The Topeka state journal., 1911-09-26
Veterans I'm Blue Again Hear the
Old Story.
Thrilled by the Sounds Half
Century Old.
AT THE CAMP FIRES.
Opening Meetings Are Held at
Camp Topeka.
Department Commander Re-
spends to Address Of Welcome.

Hundreds of old soldiers and sailors
answered to bugle call today at Camp
Topeka, and they hail from all parts
of Kansas and there are some here
from other states. The familiar airs
played by the drum corps of Lincoln
Post and the speeches made by COM
raGes stirred the veterans and they
took keen delight in meeting once
again their friends among the "boys
in blue"
The address of welcome by Capt
Joseph G. Waters was masterful and it
transported the aged fighters for the
preservation of their country back to
the time that they fought side by side
in the terrible struggle.
The camp fire was opened by Com
rade H B. Miller of Usage City, pre-
siding officer, at shortly after 10
o'clock. Prior to this a parade had
formed in front of the headquarters
tents, headed by the Lincoln Post
drum corps, and to the time of a lively
air the aged men marched to the as
sembly hall-the arts and mercantile
building-which had been elaborately
decorated with bunting and flags.
To the inspiring address of welcome
Department Commander T. P. Ander-
son responded. He said:
"Comrade Waters:
In behalf of the soldier and sailor
veterans assembled here and as the
representative of the members of the
G. A. r of Kansas, 1 thank you and
the loving, generous and patriotic peo-
pie for whom YOU have spoken in such
loving and complimentary terms, and
in such eloquent and endearing Ian
guage-thanks greater than words can
express. 1 am not ignorant of the
fact. neither are my comrades ignorant
of the fact, that they rendered great
service to cur beloved country in its
time of need, and that with suffering
and privations greater than words can
express a government of the people.
by the people and for the people. was
saved, so that our pOSterlty might en-
Joy the blessings of liberty and free
dom. Believing that in your address
just delivered you express the true
sentiment of the people you represent
and for whom you have spoken, we
feel greatly repaid for all the suffer
ing and sacrifices we made in that long
and trying struggle, and we rejoice
with you and the people for whom you
have spoken as a part of them for
the blessings we all enjoy as a result
of such sufferings and sacrifices.
Il again thank you for this whole
souled, generous and hearty welcome"
The next thing on the progranl--1ot
on the printed prOgram-was the sing
ing of Marching Through Georgia.
By the time they had reached the sec
ond verse the comrades were so filled
with enthusiasm they rose to their
feet and many of the old soldiers in
the room appointed themselves as song
leaders, and with umbrellas and hand
kerchiefs waving to the time of the
music it was an interesting scene.
Voice from Missouri.
4 Comrade J. P. Platt, past depart
ment commander of Missouri was
next introduced by the presiding ot1-
Ger.
''but I bet that not ten of you were
born in Kansas. All stand up who
were born in Kansas (Not soul
moved.) No there is not one.
ia F,1I Ii Il of -011
I was here in your state in 81 You
had a great reunion in Leavenworth.
I responded for Missouri One man
got up anC made a Republican speech;
another a Democratic speech. Then
Major Tom Anderson came out and
sang The Star Spangled Banner and
waved the Stars and Stripes The Re
publicans and Democrats began TO
embrace each other. I admire you for
your spirit in Kansas.
Il hadn't seen colored man in my
life until I came to Missouri. I was
"A years old when I came to the state
from Ohio. The folks I lived with
were called white trash
MY grandfather one day asked M
If I wanted to go to the county seat,
twelve miles away, and I replied, Why, |
yes In front of the court house was
a large platform and I wondered if
there was to be some kind of enter
tainment that day.
Il afterward found that plantation |
owner had failed and that his slaves
ten of them-were about to be sold. |
The sheriff brought up a fine looking
colOred girl. Then a man with a hard |
looking face came up and gave her a
cut with a whip and ordered her to |
pace up and down the platform four |
times. He then examined her minute
ly. and bid $500 for her The girl |
was finally sold for 5000. The father
and mother and children were sepa-
rated.
My grandfather coming home said, |
What did you think of that proceed |
ing?' I told him that from that time |
on I would be an abolitionist and I
kept my word
I'm 1909 there was a baby born, a |