The National tribune., 1910-09-29
COMMNNDEE-IN-C CHIEF VAN SAINT

l.
R-IN-CHIEF VAN SAINT
Report on the Address of the Com
| manlcr-in-Chief to the 44th National
Encan,pmcnt.
First of all. the committee congratu-
lates the Encampment and all the great
| ComradeShip for which it speaks that
the Commandcr-in-Ch tho man of
large affairs. demanding his personal
attention both on his own behalf and
on behalf of others with whom he IS
associated, yet in largest measure
turned his back on personal and huSi-
ness matters. and with hearty good will
has devoted the year of his inculnbency
| to the interests and well-being of cur
| Order.
The one matter in which there was
seeming failure tthe railroad rates. was
in no measure chargCable to failure on
his part to do all that was possible to
he done to remedy the situation. The
railroad companies seem to have been
struck with a blindness. unwiSdom, in
justice and uncharita blenesS which
braved the settled dislike (not
always jusO which the community ut
large has come to feel towards them.
The remedies for the future which the
address suggests are well worthy the
serious consideration of the Encamp-
ment.
The satisfactory showing which the
address makes of the state of all our
funds is Il matter of rejoicing. The ex-
perience narrated in connection with
the Henry Berger Fund is warning that
our National body should be incorpo-
rated. and that the tentative steps TAX
en- to that end should be followed to
completion.
The references to Memorial Day, to
Flag Day. to our allied societies. the
w. r. c.. Ladies of the G. A r.. Sons
of Veterans and Daughters of Veterans,
deserve commendation.
The Blue and the Gray.
That portion of the address under the
heading of The Blue and the Gray"
calls for thoughtful and broad minded
attention We are fifty reminded that
the war for disunion was not on either
side contest of mere ''swashbucklers," :"
Of people moved with mere lust for
ancther's land. but grew out of con-
iicting views and principles which had
their beginning with the Nations birth
and which could have no deed of set
tlement save one which was signed with
blood.
The story which the address gives us
of the reception accorded to our Com
Chief by former Confeder-
ates of high and low degree in his visit
to our comrades scattered over many
States of the South is unimpeachable
testimony that that blood-signed con-
tract is faithfully kept by our surviving
foes. their children. their neIghbOrs and
friends. That there are some among
them, as with us, who don't know that
the war was over 45 years ago, we
know il to he true; but they are the
many. from whose homes would gladly
come at the call OF the united country
host for its defense, whose members
would put to shame the battalions
which faced US from 1861 to 1865.
Is it worth while TO still carp at these
our Countrymcn, to recall against them
their and our own past and especially
TO hold them in disfavor because they
cherish the names and fame of those
they called to the leadership when the
strife was on?
Our Commander in Chief is worthy of
all commendatiOn that with the banner
Of the G. A. II. he carried them the
fraternal greetings Of their Old-time
foes TO receive in turn the hearty God
bless you" and yours of the representa-
tives of 100000 of people, who, tho
estranged on yesterday, are to-day our
fellow-citiZcnS
Pensions.
On the subject of pensions the ad-
dress in brief, but in ample measure
tells the story Of the situation. The
one thing which the last National En-
Campment commended was that effort
be made to amend existing law, as was
urged by our Auxiliary, the w. r. c.,
so as to remove the time limit on the
date of marriage.
This was faithfully attempted. but
not accomplished However, a proper
bill was framed and introduced. and we
believe will be passed into law at the
next session OF Congress. Until the
close oE the last session the country STw
state OF the National Treasury which
was deplorable. Congress is not to be
blamed. but commended. that under
such state of things it refused to add
other burdens to the then staggering
giant. Things are better now, and we
may look for better results at the next
session.
The Commander-ni-Chief concludes
his message on the pension question in
these golden words:
No measure should receive our sane
ton without our most careful and de-
liberate consideration, always having in
view the Governments condition and
necessities as well as our own. we are
citizens as well as one-time soldiers and
now pensioners"
The subject of membership. its small
gain and large losses during the year
from December. 1908, to December.
1903, summons us all to make obeis-
ance to the destroyer, but in the mean
time to make renewed efforts to fill the
depleted ranks with those who should
be of us.
We heartily commend the recon-
mendaticn of the Commander-in-C Chief
that n committee be appointed to pre-
pare suitable memorial cOmmemora-
tive OF our deceased Past Commander
in-Chief, Comrade Goblin
We join with the Chief
in felicitating him and our whole order
on the companionship and excellent SER
vice rendered by his official family, and
we recommend that proper steps be
taken to prepare and present TO him a
testimonial that shall suitably evidence
our appreciation of his faithful ard self
denying services and our affectionate
regard for his person.
Respectfully submitted in F., C. and
LIS. S. Burdett, John c. Black, III. M.
Nevius, James Tanner.