Norwich bulletin., 1911-01-21

Department Commander Edson s. Bishop of Hartford, who is q member of Sedgwick post, No. l, c. A. R., was the special guest on Friday evening at Memorial. accompanied by three mem bers of his stan. Junior Vice Com mander J. Fayette Douglass, post 67, Forestville. Assistant Quartermaster General c. w. Emerson. post 50, Hart ford. and Department Patriotic In structor c. A. Potter, post 27, Daniel son. It was the first campfire of the year and made an suspicious opening for this social side of the posts activi- ties. The Woman's Relief corps, Citi- zens corps and the members of the Sons of Veterans were guests during the evening.
 The programme began with a nice baked bean supper served under the direction of Quartermaster Charles F. Geer and Quartermaster Sergeant s. s. Stocking. assisted by other members of the post and members of the Sons of Veterans. At the head table were seated the department commander and the visiting members of his staff, with Commander Henry Hovey of Sedgwick post. Chaplain Solon A. Moxley, Gen. William A. Aiken of the post and Ar thur H. Brewer of the Citizens corps. Bullards orchestra played through the supper hour and also later through the
 
 post members and their guests we're present. Chaplain Moxlay said grace at the beginning of the supper.
 Department Commander Bishop.
 Commander Hovey opened the post prandial exercises with brief speech in which he introduced Department Commander Bishop. telling the veter- ans and their friends that the spirit of fraternity. loyalty and charity was car- ried out and fostered by such gather ings as this, and the post felt honored to have the department officers present at its campfire.
 The department commander pleas antly reminded his comrades that this seemed to him more of a home coming than a special visitation, bringing back to mind many hours spent in work un- der the roof where they were gathered. From the time of the old active cam paign days in the field up to the pres ent the G. A. R. men have been labor ing for the welfare of the country which they fought to save, but the du- ties are not yet ended for in common with all patriotic citizens they are all ways to be fighting for those patriotic principles which shall sustain this best government on the face of the earth.
 He congratulated the ladies of the Relief corps for the splendid work they have done and are doing, always work ing ~and planning with noble purpose and endeavor, and he wished them Godspeed in their work.
 To the Sons of Veterans Command CT Bishon told how much the c. A. R. needed their help and how great things were expected of patrotic sons of noble sires. and he also addressed a word to the men of the Citizens corps, extend ing warm greeting and a testimony Of appreciation of their work. He said he had had the honor to be the mover of a resolution at Atlantic City which placed the Citizens corps in the same relation to the Grand Army as the Woman's Relief corps is He closed by expressing the determination of the department and national officers to de- serve always the confidence and sup port of the membership. The depart ment commanders remarks were warmly applauded.
 Junior Vice Commander.
 Commander Icvey then introduced Junior Vice Commander J. F. Douglass, who spoke of the pleasure which it all ways was to meet with the comrades, whether close personal acquaintances or not. for all touched elbows in the same intense conviction and purpose of fifty years ago, the salvation of the nation. He reviewed the astounding increase and growth of our country, which had been kept undivided by the comrades of the G. A. R., living and dead. They kept the breath of life in this republic and the country has not forgotten them. This country and the world owes a debt of gratitude to Abraham Lincoln and his soldier boys so large that it can never be measured nor ever paid in money value. The