Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-07-25

TIE yERNpNIERs n CHICACo.-now THEY
CELEBRATED TIE FOURTH.
Culc,., Irlv q ls-I

CELEBRATED TIE FOURTH.
CurcAGo, July 9. ls73.
Editor Free Press and Times
Although a thousand miles away. yet
when the gun at sunrise indicated the dawn
Of our national birthday. the sons Of Yer
mont resident in Prairie Land returned in
spirit to the Old Green Hills, drinking
inspiration and while Vermont was aglow
with patriotic fervor. doing homage to the
memory Of her greatest patriot. the hearts
Of her sons in the great Northwest were
beating in unison with those within her
borders Often was heard throughout the
day. the expressed wish, - that were in
Vermont, not from homesicknesS. for they
love the home of their adoption. but from a
devoted attachment to the home Of child
hood, 50 characteristic Of every genuine
Nermon,er. No matter where Won meet
him, at home or abroad, the =" Green Noun
tain Boy 80 never forgets tire proud title, nor
the gallant leader, whose bravery at old
d" Fort Il" rendered famous the faithful
little band Of patriots, the original settlers
Of the d" New Hampshire Grants" But
while You were paying homage to the de-
parted patriot, we in the West were doing
our best TO assist the poor fellows rendered
crippleS by our " late unpleaantness, IN
properly celebrating the - glorious fourth
4 { the invitation of their brethren in Mil
waukee, a party Of Nermonters residing in
Chicago visited the former city, and to-
gether they spent the day at the &" National
Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. |
presume most Of your readers are aware
that this institution was established by the
Government, as a home for our disabled
veterans.
The buildings are located in grove near
the western limits of the city, and if beau
tiiul landscape, pure air. bountiful rations,
and systematic neatness are conducive to
health, comfort and happiness, then our
veterans should indeed be healthy, com
Portable and happy. Connected with tina
Home is a fine farm of about five hundred
acres, of the richest prairie land and each of
the two hundred inmates had task assigned
to him according to his strength and abll-
ity, which not only produces a revenue to
the institution, but also relieves the poor
boys from a feeling of dependence. Many
would starve rather than submit to cold
charity of the pOOr-house order; but !
this institution i made to resemble home |
as nearly as possible. A national home, |
where all are equal, and all are happy-a |
fitting rebuke to the oft repeated assertion |
that Republics are ungrateful." The |
- Fourth - was great day in camp all /
was life, hustle and confusion labor was
and the most intense excite
ment prevailed but this was no warlike
far from lit; it was their
annual reception and picnic, and the only
of grim visaged war was
he rusty uniforms of the - boys in blue.
Fun, gayety, and frolic were the order of
he day. The entertainment was opened by
IN exhibition of strength and agility, in
eries of athletic sports, including foot race.
yheelharrow race, sack race, greased-plg
ace, tub race, etc, ETC., and the ease and
,race displayed by many a one-armed, or
ne-legged veteran would put to shame
nany OF Us who boast OF a full set OF limbs
VI the conclusion Of the races, dancing
and continued till the wee
mall hours, and this was the most en-
oyable part of the whole performance. Tor
/ did ones heart good to witness the en-
husiasm with which these poor fellows
ractised the Terpsichorean art. In the
vening the grove was brilliantly Illumlna-
ed with Chinese lanterns, while at inter-
ais of two feet, lamps were placed along
be shore of miniature lake, and as they
'ere reflected in the water, presented the
ppearance of double row of lights. 10
rown the beauty of the scene there was an
aborate display of fireworks, and. as If IN
pproval, the moon shone brightly, lending
mellow light upon the scene, giving 1t
eird grandeur To sum it all up, twas
Jerry time, and the GLORIOUS Fourth was
slebrated in due and ancient form, and
ermont's fair fame was indicated by her ,
ms on the shores of Lake Michigan;
W. +. =.