The National tribune., 1881-09-24

some OF them, OF scores OF battles, anu aiohS this
pathway or bridge of sabres and sloped bayonets
! the God of Day drove his chariot, eveklng above
| the marching men below, CLEANS and flashes OF
golden and silvery light as the wheels OF his
! triumphal car bore him onward toward the wait
ing west.
STRAINS OF STIRRING MUSIC
rose upon the balmy air and hung trembling
above the heroes who inspired it with soul
IJpon either side of the way, far the eye could
reach was built up from curb-stone to rOof-tree
! wall of faces Flags and banners waved on every
hand Cheer after cheer and shout upon shout of
iov made silence quake and flee without the city.
Wreaths and garlands of flowers were scattered
everywhere. They hung from housetop to base
ment, were cast upon the moving panorama, upon
the uplifted sabres, the shining bayonets, and
thrown in the way to be trampled under the feet
which, having plodded through years of suffering
and sorrow, over tOilSome roads, were now march
ing hOmeward treading upon a soft, velvety car
pet woven by loving hands from natures sweet
est treasures
WOMEN GREW HYSTERICAL
and Stalwart men felt choking sensation in the
throat that would not let them speak without
tears followed the utterances of the heart as the
steady tramp, tramp, tramp of the legions of lib
erty passed before them in review, each step ca
denced to the music of the Union. Hark Yon-
der come the guns. Hear how they rumble and
grumble, and groan as if they, too, realized that
the war was ended, their occupation gone and
were angry at the fact. How different from their
masters. and yet, what a sympathy between
them! The black throated cannon and the
bronzed and bearded cannonneers are kin. Look
at them as they pass! Are they not fitted for
each other? And the horses, even. See how
proudly and gallantly they step keeping time to
the war-ike music resounding from evey side !!
And here come the cavalry! Thousands upon
thousands, pennons flying, carbnes clinking, and
sabers changing. Here they come with galaxy
of glorious chiettains in the van.
THAT YOUTHFUL-LOOKING,
slender fair-hared dashing cavalier, with blonde
complexion and long silken mustache is Custer
himself whose brilliant spirit shed its last flick
ering light on the banks of the Rosebud, in the
midst of savages. He wears a broad -brimmed
gray slouch hat, and jaunty, flowing scarlet
scarf at his throat That is his division follow
ing. You may know them by their long
crimson neckties, floating in the wind They
are not idolatrous, and yet they worship him.
Can any loyal heart blame them for so doing?
Now step through the Treasury building and
take seat directly opposite the reviewing stand,
upon which are to be distinguished those among
living men whom the Nation most loves to honor,
THE PRESIDENT AND HIS CABINET,
Generals Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, Howard,
Sl0cum, Logan, and Others-names now house
hold words throughout the land. Then turn
your ewes eastward. The column is wheeling to
the left and coming into view from behind the
old State Department, torn down years ago to
make room for the north wing of the Treasury
See how the ranks close up as they approach the
grand pavilion. Watch the swing of their shoul-
ders: see how careless, and vet with what pre-
cision every movement is made. They are no
holiday soldiers; they veterans-the "Old
Guard" of the Republic. Their eyes have looked
again and again into the powder -blackened muz-
zles of the enemys cannon; have seen the thin
tubes of death leveled at their breasts by the foe
have beheld all the sights and heard all the
sounds of fiercest battle. There is a firmneSs in
the set of their jaws, a resOluteness in their de-
meanor which distinguishes them from all those
who only wear the military garb in peaceful
times And their uniforms! no imposing bear
skins, no waving plumes no gaudy dress. The
plain frOck or simple blouse and army blue pam
falcons, ragged
STAINED, AND BEGRIMED
by the elements of heaven, earth, and war; and
the fatigue cap or regulation felt hat-these are
their garments-garments which become them
as completely as do the robes of royalty the
kingly form. Beside US sits a man in faded
blue blouse. He has but leg. The other
lies buried somewhere in the Wilderness His
head is craned forward and he eagerly watches
for the coming Of There she is There she
comes; look at her; nothing but rag; hurrah! J"
he shouts, and half slides, half tumbles from the
bench and is at the curb stone by the time that
which had once been a flag, but is now mere
fragment of tattered and smoke-begrimed silk
comes opposite. Halo, Bill How are you,
Dan? Where's Charlie?" The regiment mere
handful has passed; but the men, though they
turned not head or eye, had many of them
recognized cOmrade, and he knew it.
AS HE HOBBLED BACK
to his place he put up hand, from which two
fingers were missing, and wiped away the tears
that upon one side of his face, followed in the
track of deep sabreicut running dagonally
across it. "Them's bully boys" said he, as he
climbed into his seat. II used to carry that flag.
| had it when Johnny give me this lick on the
mug at Gettysburg" Fingers? Vas they sort
n oot ayav from mo Somehow down on the pa-