The Topeka state journal., 1911-09-28

camp Sons of Veterans drum corps of
Topeka.
Ex-COngressman Hepburn's Address.
Ex-ConEressman William P. Hepburn
of Iowa, who is an eloquent speaker,
was given a rousfng reception Wednes-
day afternoon by the old soldiers.
There can be but a few more re-
unions, such as you Kansans are hold =
fnb here today he began. Each win
ter marks a lessening of the number i'll
the ranks of those who now walk with
feebled step Each summer fresh
graves are decorated with Wreaths of
evergreen and the American flag. The
vast army which for half a century
has been fighting the battles of peace,
is being mustered out and the men are
going to that home of everlasting peace
and joy.
Il am glad that God has been so
merciful to me and to you that we all
are able to see this fiftieth anniversary
of the time when we fought that this
nation might live as it lives today. The
younger generation little realizes what
sacrifices, what suffering and what
hardships the men of 81 endured that
the cause of the union might be upheld
The average age of the soldiers who
fought in the civil war was twenty-six
years. Think what those brave men
sacrificed They were just approach
ing that time of life when they should
have been preparing themselves for
life's battle. But they needed the call
of the spirit of the time and went to a
far different battle than tnat of the
walks of life.
Thousands of them never returned
to their homes Thousands more were
sent home to die of sickness. In all an
army which, if marching in a column.
would extend from Topeka to St. Louis
died in battle, in prisons and of sick
ness"
1--WE sometimes say it was a matter
of slavery that caused the war The
In
made it necessary to settle the question
of secession from the Union. The qres-
ton whether Kansas should be a free
or a slave state agitated all the peo-
PIE.
"But all grave questions are not
settled. The teachings of the home and
morals begotten of the home are the
sugstructure on which our permanency
must rest. Our homes are threatened.
Have you thought of the invasion of
the homes that divorce is making? Yet
in the capital city of Iowa during a
period of three months the petitions
for divorces exceeded the licenses to
marry by So You have not thought
what divorce is doing to undermine our
civilization. The capital of Iowa is
not noted a s a divorce center. In Iowa
are some of the best people of our
land
The speaker then took other matters
of national Importance. He emphasized
the importance of every man getting
out to the pOlIS ana NOLlHB AOT tHS
men for Office who will serve best.
Then he touched on the labor ques-
ton.
Every man is on an equality with his
brother in the eyes of the law" the
speaker declared. Il have been a poor
man all my life and for many years a
laborer. My sympathy is with the 80
millions of wage earners in this coun-
try. 1 believe they should be entitled
to certain rights. / have no objection
to organization of the laborers when
:hat Organization is for the benefit OF
all, but when that organization says
a man cannot work for a corporation
unless he carries a certain card then
enter a most vigorous protestatlon.
have no sympathy for such society
and believe it should be condemned by
every peace1oving American citizen.
Program for Tonight.
Camp Fire, Fine Arts Pavilion, 500
n. m. Comrade William P. Hackney,
Presiding Officer-
Prayer: Rev. Frank L. Loveland,
Rddress: Gen. L. H. Waters. Kansas
City. Mo.
Address: John c. Nicholson, New
ton.
Address: Comrade Bernard Kelley,
p. D. c., Emporia-
Address: Hon. W. J. Jewett, Wichita.
Music for the Camp Fire by Lincoln
Post Drum Corps and the Modocs-