The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-08-31

AN ELOQUENT TALK
Patriotic Work of Women of
the Department.
Commander Harmon of the G.
A. r. Speaks.

Osawatomie, Kan, Aug. 31.-Sarah
E. Staplin of Ellis, Kan, president of
the Women's Relief corps, department
OF Kansas in her address here last
evening at the celebration of the ami
versary of the battle of Osawatomie,
said in part
1.-The very sacredness of the ground
on which we stand now teaches us a
lesson in patriotism and duty which
cannot be estimated.
"A true poet finds his inspiration in
the surrounding works of nature; can
we not then teach our lessons in pa
trlotlsm by commemorating this
ground which was the scene of so
great an exemplification of loyalty to
duty as seen by the man who perpe-
trated the deeds of heroism and BRAY
cry and faced the disgrace and con-
tempt of his fellow beings and even
death to fulfill a mission of duty which
his own conscience taught him was
right?
This battle-ground that we have met
to dedicate to the G. A. r. is his
toric ground. The incipient conditions
that precipitated the civil war began
here; it was here that John Brown
his forces and began his crusade for
freedom. It was here on this battle
ground that the first gun was fired in
defense of liberty
Inc w. X. -, real1ZlnS IndI there
VIII come time when future genera
tons will need to be reminded of the
great sacrifices of their forefatherS
that seemed to them nation which
is an example of liberty and justice
to all mankind, conceived the idea of
purchasing this beautiful spot of
ground, so rich in its historic setting,
and presenting it to this great state
which has contributed so large q share
of the events which we wish to i'm
press on the minds of the people.
ITO raise the required amount of
money necessary to purchase this
ground required no small effort on the
part of the loyal, patriotic women of
our department and Mrs. Heacock is
especially to be commended for the
zeal and enterprise she manifested in
her endeavor to raise this money. 1t
was through her untfring efforts that
we are enabled to be here today and
see our hopes realized.
while the primary object of the
w. r. c. is and ever will be to aid
and comfort the comrades, we also
have a second sacred duty: that of
educating the rising generation. What
better work can we carry out than
that of teaching patriotism in its
broadest, largest sense? Living for
ones country, working to solve the |
intricate problems which affect its
welfare and thereby make a better |
country that our children may de- |
velop into true and more patriotic |
citizens.
This is the work of the w. re, |
and it is our duty as a patriotic or
ganization to keep fresh in the minds |
of our youths the battles fought, the |
sacrifices made and the hardships en- |
dured by the noble army of men who |
responded to the call of Abraham |
Lincoln and made the hill tops and |
valleys echo and re-echo as they rolled !
and poured forth that mighty anthem: /
" We are coming, we are coming, our |
Nation to restore;
" We are coming, Father Abraham |
three hundred thousand MORE"
Commander Harmon's Address.
Commander n. Z. Harmon of the |
G. A. r. in his address said:
1--WE are gathered in this historic |
little city for a great purpose. We are
here to set apart these grounds and |
dedicate them to perpetuate the men, |
distinguished and early pioneer heroes
of our great state.
at was the Woman's Relief Corps,
the auxiliary of the Grand Army of |
the Republic of this department, under |
the leadership of Mrs. Anna Heacock |
of Parsons, who was then department |
president, that. this beautiful spot of |
ground was purchased; and to that |
loyal women belongs the credit of this |
great and noble and enterprising move |
ment. 1t is presented by them free of |
charge to the G.. A. r. of the depart |
ment of Kansas and through 1t is pre-
scented to the governor of the state for |
dedication and to be maintained as |
public park for the state.
John Brown was not only pho |
neer of Kansas, but he was a fore |
runner of the Civil war. He saw more |
clearly than any other man in his day |
the awful curse of human slavery and |
sought in every way within his power |
to overthrow it. He believed that the |
curse of God was upon it, and that it |
was his duty to do all in his power to
stay its onward course He heard the |
shrieks and cries of the slave under |
the lash of the slave drivers whip |
and his manly and patriotic heart was |
stirred and he sought relief. His
methods may not all have been wise
but he was sincere, and honest. and |
believed that he was guided by AL |