Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-01-06

how Col. Hooker tried to ride his horse
across creek on the shadow of a log one
night The story brought
down the audience.
COMRADE MC'GETTRGCK' REMARKS
After music by the band Comrade +. .
w. McGettrick of st. Albans was called
upon After predatory remarks he stated
thet he was monumental proof of the
fact that no politics found place in the
Grand Army. 1t allowed such sinner as
the speaker to occupy the stage with gen
erals cuionels, ex governors, next gov |
ernors and ministers of the gospel. A !
grander result of the war than the pre- |
servation of the union as far as
present results are concerned was the
breaking down of the barriers which |
separated the people of this country. The
Grand Army has done more than any
other society or organization to teach the
brotherhood of man. He spoke of the
sufferings of the old soldiers and the fact
that the finger of scorn was too often
pointed at the veteran who Is clothed
poorly. He then expressed his regret that
there is no Woman's Celiet corps in the
city. He expressed fea that it was be-
cause be ladies thought they would come
in contact with men of inferior social
standing to themselves. He told a
story AT the expense of Command
er Trick which was well received.
He then spoke of the work that the
Womau's Relief Corps is doing and closed
by expressing the hope that "A corps would
be established here by the time of the next
meeting.
America" was sung after which the
members of the post aud invited guests
adjourned to Coon's for the bean supper.
THE BANQUET.
Mr.. II. n. Coon had made elaborate ar
rangements for the banqueters and his
large dining hall presented an attractive
appearance, three rows Of tables extend
ing the entire length of the hall. The
boys fell in" with their old time prompt.
ness and after grace by Rev f. p. Gould
the coffee, hardtack and beans were dis
posed of in short order. The tables were
served in an efficient manner by large
corps of walters and the banquet passed
off in manner most credtable to Mr.,
Coon.
Among those present were Gen. vii
liam Wells, Col. W. A. Cromoie, and DR..
G. NJ. Ferrin, DR.. Smead, Capt. Drury,
Capt. Beach, Essex Junction ; Dr. Carpen
ter of Post 800, Iron Mountain, Mich.
Rev j. ID. Beeman of the Vermont Meth
odist seminary at Montpelier; Major
David White of Rouses Point; Hon w
h. Burnap, Aldermen Smith and Mckil
! lip, Superintendent Black and others
BY request of Commander Trick, Mayor
| Henry took charge OF the feast of reason
and turned on the oratory' as he termed
the operation.
Brig Gen. w. L. GTeenleaf was th'
first who was called upon He related sew
eral amusing anecdotes in connection will
experiences III camp, especially with refer
ence to the commissary dedartment which
were well received.
Gen. Peck paid glowing tribute to tn,
record of Col q. w. Hooker during thu
war, The morning that the third division
started for Richmond. Col Hooker wa
division adjutant general, and he tolt
Gen. Ripley that the latter's brigade woul'
lead into the city, and the Vermont boy
got there first The general told Severa
good stories and was heartily cheered
Gov. j. l. Barstow suggested that tn
next speech by Col. Hooker in this city b.
colonel could speak quite intelligently OF
rye or hops. He spose OF Col Hooker
services in putting through the Legis
lature in 1850 the bill for the taxation
of corporations. II the Grand Army hat
been a political organization Little Phi
Sheridan would have been general i'll
stead of lieutenant general He would
like to see Sheridan president and accord
: ing to the newspapers he is not 20 mile
away from it either. Col. G. w. HoOke
when called upon told a story whic
brought down the house and excuse
himself from making a speech.
Rev. + z. Gould said that he had neve
been chaplain. He had been addresses
by nearly every title, but the worst wa
"Rev. Prof. Maj. + p. Could ID. d." Ii
answer to Col. Hooker's .audation c
VermCnt's climate he said that Vernon
was the only State that he had vtsite
where there was possibility Of snow ever
n,t
Rev. Mr.. Beeman said he had neve
seen anything so nearly like an old fash
ioned Methodist lovefeast as this camp
fire. He was pleased TO be present a
this was his first camp fire. For one h
would like to see all old soldiers receiv
. peuslon for riskin9 their lives in tn
service of the country. He accounted 10
Vermont's good men by their trainin
in virtue and good morals as well q
health, Two OF the best presidents Yves
leyan university ever had, Dr. Olin an'
a Or. Fisk, were Vermont men, aud so O
through the records in other walks of life
Comrade McGettrick would regrt
= to see Little Phil" descend into tn
e slough of political campaign, and h
z Thought there was little danger. He ha
/: too much confidence in Little Phil
Judgment. He believed Gen. Grant s n
q cord was not enhanced by his election :
e president and he thought Sheridan woul
l decline rs Gen. Sherman had, to becom
! political aspirant He told his eXper
ence with an old officer who came l2 mile
J. to see what "a fellow who fought th
s 'Rebs' so well could have to say in fave
o of tn" democratic party"
e P.nf Il. G. O'Sullivan made one OF tn
5 mosl eloquent speeches of the evenin
4 and ut the same time one of the whites
q He had often thought the only thing /
q had IN common with the soldier was a
d elegant disregard for veracity. He spos
q from the standpoint of one who was :
d young that he had to stay at home. A
l. though one Of the opposite party if lit
s Phil should be nominated he feared
n would not be able to resist the temptatiu
F. to vote for him. The Union soldiers we
II the hravest that ever drew sword, bV
II the Vermont soldier shone above the
e all.
e Comrade Bush read poem in whiC
Q the names of the prominent members
', the post were brought in with great a
q proprateness, of which lack of space TO
y bids further mention at this time.
b Col. j, +. Fox of the Vermont DivisiC
= Sons Of Veterans made a pleasant speec
,e asking the comrades to influence the
/ sons TO become members of the sons
I, Veterans, and closing with laughah