Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-08-31
MoNFoRT PRAISES VETERANS.
Commanderin-C Chief Delivers Address
at G. A. r, Encampment.


commander-in- Chief Delivers Address
at G. A. r. Encampment.
Kansas City. Aug. 3l.-Praise for
the soldiers of the civil war, for their
return to the pursuits of peace al the
conflicts end instead of establishing a
military power was sounded by capt.
E r. Monfort, communicative chief OF
the G.. A. R., at its annual encamp-
ment here today.
May wise counsels prevail, and may
fraternity. charity and loyalty contro!
our deliberations in every detail OF our
work" said Captain MonfOrt.
Fifty years have come and gone
since. our association was founded, anu
we have gathered in this beautiful
city to hold our golden anniversary.
The record of a 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
dustrial and commercial activities nave
been marvellous. Our population has
Increased more than threefold, until We
are the. richest and take rank among
the foremost nations of the world.
"Our national domain has been rich
ly fertilized with the blood of freemen.
You, my comra des. have contributed
more TO this end than any other class,
Because of your laloors and sacrifices
we have g, unified nation. In this ser
vice you confirmed the guarantees Of
our constitution. You broke the
shackles on the limbs of FIVE millions
of bondsmen. You taught other ma
tons that in this country all men are
born free and equal before the law,
entitled to labor and receive the re-
ward OF their labor.
You did not seek to establish a
military power, for when the bugle
notes of victory were sounded you
turned from war to peace. The world
marveled at this sudden TRANSFORMED
ton. The people Of other lands did
not understand the educational pro-
cesses that had developed the vigor
and manliness of American character
that could make a man a soldier in
time OF peace.
Let us rejoice that you, my COM
rades, were able to subdue the pas
sions engendered by war, return to the
pursuits of peace and begin at once
to build on the foundations you had
so we'll laid. I congratulate you that
so many are yet living to see and en-
Joy the unparalleled development Of
the nation you saved from disruption.
You planted and have cultivated we'll;
the harvest Is greater than the plant
ing.
MY comrades, Is 1t not inspiring TO
know and feel that each and everyone
Of us were a part OF that moral force
that brought about these glorious re-
suits? Tho our heads may be silvered
and our steps tottering. let US keep
the flag flying and lift up our voices
with true patriotic fervor 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. AS
we decline in numbers and strength,
we rejoice that our affiliated societies
are growing stronger and more active
in their tender loving ministrations
Memorial Day. with its precious
memories Of heroic service and sacri-
fee Is dear to the hearts OF our COM
radesh!p. The time for mourning has
its limitations. Let us rather look up
ward from the tombs Of deceased com
rades into the sunlight Of the coming
day Of our reunion. Let us raise our
bioodstained banner to full mast and
rejoice that our dead have not died in
vain. Let the flag symbolic that in
laying down their lives they have left
rich and lasting legacies for human
ity. The celebration Of Memorial Day
is the climax OF the purest patriotism.
the sacred mounds that cover the
ashes of our heroic comra des. 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 to which they gave their
lives, and there, between the living
and the dead, have vision Of the jour
ney from mortality to immortality,
and, turning from the sacred spot.
again resolve that we will renew our
allegiance to the cause for which they
gave the last full measure Of their de-
votion"