Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-09-01
Address Of Ronald c.
Glover August "a, 1916

Mtnbtrs VI lht NIdiiu army VI thO
Republic and friends:
One half century ago a number of
patriots, strong hearted and true, who
had served in the forces for the pres
ervation of the union, banded them
selves together and formed the begin
ming of what has proved to be in the
fifty years of its existence, the great
est agency for righteous honorable gov
ernment in all history. 1t was in
staunch and heroic Ohio, that state of
two of our martyred presidents, Gar
field and Mckinley, both of whom
served with you comrades of the union
army that there came into existence
the Grand Army of the Republic.
1t has been the custom in this coun-
try, a custom which was wisely begun
and one that should be perpetuated, to
mark by fitting ceremonies anniversar-
les of so much Importance as this one.
Today and on this occasion of our meet
ing here it is not possible to hold ex'
ercises that would adequately express
our appreciation of the great service
that has been performed by this body
of America s best citizens, and | nope
that before the year shall have eX-
pired thousands of people shall gather
in Salem and throughout the land and
listen to the record of good works
wrought by this Grand Army Of the
Republic as told in the songs of out
most talented and accomplished vocal
lists and the speeches of our most gift
ed and eloquent orators.
The Grand Army of the Republic
Could there have been found another
name so appropriate and which would
have so clearly expressed the material
of which it was made end the purposes
for which it was formed. As we pro-
nounce it our memories revert to the
firing on our flag at Sumpter and the
prompt call for volunteers to defend 1t
made by that foremost American, the
great and Godlike Abraham Lincoln.
From every hamlet and town in every
loyal state from Maine to Oregon we
see the boys responding to that call
and leaving the farm, the factory and
the counting house TO shoulder the
musket in defense of country. AS tAe
dread serpent of rebellion grew more
formidable we see countless thousands
of patriots. the flower of the manhood
of the nation rallying under the stars
and Stripes and offering their lives on
the altar of their country. We follow
them from Bull Run TO Appomattox. In
that first battle on Virginia soil we
see them defeated, but firm and reso'
lutte, and 90 with them for four long
years as they deal decisive blow after
blow with Mcclellan at Antietam
Sheridan at Winchester, Logan al
Vicksburg, Meade at Gettysburg, Thorn
as at Nashville, Sherman to the sea
and Grant around Richmond, where tht
rebellion was finally crushed, more
than four million human beings made
securely free and the union preserved
What glordious achievement!
1t was the survivors of the armies
and navies of the union that organized
and has continued in strength and pur
pose the Grand Army of the Republic
You veterans of Sedgwick number ten
Grand Army of the Republic, and yot
| loyal and patriotic women ASSOCIATED
| with them, know the component paris
of this grand organization. In fact, al
America knows them. They are ou
exemplary patriots, our model citizens
and we all nOnOr and reverence then
| for their noble deeds, and, annually
| In the most impressive ceremonies, re
consecrate ourselves around the graves
of their departed number to the prin
ciples for which they laid down thel
Young lives and renew our pledges U
| the highest ideals of citizenship.
You members of the Grand Army o.
| the Republic founded your organization
lupon the bases of fraternity, charity
and loyalty. That further demonstrat
ed the material of which you were
made. You had just been discharge,
as members Of a victorious army, tresl
from scenes of blood and strife. You
great leader and president, whom yo'
| loved and adored, had but recent!
been shot down by the foul hand of al
assassin and many against whom yo'
| had been fighting approved the dast
| ardly deed and refused to be reeonclle'
| 10 the decision you had secured at 81
| frigntful cost Yet in this crisis yol
formed your organization to preserv
as citizens those indestructlble primer
| ples YOU had advanced as soldiers, an
| since that day you have so worke'
your noble purposes into American
laws and institutions that in all tim
to come there should never again b
any question raised concerning the WIS
dom and permanency Of any OF IN
great things for which you have cor
tended.
In reviewing the works of your OF
ganization it is very plain that II
founders were inspired by the eours
outlined by President Lincoln in hi