The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-09-22
BRIDGES The GULF
G. A. r. Puts Forth the Hand of
Fellowship.
Commander Van SAINT Praises
Wearers of the Gray.
TRIBUTETO THE SOUTH
Bravely They Fought and Brave.
ly Accepted Defeat.
Los Angeles Probable Location
of Next Meeting.

Atlantic City. Sept. 22.-With a fine
tribute to the soldiers of the Confed-
eracy, Commander in Chief Samuel r.
Van SAINT of Minnesota today formally
opened the business session of the ma
tional encampment of the Grand Army
of the Republic on the steel pier in
this city. The commander spoke earn
estly as he expressed his qualification
at the increasing determination of the
Blue and the Gray"
When he said that no braver 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 in chief expressed
| himself as particularly gratihed at the
| increasing determination of the blue
and the Gray" He voiced his pleas
during his recent official visit to the
southern departments. not only from
the former Union soldiers. but from
ex-Confederates
Urges Joint Meetings.
'In all cities, when possible" he
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
Are you not pleased to learn that
our comrades are living in peace and
harmony without late enemies? This
| is as it should be. Both armies were
composed of brave men and they
| should and do mutually respect each
other. We of the north can testify that
no braver troops were ever marshal
ed for conflict than our late enemies
I-and we now realize that no men
ever made greater sacrifices for what
they believed to be right than our
| former foes.
Afford to Be Magnanimous.
| 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 van
quished absolves himself from all bit
| terness he has truly gained the most
| cherished trait of a noble character
! We won-they lost. We returned to our
homes with the shouts of victory ring
| ing in our ears-our cause triumph
ant. They were defeated, their cause
| lost and they returned to homes de-
| stroyed. barns empty, money worth
| less, slaves free and ruin all about
them. Any but brave people would
| have Welded to these adverse cond1-
| tions-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
1.-THE south since the close of the war is
| the south's grandest and most en-
| during monument. United as we are
now, our country is destined to make
| a new era of progress. We have by
| our united efforts advanced to the
highest pinnacle of fame, and became
| a mighty world power with our in
huence everywhere potential. Who
| does not rejoice that our union is one
forever"
The Pension Question.
The veterans did not show any ill
effects of yesterdays long march and
were about bright and early. Those
not called into the business session of
the encampment planned to spend the
day in enjoying the many attractions
of the city. Beautiful weather again
favored the veterans. Many matters
affecting the welfare of the Grand
Army veterans will come before the
| encampment.
The ever-present question of pen
sions will come up, the veterans ask
ing that the lowest pensions granted
be considerably increased.
From latest information at hand
there are about $4,000 names on the
pension rolls.
there are $1,000 Union men who are
not drawing pensions, making the to-
tai number of survivors of the Union
forces in the country $4,000.
When the representatives of the vet
Grams went into executive session there
appeared to be no doubt that General
Gilman of Boston would be elected
commander in chief His opponent is
John McEIroy of Washington, D. c.
Los Angeles, Cal, seems to be lead
ing as the place for holding the en-
campment in 1911.
The matter of Incorporating the
Grand Army of the Republic will
probably come before the encamp-
ment The commander recommends in
his report that the national organiza-
tion be incorporated under federal
laws.
The department of Kentucky wants
the national hymn. America to in
cIude the name of Lincoln. 1t has
proposed an amendment to the rules
and regulations of the organization
that the following lines be used in pa
triotic and memorial exercises in sing
ing America:
Reunited land.
meath Lincoln's guiding hand.
"Our love we give,
Land, tyranny defie1.
Land, war can ne'er divide.
Land. soldiers glorified,
''For thee we live"
The Women's Relief corps. Ladies of
; the Grand Army of the Republic,
and Sons of Veterans hold business
meetings today
Carlisle Wins at Football Easily.
, Carlisle, Pa, Sept. 22.-In the first
game of the season under tho new
rules, the Carlisle Indian school foot-
ball team defeated the Lebanon Valley
college team by the score of 53 to O.
Weather Indications.