Evening journal., 1911-05-04

the many ranks with broken ranks,
lost limbs and shattered fag. You
returned to receive the plaudits Of
the whole Nation.
AS I now address You in the clos
ing hours Of my term in office, and
look back on the past year. there are
thoughts of both pleasure and sorrow
Pleasure when ! recall the happy
hours spent with my comrades, en-
joying the fraternal spirit which /
have found prevailing in our ranks
Sorrow. when I recall those who have
answered the last roll call. tina. Of
their Master and joined the great
army who died in defending ,heir
country Daily the taps upon the
mufficd drum can be heard. reminding
us that some comrade has answered
the heavenly roll call and gone 10
his last resting place from whence no
traveller returns
To-day before surrendering my au-
thority as your commander. ! ask you
TO accept my thanks for the honor you
conferred upon me. With due APP
probation of the dignity Of the office,
7 entered upon its duties with fear,
lest l should not be able TO measure
up to your high expectations.
with no other thought than that
of the welfare of the department the
work of the office has been performed.
And / assure you the very cordial
greetings and marked distinctions
that have been extended to me by
comrades and department officers
have filled the year with pleasant
memories. and thank each OF You
for your kind assistance I'm the dis
charge of my duties. especially do ]
feel grateful to Assistant Adiutant-
General J. s. Litzenberg for his un-
firing and. faithful assistance.
yisitatiOns.
Il have visited ten posts out of
the nineteen that we now have, and I
found them as active as We could OK
pect, realize that the visits Of de-
partment officers to the different post
meetings create more interest and
are stimulant for greater work.
Memorial Day.
"This day, dedicated TO the sacred
memory OF our departed comrades
throughout the land is. each year be-
coming more truly and generally OBJ
served. We believe It to be the duty
of every comrade to discourage the
tendency to change this into day Of
festivity and sport. May our thoughts
on that day dwell on the young and
beautiful lives OF those who died that
the country might live.
Patriotic Instruction.
Comrades this is the most import
ant work that the Grand Army has to
81, and I am impelled to call particu-
lar attention to the Importance Of so
liciting the most proficient comrade
in the several posts The Importance
of patriotic instruction in our public
school Is being realized as never be-.
fore. The time has arrived when the
chief function OF our public schoo
system is TO train tho children into B.;
proner idea Of what patriotism meant
IN relation 10 the public Offices of th'
city. county and State. honesty ant
integrity in public affairs as we'll as
private should be the motto.
The National Encampment.
'I was permitted TO attend the
Forty-fourth National Encampment.
which was held i'm Atlantic City. on
September. 10 to the a. 1910, and
without fear of contradiction ! would
pronounce Il to be all that could
he desired. and would here
commend tho officers and comrades,
who participated i'm that parade
FOR the sobriety and good ap-
pcarance which not only made Il
characteristic. but made II living
credit 70 the Grand Army of the Re.
public; and to the ladies / want &c
extend my thanks for contribut
ing in no small way towards makinl
II a success: and 10 the citizens o
Atlantic City we owe our thanks 70
their hospitable reception tendere'
us. I also feel grateful 10 the man
agement Of the Hotel Edison for IN
attention they gave to use Will
there.
The WOman's Relief Corps.
Il look upon tho Woman's Relic
Corps as being one Of the most I'm
portant adiuncts to this organization
and should have the strong en-
couragement OF every officer and con
rade. and would recommend that e
lOlIh 10 put lOIln TO organize one
this State. The ladies Of the G.
r., The Daughters of Veterans. mus
be recognized as a great lever an
help to our departments, and II III
three could be organized and the
consolidated into one distinct bod
their strength as one united bod
would be more proficient and coul
accomplish their work with great,
success. These are important factoi
and should be encouraged by our o
ganization.
"The Sons of Veterans is anothl
great link in our departments and Il
interest they manifest / have no dou
appeals to each and every conrad
Legislation.
The appropriation bill which W
before our last Legislature for an a
preparation for the Gen. T. II. Smy
monument did not pass. used n
every effort IN its behalf
Il would recommend that the val
Gus Posts throughout the State 81
thought to the idea. that in place
Gen T. H. Smyth monument '
erect a building suitable for a hor
for all veterans of the past al
future wars.