Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-02-10
GRAND ARMY ENCAMPMENT,
The Largest and Most Successful
Meeting Ever Held by the De-
partment of Vermont.

A ROusing Campfire with Stirring
Bpeecheas--a Brilliant RRnquet--.the
Officers Elected.
The annual encampment of the Grand Army
of the Republic, Department of Vermont,
began its session in this place yesterday, with
a larger number of delegates and embers
present than ever before convened on q sim
liar occasion in the state. Among the dis
tinguished persons in attendance were Gov
Farnham and Lieut.Gov. Barstow Major
Merrill of Lawrence, Mass, commander.in
chief, and Rev. ]. T. Lowering, chaplain in
chief of the G.. A. r. of the United States;
Past Commander Corliss of the department
of Now York Gen. Henry Of Burlington;
Maj A. b. Valentine of Bennington, Capt
Kinsman of Rutland, Capt. Coffee of Mont
pelicr, Col. Gates of Cambridge, Drs. Allen of
White River junction and Rutherford of New
port, Comrades Warren Gibbs and G. H. Big
Glow of Burlington aud G. X. Russell of Bel
lows Falls, Col. Richardson of Troy, n Y,
Col. james Of the New York department, and
many others.
At o'clock the delegates convened at
Grand Army hall, and the roll was called
Col. Geo. W. Hooker, department command
err occupied the chair Brief remarks were
made by Gov Farnham and Commander
Corliss Of New York, and committees were
appointed to report list of officers, a coun-
tional encampment to be presented at the
meeting Friday morning.
THE CAMPFIRE.
At o'clock the delegates formed in line of
march at tue Brooks House, and headed by
the Brattleboro military band, proceeded to
the town hall, where the campfire was to be
held Although the weather was stormy, the
large number of citizens in attendance sufficed
to fill the hall to its full seating capacity.
The exercises began with a march by the
band, after which prayer was offered by Rev.
A. b. Truax. The Flag of the Bold and
Free" was then sung by a local quartette com
posed of Messrs. j. A. Markham, Geo Emery,
q. Il. Stevens and F. W. Brazor, who were
called out second time.
Col. Hooker then introduced Chaplain in
Chief Lowering of Massachusetts, who deliv-
cred the principal address of the occasion.
His speech was largely made up of anecdotes
of the war, both pathetic and humorous
many of them from his personal experience
illustrative, not only of the heroism aud en-
DURANGO of our northern soldiers, but of the
noble principles which animated and sustain
ed them during the long and bloody contest
The eloquent words by which the speaker
recalled to mind the grand events and heroic
incidents of the war were strongly re-enforc-
ed during his remarks by the display of sew
eral interesting relics which came into his
possession while engaged in the duties of
chaplain. His remarks were greeted with
frequent applause.
Following Chaplain Coverings address,
Mr.. Markham sang a spirited solo. "At Muir
| freesboro," with organ accompaniment, which
brought out an encore.
Gov. Farnham was next introduced and
made an admirable little speech, abiding in a
complimentary manner to the work and char
| acter of the Grand Army organization, and
calling to mind the fact that, from the nature
of its membership, it must soon be among
the recollections of the past that doubtless
there were in the audience before him persons
who would one day see the last veteran car
ried to his grave. He closed by urging upon
the youth of the country proper care for
the remembrance of those who fought and
suffered to save the nation.
| Col. Hooker next introduced Commander.
| in-Chief Merrill, who made few remarks in
which wit and pathos were happily mingled.
| In his reference to the Grand Army, its char
acter, purposes and membership, he remark
ed that, while he was fond of regarding his
own state of Massachusetts, as leading in all
worthy directions. she was behind Vermont
in one respect turning to Gov Farnham
she had never yet honored with her chief
magistracy one who a soldier in the war
and member of the Grand Army of the Re-
| public. His speech was excellent throughout
and his peroration most eloquent
The band then gave in spirited manner
some operate selections from ''Olivette"
The closing speech at the hall was made by
| Past Commander Corliss Of New York, who
spoke very briefly, and the exercises closed
with THE Soldiers Farewell by tue quar-
| tette.
THE BANQUET.
At the conclusion of the camp fire exer-
| ai. aAf hu1 70 H.,
House. where, by Col. Hooker's invitation, all
the old comrades in-arms present sat down
to an elegant banquet, together with large
number of invited guests, including gentle
men from abroad and prominent citizens of
| Brattleboro. Some 270 plates were laid and
every seat was taken. On no previous occa-
sion has the well-appointed Brooks House
dining-room contained SO large and so bril-
liant company. Grace was said by Rev.
w. H. Collins, and while the gustatory pleas
ures were in progress the military band gave
selections in the adjoining hallway. When
the implements of the table had been lain
aside, Col. Hooker, as master of ceremonies,
arose and gave as the first toast of the eve
ming, THE President of the United States"
and called on Col. Haskins, the government
representative as United States Attorney for
the district of Vermont to respond. After a
few pleasant remarks, intimating that he did
| uOl huOH why ne, u representative OI the lu-
| dical department, should be called on to
speak for the executive department of the
government Col Haskins went on to say
that the President of the United States is the
embodiment of the opinions and the will of
the people as expressed through the ballot
box. He is the servant of the people; it is
his highest duty to see that the greatest lib
erty aud the broadest equality are extended
to all the people. Under our peculiar Ameri-
ID, -
the opportunity and the ambition of every
citizen, George Washington was the first
representative of our grand republican prin-
cples, and none has been greater or moro be-
loved except it be Lincoln. He, Lincoln,
came direct from the people and he carried the
great American idea with him through weary
years till his noble heart was almost broken.
He carried it with him to martyrdom, and
with the grand trophy of four million broken
chains he went up on high to lay them on
the altar of eternal fame. This same idea
was embodied in another man whose name,
Col Haskins said, might surely be pro-
nounced in Suoh presenoe-Ulysses s.
Grant He carried this idea with him from
Donelson to Appomattox and when the vic
tory was won the old soldiers of the Repub.
lie bore him up in their arms before the peo-
pie and said, Take him. this is our Hora-
tius!" After concluding a glowing eulogy of
Grant, the soldier and statesman, Col. Has
kins paid like eloquent tribute to the lamen.
ted Garfield, aud closed with an earnest ex-
preston of confidence in the wisdom and
patriotism of President Arthur and his abili.
ty to give the country an administration
which will make all the people prosperous
and happy, Col. HAskins spoke with great
force and Was frequently and warmly APP
plauded. As he closed the quartette gave a
selection, and Col. Hooker then said he
would next call up one of the valorous old New
Hampshire "Floodwoods," Mr.. W. II. Alex,
auder Something directly to the point was
expected as Mr.. Alexander's venerable head
and erect form rose up in the hall, and the