Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-09-30
THINKS c. A, R. WILL
BACK PRESIDENT
Commander Palmer Declares
National Force Is Neces-
sary to Existence.
DELIVERS ADDRESS
BEFORE VETERANS
Urges Pensions for Civil War
Nurses and Makes Appeal for
800. Soldiers Widows.

David ]. Palmer, chief
of the Grand Army of the Republic, de-
liyered an address before the meeting
of the organization today, in which he
recommended that increased efforts be
widows of veterans, and in which he
declared that the limitation of June.
1890. relative to the soldiers widow,
preventing her from being pensioned,
should be stricken from the laws. He
declared that the Spanish-American
War Veterans deserve the support of
the G. A. R.. and that every member
Of the G. A. r. should be helper to
recruit the Sons of Veterans and make
them stronger in their organization
Commander Palmer's address was, IN
part. as follows:
1T is a great honor as well as privi-
1ege to be permitted to welcome this
body of men to their deliberations upon
this anniversary year of great memo
ries. Fifty years have elapsed since
two great opposing forces laid down
their arms after four years OF war,
and returned to the peaceful persuits
my comrades. that 80 many of you have
been spared to participate in this re-
union after fifty years of successful
progress as the result of your sacI +
hce and devotion to duty and country.
Throughout our vast illimitable land,
all men are equal before the law.
Rights of person. property and reputa-
ton are as secure as the lave enacted
by ourselves for ourselves can MAKE
them. There is absolute freedom Tor
every honest man, word or thought.
Schools are wide open. The God we
choose. we serve. 1t is then useful and
needful that we should keep before our
minds the story of the past, that in this
recur to its heroic age. that this should
continue to be land of memory, that
1t may remain land Of pI omise.
Renew Allegiance.
History written in the blood of pa
triots Is sacred. 1t stands next to the
writings of the living God 1t cannot
be ignored and it ought not to lie for
gotten. Today we pay homage to the
defenders of American liberty, and we
thus renew our allegiance to those
principles of individual freedom that
our fathers declared at so great hazard
and you and your comrades maintained
at so great cost. Today the events of
nfty and more years ago arise clearly
In memory and pass before is as a
great panorama.
And now when war clouds are rising
IN the east. what should be the atti-
tude OF the Grand Army Of the Re-
public, the organization that has been
the strong bulwark of our nation for
the last half century? You. nv com
rades. have furnished the heads of the
departments of government. From your
ranks come five Presidents of the
United States, and many department
officers. governors of states. and, in
fact, every elective position down to
the township. 1t Is our belief that the
Grand Army of the Republic will stand
of humanity without the surrender of
American rights on land or sea- If
we maintain an independent existence
as a nation, we must maintain a ma
tiOnal force.
Reunion of Blue and Gray.
THE Communicated was invited
to a reunion of the Blue and Gray on
the fftieth anniversary of the battle
Of Franklin, Tenn, November 80, 1914
A great concourse of people gathered
at Franklin, the battle-ground of fifty
years ago. 1t was estimated that 500
Confederates and $50 Union veterans
were there.
TT was certainly a fraternaI and
peace meeting. The commander in
chief of the United Confederate Vet
and loyal speech, winding up with
one country and one flag The
Misunderstanding was cordial. The Con-
federate would shake hands and say
We were not with you fifty years ago
but we are with you now Gen. Sher
wood. our own esteemed comrade ant
congressman from Ohio. was orator
OF the day for the north. and Col
Woods of Mississippi represented the
south. 1t was a happy and profitable
reunion.
Our comrades have been very favor.
ably cared for in the way of pensions
| but we should not rest until our army
nurses and widows are properly pen
stoned. The limitation of June, 1890
relative to the soldiers widow. shoult
| be stricken from the law.
THE Spanish american War Veteran.
! is a new patriotic organization that ha:
| been holding it's state meetings in som'
states at the same time state G. A. X
departments were held.
This organization deserves our sup
port and encouragement. Its slogan i,
patriotism and love of freedom ant
fair dealing. -e- -.s4---.ts $3.50
I'VE can never forget their splendid
-