The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1922-06-23
LEGION LEADER
FIRST T0SPEAK
At 6. A. R. MEET
Robert Leeper Discusses
Problems of Citizenship
at Memorial Park Wed
nesday.

For the first time in history, an
American Legion man held the place
of honor at state G. A. R. encamp-
ment in Caldwell Wednesday when
Robert Leeper of Lewiston, veteran
Of overseas fighting with the olst d.
vision and now state commander OF
the American Legion, spoke to an
attentive audience at Memorial park
as a climax of Wednesday afternoon
parade and public exercises for the G.
A. R.
Responsibilities that are shifting
from Older to younger shoulders, a
common service that has left its heri-
tage, first with the Civil War veterans
and now with the younger army of
the World War and an appeal for
simplicity in government were key
note in Mr.. Leeper's address. He was
introduced by w. s. Hawkes., state
G. A. R. department commander.
Speaking directly to the G. A. R.
members Mr.. Leeper said in part:
"The Department of Idaho of the
American Legion is deeply honored
today by your having requested me, as
its Commander, to address you assem-
bled in your annual state convention
So far as know, this is the first time
this has been done, and yet | feel that
it is fitting and proper that we younger
soldiers of the Republic should appear
before you for the purpose of account
ing for the future to you old gentle
men who have acted as the guardians
of the welfare and honor of America
for these many years.
$50 / am here today to seek to
reassure you that the future of Am
erica will be safe in our hands, no
matter what storms may arise. am
here to tell you that we,-your
younger comrades-will continue to
sit at your feet at true Disciples until
the last of you shall have passed away.
l am here to tell you that we will
take up those burdens which, by reas-
on of advancing years, you are COM
PEELED to lay aside, and | am here to
convey to the G. A. R. the greetings
and heartfelt regard of all the men,
bers of the Department of Idaho OF
the American Legion.
"As read my history, there comes
- he rs "
years ago. A great war is being
fought for great principle, which
can only be settled by the blood Of
men and the tears of women. | see
the nation rended by great civil feud
and her fate as nation hanging in
the balance. Great armies are bi.
vouaced from the Atlantic to the Miss
issippi, and vast battles rage all up
and down that far flung line. For -four
long years this nation groaned in the
throes of her agony, and you OLD
gentlemen, then in the hot flush Of
your youthful prime, hurled yourselves
into the maelstrom of smoke, ano
flames, and flying steel, to at last
emerge victorious and triumphant ov.
er those who should to destroy the
Republic. Triumphant. but with kind
ly sympathy for the defeated foe, ant
inspired with desire to heal the deer
wounds of the war.
Under the leadership Of the i'm
mortal Lincoln, by your sacrifices, thu
nation was preserved for the genera
tons to come, great evil was for
ever destroyed, and you achieved anc
retained the honor which countr,
accords to its defenders, For 20,
there can be no dearer emblem thar
you marched and fought To you tn
marched and fought. To you thu
sight of the old regimentals mus
bring back, as II does TO us, tn
thought of brave, unselfish days, o
high, clean endeavors and noble as
pirations. know that when you fore
gather each year, those days seen
very fresh in your memory, and tn
hour of your greatest sacrifice was tn
hour Of your greatest glory. The ma
ton was in peril, and you all respond
ed to her call, When the great hou
struck you did not fail, To know thi
is your chief reward. 1t is true tina
a grateful nation has for many year
showered you with honors and witt
plaudits, but the reward of soldie
is ultimately in the knowledge that h
did not fail when the call came 7,
my mind, there is no more pitable OBJ