The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-10-02
PRESIDENT WELCOMES VETS.
TELLS pr IDEALS FOR WHICH
NATION STANDS.
Commandcr-in-Chicf of Veterans Tells
Wilson, ni,at They arc Standing I'm
Solid Body Behind Him.

for annual encampment of the Grand
Army of the Republic were formally
welcomed to- the capital tonight by
President Wilson who told them their
battles 90 years ago were fought that
the greatest instrumentality for the
uplift of mankind the world has ever
seen might not be impaired.
The president spoke amid scenes
of patriotic fevor in the crowded
convention hall into which the old
census building had been converted.
Col. David j. Palmer. commander-in-
chief OF the q. A. r., introduced him
and Informed him that the veterans
stood solidly behind the administra-
TONS conduct of present day foreign
problems and that their sons would
support him in any steps he might
take.
The president was interrupted fire.
quently by applause.
He did not touch directly on the
European war or on problems grow
ing out OF II, but devoted his ad-
dress TO the mission OF the United
states and the lessons taught by the
War Between the Sections. He spoke
of that war as one of the few in his
tory I'm which both sides could he
proud. It..
The meeting marked the formal
opening of the Grand Army encamp-
ment, which viii continue during the
remainder OF the week with the great
parade and presidential review tomor-
row.
The presidents address in part fol-
lows:
1T Is a singular thing that men
OF single generation should have
witnessed what you have witnessed i'm
the crowded 90 years which you cele-
brate tonight. You took part when
you were young men In n struggle,
the meaning OF which dare say you
thought would not be revealed dur
Ing your lifetime. and yet more has
happened i'm the making of this ma
ton i'm your lifetime than has ever
happened I'm the making of another
nation the lifetime OF a dozen gem
erations. ''
''rhc nation IN which You now live
Is not tho nation for whose union you
fought You have seen many things
which have made this nation one OF
the representative nations OF the
~orid with regard TO the modern
spirit OF that world and you have
the satisfaction which 1 dare say few
soldiers have ever had OF looking back
upon a war absolutely unique In this.
that instead of destroying 1t healcd.
that instead OF making permanent
division II made permanent Union
This nation was from the beginning
spiritual enterprise. and you have
seen the spirits of the two once di-
Vided sections OF this country abso-
lutely united. A war which seemed
as IL II had the seed of every kind
of bitterness In II has seen n single
generation put bitterness absolutely
out OF Its heart. and you feel as
am sure the men who fought against
you feel. that you were comrades even
then. though you did not know Il.
and that now you know that you are
comrades I'm common love for a
country which you are equally eager
to serve.
This is a miracle OF the spirit
10 far as national history is concern
ed. This Is one OF the very few
wars In which In one sense every
body engaged may take pride. Some
wars are to he regretted; some wars
mar the annals of history: but some
wars contrasted with those make
those annals distinguished. show that
the spirit of man sometimes springs
To great enterprises that are even
greater than his own mind had con-
ceived.
You set the nation free for that
greater career of development. of un-
hampered development, which the
world. has witnessed since the Civil
war. But for my own part would
not be proud of the extraordinary
PHYSICAL development of this coun-
try. of Its extraordinary development
In material wealth and financial pow
or. did 1 not believe that the people
OF the United States wished all of
this power devoted To ideal ends
There have been other nations as rich
"a we; there have been other ma
tions as powerful: there have bccn
other nations AZ spirited; but 1 hope