The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-05-18
Commander Asbury Delivers
Farewell Speech to Veterans

At the business session OF the Ind
lana department, G. A. R.. held this
morning at the coliseum, State Com
mander Asbury delivered the follow
ing address to the veterans:
Comrades: are entitled to a
Comrades greeting at this, the Thirty
second Annual Encampment of the De-
partment of Indiana, Grand Army of
the Republic This bring to you this
day, in a city noted for its churches,
its colleges. it's public schools, its
noted men and its Industries, the pro-
ducts of which enter every port in the
civilized world. The churches of this
goodly city have been instrumental not
only in freeing the souls of men, but
their bodies as well. refer to the 10y
atty of the great Quaker church and
its attitude toward slavery. States
men. scholars, soldier and citizens
all have contributed alike to make this
one of the noted cities of our beloved
state. Indiana. than which there Is
none better.
What mean these decorations? What
mean these flags? This pulsating
throng Of people which our eyes be-
hold everywhere we look? Comrades.
the answer comes, This is Rich
mond's welcome to the greatest body
of men who meet in any country or
any city" Richmond trying to Guido
Terre Haute-Terre .Haute that one
year ago made our hearts glad by her
exhibitions Of confidence and esteem.
displayed on every street and from ev.
cry home. Comrades. allow me now to
thank you for the great honor confer.
red upon me by you in the city OF
Terre Haute one year ago-an honor
which I shall soon surrender to one
who, no doubt will be better able to
serve you. But beg to say, he cannot
be more loyal than your unworthy Com
mander has tried to be to your inter
ests. have done my best, lack of abil
ity only preventing me from doine
more. When this badge Of office was
pinned on the lapel of my coat last
May by my esteemed friend. Comrade
Somers, l then hoped that most al
who had a right to belong to the
Grand Army could be mustered in, and
all who were then members retained
except as the hand of Time discharged
them from all the duties Of life Blu
instead of gain we suffer loss. Some
have crossed the river and are now be
yond our borders. Some have become
discouraged and have turned back
while many are in the fight to thu
end And 1t is my wish that we wag,
this war until every homes end desir
ed may be attained. even to a dollar
a day pension for every worthy Com
rade who offered his life, his all, upoI
the altar of his country.
The attendance of the delegates o
the Department Of Indiana at the Ma
tional encampment held at Atlantic
City. September 20-2s. was. consider
ing distance and our ages. very, graf
flying indeed. One thing only i nov
regret. and that 10 that 80 many o
our Comrades left before the most i'm
portant matters. 40 now see them
came before this body for disposal
viz. the resolution of the Department
of Indiana as to pensions and the rel
olution of Comrade w. A. Ketcham Il
regard 10 the statue of Robert E. Lee
now in the Hall Of Fame at the M
tional Capitol. both Of which were ms
terially affected by our absence, an
wish to express my regrets that on
Comrades did not remain on the firm
line. Comrades. let me say to you tn
department of Indiana has been tru
to you on both of these vital que
tions; and 1t Is nof the wish of you
retiring commander that both of thes
questions should be presented at tn
next National encampment to be hel
in Rochester, New York. in August {
this year, 30 that the members of til
National encampment may see the jul
tice Of both resolutions and endors
both. To facilitate this end, elect n
Comrade as q delegate, who Is M
here, or represented by some Conrad
who knows his wish. Elect no Con