Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1883-06-14
The Coming Reunion.

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defeat or capture is mentioned, or SOFT
ems with a heaven born dew as the
mention of some cherished comrade
brings to mind his heroic death in the
wild clamor of battle or perhaps his
loss by lonely ford or on greysome
picket line. There is occasionally found
a member of the grand army who fails
to see any interest in reunions of this
kind; to whom the bloody scenes and
grieyous suffering of the dark days in
the early part of the sixties have too
vivid remembrance; who is quite will
ing that the dead past shall bury its
dead. But these are the exceptions and
SO scattered as to effect little if any
the general rule that the reunion is
the veterans earthly paradise.
| Again, this is right for other reasons.
In the language of General Sherman,
at the reunion of the Army of the
Potomac, in Washington last month
''It is well for you and all of us to
gather together from time to time,
either at the nations capital or else
where-be it city or village-t to compare
notes. We are beginning to get old
men, and these reunions revive old
memories. At them we can settle any
matters which existed or may continue
to exist, and transmit to our children or
successors in Office the high principles,
the honor, the magnanimity and the
glory for which we fought, and which
we achieved 1t not only revives old
memories and strengthens old ties but
arouses anew that patriotic devotion to
country which is an ever present but
often eclipsed quantity in the breast of
every true son of the republic. The
recount of the old deeds of daring and
devotion kindles in the hearts of the
younger generation a desire to emulate
the patriotism of their elders; if not on
the field of battle then in the walks of
peace, by devoting their life service to
the advancement and improvement of
country and the betterment of each and
every one of its citizens.
As school of patriotism, as an incl
tive to good government the reunion
ranks among the highest institutions of
the land.
1t is pleasant to note that each year
these gatherings are becoming more
numerous and better attended. Here
in Grant county the soldiers and sailors
association, from feeble beginning
three years ago, at which the attend
ance was but few hundred, has almost
outgrown itself, and its reunions now
number not only the veterans of this
county and the adjoining counties, but
of neighboring states as well and the at
tendance counts up among the thou
sands instead of hundreds. AS an in
stance OF a remarkably large growth
from an extremely small acorn it is
without parallel in the way of re-
unions.
This year the meeting of the associa-
ton is to be in this city and with proper
preparation there is not the least doubt
but the ten thousand which gath
cred to retell the old stories at
Boscobel last year will be swelled to
twelve or fifteen thousand here. 1t
will require an unbounded hospitality,
mingled with much executive ability,
and great deal of hard work to pre-
pare and properly provide for these
coming thousands. This preparation
cannot be commenced any too soon
in order that the numerous and intricate
details may all be thoroughly and care
fully carried out Something over two
months remain to be sure, but even this
time will be found not any too ample
if the reputation of the city is to be sus-
tanned, and none turned away empty.
1t should be the aim of every citizen to
see that each veteran who makes Lam
caster his headquarters on the 22nd
and 23rd of next August should be
ready to take oath that never was he
so courteously or bounteously enter
tanned as when in this city. The honor
of the city alone should be enough to
induce active and proper preparation,
but If this is not sufficient there are
other trains of sequences entering in
that should induce the straining of every
nerve to have as large an attendance
as possible. That is business consider
ations. The drawing here of large
crowd from abroad, many of whom
would then form their first acquaint-
ance with the handsome little city, may
lead TO continuance of that acquaint-
ance and ripening into closer intimacy
to the mutual advantage of both parties.
1t is therefore not only duty, pleas
ure, but pecuniary interest which should
induce such preparations as would
leave on all visitors the most pleasur-
able impressions. 1t takes time to or
ganize committees, and much more
time for the committees to Law out
their work in such shape as to
bring the best results with such expen-
diture of time and labor as will not
leave committeeman and citizens too
much worn out TO join in the festivities
OF the meeting.
With Lancaster rests the initial pro-
ceedings. She is the host. 1t is now
for her to signify her desire, extend in
vitation by notice of preparation, and
her guests will be las the sand of the
sea shore for multitude
Bad Memory.
The Iowa Democrats in convention
assembled, ''denounce the abuse in the
civil service of the government, state
and national, inaugurated by the Re-
publican party" The Iowa Democrats
n rn T., no cnn,rratuIafaJ fn, O., e,,o.,,,-,