The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-08-31
GRAND ARMY|S
Fifty YEARS OLD
Commander in Chief Mon
fort Opened Grand En-
campment Today.

the soldiers OF the Civil war, for their
>turn TO the pursuits OF peace at the
AfIict,s end instead OF establishing
military power was sounded by Capt.
g. r. Monfort, commanderin.chief O.
the GA. Ri at its annual encampment
hero today.
May Wise counsels prevail, and
may fraternity, charity and loyalty
control our deliberations In every de.
tail Of our work." said Capt. Monfort.
Fifty years have come and gone
since our association a founded,
and we have gathered in this beautiful
city TO hold our golden anniversary.
Fhe record OF q half century since the
Civil war has no parallel in the worlds
history. The progress and develop
'ment IN education, In science, In art,
in literature, In inventions and In In
idustrial and commercial activities
have been marvellous. Our population
has Increased more than threefold, un.
III we are the richest and take rank
among the foremost nations Of the
world.
Our national domain has been rich.
'iy fortified with the blood of freemen.
You. my comrades, have contributed
more to this end than any other class,
because OF your labors and sacrifices
I've have d unified nation. In this ser.
'yice YOU confirmed the guarantees OF
our Constitution. You broke the
'ahackles on the limbs of five millions
.Qf bQndsmen. You taught other ma
bnsi that In this country all men are
brn free. and equal before the law,
lpptitled to labor and receive the re.
ward Of their labor.
you did not seek 10 establish a
militnay power, for when the bugle
notes of Ts.ory were sounded you
furned from Ndr to peace. The world
maryeled at this sudden transforms.
tion. The people Of other lands did
not understand the educational pro.
cesses that had developed the vigor
and m%anliness of American character
shat could make a man a soldier In
time Of war and a quiet citizen In time
OF peace.
Let US rejoice that you, my com.
srndes, were able to subdue the pas.
iBions engendered by war, return to the
pursuits o fpeace and begin at once 70
build on the foundations you had SO
we'll laid. congratulate you that SO
many are yet living to see and enjoy
the unparalleled development OF the
Nation you, saved from disruption. You
planted and have cultivated we'll; the
harvest is greater than the planting.
MY comrades, Is 1t not inspiring to
know and feel that each and everyone
OF us were q part of that moral force
that brought about these glorious re-
suits? Though our heads may be sill.
vered and Souf steps tottering, let us
keep the Fi:.s Tying and life up our
voices With true patriotic feryor for
national unity, for equal rights for all
men, and for honesty and purity In the
state and In the home.
The most beautiful sentiment EN-.
phasized In our trinity OF principles,
Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty. Is
love In action. Moved by this impulse.
the strong care for the weak, and so
they carry Joy and hope to those OF
our number who need a helping hand
Is we decline In numbers and strength.
we rejoice that our affiliated societies
are growing stronger and more active
~ their tender loving ministrations.
Memorial Day, with its precious
memories Q fsheroic service and sacri.
flee 10 dearsto the hearts Of our com.
radeship. The time for mourning has
Its limitations. Let us rather look up.
ward from the itombs Of deceased com.
fsdes into the sunlight Of the coming
day Of our reunion. Let us raise our
blood-stafned banner to full mast and
rejoice that4o our dead have not died in
vain. Let the Flag symbolizc that In
laying down their lives they have left
rich and lasting legacies for humanit-
The celebration OF Memorial Day is
the climax of the purest patriotism
Like pilgrims we gather annually at
the sacred mounds that cover the ash.
es Of our heroic comrades. Their
graves are the earthly affairs where we
place our lighted candles OF patriot.
ism. As we assemble on these ami.
versary occasions, let US pause for a
few moments, dip our flags and with
uncovered heads, drink in an inspiring
draught OF patriotic devotion to the
principles OF which they gave their
Lives, and there, between the living
and the dead, have a vision of the
Journey from mortality to immortal.
fly. and, turning from the sacred spot,
again resolve that we will renew our
allegiance to the cause for which thew
have the last full measure of their de.
yotion.p
..