Wm. H. Childers, Chaplain-In-Chief
During the 23. National Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Aug. 28-30, 1889, William H. Childers, a former member of Co. K, 14th KY Infantry, was elected as Chaplain-In-Chief of the GAR for the year 1890.
Here are excerpts from the Journal of the Grand Army of the Republic, covering the election.
Nominations for Chaplain-in-Chief were declared in order.
Comrade Boreing, of Kentucky.
Commander-in-Chief and Comrades of the National Encampment: We have honored ourselves in honoring the State of Michigan in the selection of the Commander-in-Chief from that State for the ensuing year-. Last, but not least, the grand State of Kansas has been rewarded by giving them the Surgeon-General. Now, what is to become of the poor old South? I stand here to-day in behalf of the loval people of the South, and by unanimous vote of the Department of Kentucky am directed to present a man for Chaplain-in-Chief �to present a comrade who is a comrade, indeed. This comrade is from eastern Kentucky. There is not a territory anywhere that could show a more loyal record than eastern Kentucky. Comrades, do you know anything about Cumberland Gap? It is a historic point, where the three States, Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee join. This comrade went out in the 14th Kentucky, and served three years as color-bearer of that regiment; at the end of the three years he re- enlisted for three years. He is a native-born Kentnckian. Let me tell you. it cost a man something in the South to be a loyal man during the war. In Massachusetts, in Ohio, in Wisconsin, when a man went into the Union army he was applauded; but the man in the South, when he went out in defense of his country was persecuted at home, and his family and all his interests were jeopardized, if not totally lost: he turned his back, as well as his face, upon his foe.
There were but five States in this Union that furnished more soldiers than the State of Kentucky to suppress the great rebellion, and I think we are entitled to consideration within our very reasonable demands.
I present the name of W. H. Childers as this comrade, than whom no better or braver man served his country.
The Department of New Jersey seconds the nomination of W. H. Childers, of Kentucky.
Comrade McKEE, Potomac.
I desire to second the nomination of Comrade Childers: and I want to say in seconding this nomination, that of the two hundred and seventeen thousand men that came from south of the Potomac to fight the battles of the Union, Kentucky sent seventy-five thousand men ; and we can well confer upon her the honor of this office.
The result of the vote for Chaplain-in-Chief was announced as follows:
Total number of votes cast. - - 409
Necessary to a choice, ... 205
Comrade W. H. Childers, received - - 170
J. F. Spence, received - 156
W. E. Stanley, received - - 48
Jeremiah R. B. Smith, received - - 85
Neither candidate having received a majority of the votes cast, the Encampment proceeded to another ballot.
A second ballot was cast for Chaplain-in-Chief was cast.
Comrade Hillis, of Kentucky: I will not annoy the Encampment with a long speech. The Department of Kentucky for the first time asks this Encampment to give it this position. I am here on the part of our delegation to present to the Encampment the name of a candidate from Kentucky. I will not undertake to make a speech. We, in Kentucky, are just getting our heads above water and we can assure you that the comrade we present is able and efficient and will be an honor and credit to the National Encampment. We name Rev. W. H. Childers.
Comrades Powers, of Kansas, and McKillip, of Maryland, seconded the nomination of Comrade Childers.
The result of the second ballot for Chaplain-in-Chief was announced as follows:
Total number of votes cast, - - - 499
Necessary to a choice, - - 250
Comrade W. H. Childers, received - - 304
J. F. Spence, received - - 173
Jeremiah R. B. Smith, received - - 21
W. E. Stanley, received - - 1
Comrade W. H. Childers of Kentucky was declared duly elected Chaplain-in-Chief.
The Commander-in-Chief introduced Comrade Childers who spoke as follows:
Comrades of the Grand Army of the Republic, this is the second time in my life that I have been made to rejoice down in my heart; my heart throbs now, as it did then, more than under any ordinary circumstances. Once was when the finger touched the button that said that peace was made, and we were allowed to go to our homes; and now when I stand before you elected as your Chaplain-in-Chief�Chaplain-in- Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, the highest honor that you could have conferred upon me, and for which I am very grateful; I find no words with which to express my thanks.
