The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-07-01

semble people must be careful for fear that
they, being of a rough material, as is some
times said, may cross the lines of good con-
duct that are drawn for the best citizens But,
sir, the soldiers are made up Of as good blood,
bone and muscle as God ever made up man
with, and not only that, they are trained,
drilled and disciplined gentlemen and show
IL wherever they go, and the citizens need
not be alarmed. l am willing to take twenty
thousand soldiers and put them anywhere
in the United States and let them pass
week, and take twenty thousand citizens
who have not been soldiers, and let them
pass week-and see."
Wednesday the veterans had entirely to
themselves. Many remained at the camp
lounging idly among the tents; others were
lying. in the abundant shade, smoking and
seeming to draw the very quintescence of
comfort out OF the situation, while others
still formed little groups and fought their
battles over again by recalling each TO the
Others the memorable fights in which
they had been engaged. Many were the
thrilling adventures related and many the
anecdotes told with rare zest and evident
relish While many of the veterans re-
manned at or near their camp quarter, many
others went on excursions down the harbor
hundreds went over the Portland & Ogdens-
burg road to the White Mountains, others
visited comrades quartered at Old Orchard
or on the island in the bay, and still others
formed parties and proceeded to favor
able localities for indulging in clam-bakes,
while thousands were seen on the streets of
Portland in variously-sized groups and in
search of points of interest.
AT the executive session the commanders
report showed that the membership of the
organization had risen to 100000 survivors
of the Union army. The cash in the treas
ury amounts to S15,224. The following
resolution of sympathy with General Grant
was adopted:
Resoired By the nineteenth national encampment
of the Grand Army of the Republic, assembled in
the city of Portland, representing three hundred
thousand ex-soldiers and ex-sailOrs in the United
States that In this first hour of session ten
der to the distinguished comrade soldier and states
man, General Y. 5. Grant, our profound sympathy
in his continued illness and extend a soldiers greet
ing to our beloved commander and cOmrade, who
has for months endured unspeakable agony with
that characteristic fOrttude that has CHALLENGED the
admiration of the world.
Receptions, meetings, reunions festivities
of various kinds, excursions and displays of
fireworks, were the order of the day and
night. San Francisco was chosen for the
place of meeting next year.
Thursday the grand breakup began At
the executive session a resolution in favor
of providing suitable recognition of DR.. b. f.
Stevenson of Illinois, the founder of the or
ganization, was adopted. A resolution ia
voring a pension of So month to every
surviving soldier who took part in the re-
bellion failed of adoption. BY vote of the
encampment Memorial day will hereafter
be observed on Sunday. A ballot for COM
mander-in-chef resulted in the election of
Samuel S. Burdett of Washington, ID. G..
So the nineteenth annual encampment, one
of the most enjoyable the organized veter-
ans of the Union armies in the war of the
rebellion have held, came to a close.