The Washington times., 1915-09-30
GRAND. ARMY CHIEF
PLEADS FOR LARGER
U.S.ARMYA ANDNAVY
Says Country Must Maintain
National Force II It Would
Remain Independent. .
PAYS TRIBUTE TO COMRADES
Acknowledges Help Of woman's
Relief Corps and Daughters
Of Veterans.

OF veterans.
Chief David J. Palmer
read his farewell address to the drano
Army Of the Republic when the Sot-
erans' delegates assembled IN camp
Emery today. Before the close OF tne
business sessions Commander fa'"er
will have handed over the scepter Vi
power to his successor and have taken
his place in the ranks with his COM
rades.''
the progress made by the organization
during tho past year. and recounted .ne
principal happenings Of genera, intSess
to the veterans. He paid hisn unpu.e s
to the survivors. and closed rinv WIN been
chosen to command the legions IN pIue
on the fiftieth anniversary OF the ciose
Of the war. He also made q strong p'ea
for greater national military foress.
Commander Palmer's address follows:
TT is q great honor as well as privi-
lege to be permitted to welcome this
body Of men to their deliberations upon
this anniversary wear OF great ISemo
rics. Fifty years have elapsea since
their arms after four Years Of war. and
returned to the peaceful pursuits or
everyday life. I congratulate you. my
comrades. that % manv OF you nave
been spared to participate In atns,.f,,i tns re-
progress 40 the result Of your sacrifice
and devotion to duty and country:
Throughout our vast illimitable land all
men are equal before the law. Rights
Of person. property. and reputation are
as secure as the laws enacted bv our
selves for ourselves can mako them.
There Is absolute freedom for every
honest man. word or thought. Schools
are wide open. The God we choose. we
that we should kee0 before our minds
the story OF the past. that In this golden
age Of our republic We should recur TO
Its heroic axe. that this should continue
main . Land Of promise.
10 Sacred History.
"Historv written In the blood Of pa
triots IL sacred. 1t stands next to the
writings OF the living God. It cannot
be ignored. and It ought not to be for
gotten. Today we pay homage to the
defenders Of American liberty. and we
PRINCIPLES Of individual freedom that
our fathers declared at 40 great hazard
and you and your comrades maintained
at SO great cost. Today tho events Of
nifty and more years ago arise clearly
=
! great panorama.
You. my comrades, had bitter
schooling in the realities Of war; had
learned that II meant for your youns
manhood exile from home. fatigue. cold.
huneer. disease. wounds and possible
defeat and failure and an unmarked
| grave. For womanhood It meant days
! OF suspense and lonely nights Of fear.
widowhood and bereavement Of her
''f,rst born" II was = time Of doubts
] 0ytAf--h,1t M nj n nf anfrtfa
In no nush Of excitement. through no
wild impulse did you gather yourselves
toeether. There were no idlers or ad-
venturers but fair representatives Of the
fxed purpose and strength Of the loyal
1.-The young force and flower OF tn,
Northern States. laid aside their homes
work, every one left n home, aye! every
Rs rS " aoa ss
oath before his God and comrades I,
do service for his country's nag. Yo,
comrades set the standard of servic'
was never lowered ''by those whom
grateful people delight to honor" An,
that Is not all. When peace was de
You returned to your homes as brav'
as you were when leaving. In the fac
of many misgivings expressed by tn
press OF the country. and many people
follow the return Of 1000 900 Of you boy
to your homes. The man behind the gul
was as loyal at home as he was on tn
firing line" You were volunteer sol
went out into the undeveloped territor.
Of our country and made new communi
ties, new homes and loyal citizens tina
rank with any community or citizenship
In the civilized world. You never tool
your eyes or the Flag.
Pleads For Forces.
And now when war clouds are ris
ing In the East, what should be tn
attitude of the Grand Army Of the Re
the strong bulwark Of our nation 70
the last half century? You, my com
rades, have furnished the heads of tn
departments of Government. From you
ranks come five Presidents Of the Unite
States, and many department officer,
governors Of States. and. In fact. ever
} elective position down to the township
It is our belief that the Grand brand Arm
dent Wilson for the peace Of humanit
without the surrender Of America
rights on land or sea-" II We main
, tain an independent existence as
nation, we must maintain q nations
force.
"Thoughtfulness of the comforts o
the comrades and ever mindful o
i. their needs. the Woman's Relic
SOTpS, our auxiliary, is eNSi WatCHtu'
: ever loyal to the interests OF tn
Grand Army Of the Republic. ever ol
the alert to promote patriotism. 10y
atty and love OF the flag among tn
, youth OF our country, under the guid
, ance and diplomatic leadership Of tn
talented national president. Mrs. sara
, e. Fulton. Rochester. N. Y. TIL
, year has been no exception as
growth and progress of the organiza
| ton. We shall ever cherish their ten
der care and affection Tor our de
pendent comrades and their familiei
There surely never was nauona
3 president who stood more Loyalty 10
the best interests of our comrades an
Z country than Mrs. Fulton. Let me as
e sure the president and the members o
!, her patriotic auxiliary that we great
i appreciate them and their spiendi
work. We bid them God-speed
The ladies of the Grand army g
q the Republic are Jealous laborers 70
= our comfort. They are our kiniolf
q and the members Of the Grand ArH
a Of the Republic greatly appreciat
what they do.
An Energetic Leader.
"By the energetic leadership OF MI
Mary A. Jameson. of Michigan the'
national president, the ORGANIZATION ne
prospered and we are under great o,
liga tions for the many KIND Woro
spoken by her and good deeGs uohI
behalf Of the comrades. Iner 10Y