The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-06-24
LADIES OF THE G.A.R.NOTES

+. "A
gion and other patriotic organiza lions.
Mrs NJ. T. Kelsey. president of Lin
coin Circle, presented the guests to the
officers in the receiving line headed
by Mr.. w. w. Denison' commander of
the G. A. p. department of Kansas,
and Mrs. Mol1ie Hunter. department
president. Ladies of G. A. r. of Kan
sas, with others as follows: Mrs.
Nellie McMillin, Manhattan. depart
ment secretary; Mrs Lucy Milliken,
Mrs Hattie Smurr, Mrs. George Han
ley, Mrs. H. A. Black. Chas. King, ad-
jutant of the department of Kansas,
Valley Falls; w. ]. Stage, commander
of Lincoln Post; D. o. McCray am
Patrick Coney.
Mrs George HanIey, chairman of
the program committee introduced the
speakers and officers and Mrs. H. a.
Black had charge OF the music. Punch
was served by Mrs. A. NJ. Craig and
Mrs. Clarence Ritchie. d. 0. McCray.
secretary of the state and very bril-
liant public speaker gave the address
of welcome and paid glowing tribute
to Col. w. w. Denison and Mrs. Mollie
Hunter, who is fortunate in that rich
possession of many loyal friends thru
out the state of Kansas and who has
been twice honored with the highest
office in the state.
Mrs. Hattie Smurr gave a pleasing
address and presented Mrs. Hunter
with a beautiful bouquet of American
beauties. Both Mr.. Denison and Mrs.
Hunter responded with appropriate
words Of appreciation. The rest of
the program consisted of two vocal
numbers by Mrs. j. H. Sutton and
readings by Miss Ceora Lanham-
Mr.. McCray's address follows:
Ladies of Lincoln Circle, Grand
Army of the Republic, Kansas; de-
pa-tment officers and members of the
Grand Army of the Republic, Kansas.
"I am glad once more to stand in
this Temple of Liberty, dedicated to
tuted among men, and to look into
the faces of my old friends. trust I
may be pardoned for injecting here a
word personal. In my long residence
in Kansas, extending over nearly
half century, embracing my thirty-five
years among these Topeka neighbors.
the day has never been too stormy
or the night too dark to give freely of
any service in my power to these great
organizations OF men and women rep
resented here tonight In all my life
there has come to me no joy or happi-
ness so satisfying as the realization
that have in my small way been use
full in putting into the printed page
the story of the patriotism, devotion
to our country, the defense of the
Flag, and the high type of citizenship
exemplified by the two great patriotic
societies represented here tonight. 1
could ask no higher honor than to
greet every one of you as comrade.
ION behalf of the Ladies of Lincoln
Circle. Grand Army of the Republic,
1 wish to express their greetings and
welcome to Colonel w. w Denison,
department commander of the Grand
Army of the Republic, and other Of
ficers, and to Mrs. Mollie Hunter, re-
Gently honored with reelection to the
high office Of president of the Ladies
of the Grand Army of the Republic.
Department of Kansas. I have known
Colonel DenisOI. many years, but t
was in 1914 that I learned to address
him as 'Comrade-' In the early
months Of that year I was associated
with him daily in the capacity of
publicity - manager for the Grand
Army of the Republic in the prepara-
ton for the dedication of this great
building and this Temple of Liberty.
I shall always count that labor of
love the best service ever gave to
my state. Personally 1 am glad tc
join the Ladies of Lincoln Circle in
expressing their high appreciation of
the honor that has come to Colonel
Denison-the create st that could come
to any soldier citizen of Kansas. 1
speak not only for these patriotic or
CARNATIONS; 1 am but rejecting a
sentiment that is in the mind and
heart of every good citizen of Kansas,
because Colonel Denison is known in
every community as a. man worthy OF
the high honor recently conferred up
on him by the Grand Army of the Re
public. Department of Kansas.
1T is my great pleasure to express
to Mrs. Hunter the greetings and well
come of the Ladies of Lincoln Circle
and to testify to her intelligent and
patriotic service as president of the
Ladies of the Grand Army of the Re
public. Mrs. Hunters recent re-elec-
ton to this high honor is a tribute of
great worth. To all of usher neigh
bors and friends in Topeka it is a
recognition of which we are proud and
for which we express our greetings
and CONGRATULATIONS.
LAS we are assembled here tonight
our thoughts must turn to this sacred
building dedicated to the soldiers of
Kansas. 1t is a monument that will
stand for ages, but greater than this
| Temple of Fame is a monument to
the Civil war veterans gathered here
tonight, and to the great majority who
sleep in our cemeteries and in the
lonely graves of the southland, is that
stately monument that will endure
forever reunited, free. happy and
prosperous country. This truly was
the glad picture which was imprinted
upon the hearts of these heroes of the
Civil war when they consecrated
themselves to the cause of Union and
Liberty. 10 each and every one of
those present the Ladies of Lincoln
Circle extend heartiest greetings
This welcome extended to the new
department commander of the Grand
Army Of the Republic, by the Ladies of
Lincoln Circle. rerpindS us that after
al II was the palFfOlAC women OF the
country who had the hardest part to
bear during the months and years of
war. And this is true of the Civil
war, the Spanish-Amerioan war and
the World war. The excitement of
a soldiers life, the changing scenes
Of march and camp, the inspiration of
comradeship, the pride of duty well
performed, the sustaining of organ MIA
ton and numbers-AlI these were de-
MED them These women, at home
x~nir1Iaze 70
tent, self sacrificing and brave The
mothers. wives, sisters and sweet
hearts felt every shot that echoed on
the battlefields as a wound. They
were just as true patriots and heroes
as the men at the front
1T is a great privilege to live in