
their former foes, the commander was
applauded.
The commander expressed pleasure
at the cordial reception given him dur
ing his recent official visit to the
southern department. not only from
the former Union soldiers, but from
ex-confederates, and continued:
In all cities. when possible, urged
Joint meetings of the blue and the
gray. We had many gatherings Of
this character and no more loyal and
patriotic sentiments were ever uttered
than by the men who fought on the
other side.
Comrades. we were the victors, and
we can afford to be magnanimous to
our old foes. 1t is easy for the victor
to forgive, but when the vanquished
absolves himself from all bitterness
he has truly gained the most cher
ished trait of noble character.
We won-they lost. We returned
to our homes with the shouts of vic
tory ringing in our ears, our cause tri-
umphant. They were defeated, their
cause lost. and they returned to homes
destroyed, barns empty, money worth
less. slaves free and ruin all about them
ANY but brave people would have
yielded to those adverse conditions;
not so with them. Bravely as they
fought during the war, they now
fought the battles of life. and the
splendid growth and development of
the south since the close of the war
Is the south's grandest and most en-
during monument.
United as we now are, our country
Is destined to make new era Of
progress. We have by our united eff
forts advanced to the highest pinnacle
OF fame and become mighty world
power, with our influence everywhere
potential. Who does not rejoice that
our Union is one and indivisible and
will remain so forever"
While the roll of the Grand Army
Is steadily shortening. the commander
in-chief urged that every effort be
made to keep the organization up to
Its fullest possible strength. He
quoted the figures showing that G. A.
R. at the beginning of the present
year had still 213.901 members in
good standing. as against 220,600 at
the beginning of 1909. The loss dur
ing the year was 6,7s1, of which 5,3z3
was by death.
Commander-in-Chief Van SAINT had
commentator for the work Of all the
auxiliaries. praising the excellent
work being done by the Woman's Re
lief corps. Ladies of the G. A. R.. Sons
of Veterans and Daughters of veter-
ans.