The Evening standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1910-1913, 1910-09-22
ADDRESS OF
COMMANDER
Van SAINT Gratified Over
the Fraternizlng of
Blue and Gray

Atlantic City, n J.. Sept 20. Com
prebensively reviewing The work of
the Grand Army of tho Republic In
the nation for the past year during
which he has acted as its head. Com
mnnder-in- Chief Samuel r. Van SAINT
today addressed the delegates TO the
forty-fourth national encamPment as
well with an eye 10 tho future good
that the great organization might &C.
complish as upon the notable achieve
mcnts OF It's past
While the roll of the Grand Army
Is steadily shortening the commander
In-chiel urged that every effort be
made to keep the Organization up TO
It's fullest possible strength. He quot-
ed the figures showing that the G. a,
r. at the beginning OF the present
year had still 213.90l members in
good standing. as against 220,600 at
the beginning Of 1909. The loss dur
ing the year was 67Sl, Of which 5,323
was by death. The commander urged
tha. recruiting measures be taken
among the large number of former
Union soldiers who are not enrolled
as Grand Army members
The speaker noted better general
observance of Memorial day than for
merly Let us insist and do all in
our power, he said. that Memorial
day shall be devoted solely and only
to the purpose for which 1t was Great
ed. Let 1T be the one day oi the year
devoted to honoring our 'deathless
dead for in that way We Will teach
the rising generation rove of country
without which our nation cannot long
survive" He also urged the general
cooperation OF G. A r, members In
inducing a general observance of Flag
day.
CommandeT-in.C Chief Van SAINT had
commentator for the work Of all The
C. a r. auXillnrics, praising the eX-
cellent work being done by the Wom-
ems Relief Corps Ladies' of the G. A.
r, Sons Of Veterans and Daughters
of Veterans. OF the Sons OF Veterans
he said
This can be made q still grander
organization. II is constantly increas-
ing In numbers and influence The
Sons of Veterans with proper en-
?
est patriotic body OF men In the
world. The Sons Of Veterans should
have all the encouragement possible
from the Grand Army Of the Republic.
1t is q matter of great satisfaction
that the Sons NEE. with us this year.
trust our national encampmeDts may
in the future be held at the same time
and in the same place"
OF the more liberal pension leg1sla-
ton recommended by the lasi annual
encampment and urged at Washing
ton BY its committee, COMMANDMENTS
Chief Van SAINT said
II regret that nothing was accomp-
lished, but 1t was no fault OF the com
mittee Congress would not pass any
general pension legislation. However.
some six thousand private pensions
bills were enacted The committee
canvassed the matter ipdustriously
with senators and representatives
but to no purpose. The government
was facing a deficiency in Its reye'
nues and retrenchment and the strict
est economy was tho watchword. Tins
was the reason given for non-actton
In my judgment, In view OF the
changed conditions in our country g
financial affairs, II this encampnent
should again recommend this meas
ure. it would likely pass
THE Grand Army OF the Republic
has ever stood for the recognition OF
the services of its members. regard
less OF length OF servIce-the ninety
days man as well MS the veteran who
/ served throughout the war If the
Il In, ~ 10
! he stood in the line of duty, and
should have Just consideration.
The commander-in-cnief expressed
himself as particularly gratined Al
The increasing fratcrnization OF tho
BLUE and the Gray He voiced his
pleasure at the cordial reception
given him during his recent oG1cia
visit to the southern departments, no
only from the former Union soldiers
but from eX-confederates.
"In all cities. when possible h'
said, II urged joint meetings OF th(
Blue and the Gray We had many
gatherings of this character, and NJ
moro loyal and patriotic sentiment!
wore ever uttered than by the mel
who fought on the other side,
Are you not pleased 10 learn tha
our comrades are living in peace ant
harmony with our late enemies? Tbi
is as IL should be. Both armies wer,
composed OF brave men and the!
should and do mutually respect eacl
other We of the north can testif,
that no bravcr troops were ever mar
shalled for conflict than our late enc
mieS-and we now realize tina. n,
men ever made greater sacrifices 70