The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-06-06
Soldiers Budget.
The Veterans Dream.

New York (National Zouaves) Com
rade Dudley, in response to the toast,
"The Grand Army and Kindred Or
CARNATIONS" spoke as follows: Mr.
Chairman and comrades, the Grand
Army is composed of men adapted to
different spheres. l belong to the
working element. Therefore | feel to-
night that | am undertaking task
which rightly belongs to some of the
great orators of our order. AS Captain
Mosscrop commanded me in years gone
by, and | never was lodged in the
guard-house for dsobeying orders, l
shall not at this late day commence,
but try and do the best | can. Instead
of attempting a speech upon this oc-
casion l will endeavor to picture a
vision of the past, present and future
of the Grand Army of the Republic
What sound is it we hear, that starts
the blood in the veins of our northern
boys, that blanches the cheeks of
mothers, wives and sisters? 1t is the
first shot at Fort Sumter, aimed at the
heart of great nation. The cry goes
forth, TO arms!' The farmer leaves
his plow, the mechanic his work
bench, the artist his studio, the lawyer
his office, the judge the bench and the
student his books. All responded to
that call, from every station in life
the rich and the poor, the white and
the black. All nationalities, all creeds
are looking to the front, resolved that
the Union, one and indivisible, must
and shall be preserved. Wives clasp
in loving embrace their husbands,
mothers weep over their darling boys,
sisters give the parting kiss to brothers,
foth fa
return, lovers renew their vows of
fidelity and amid huzzas, the waving
of flags and the booming of cannon we
leave our once happy homes to meet
southern foe and protect the flag of
our Union, with the assurances of
those in official positions that those that
are left behind will be cared for and
when we return no gift will be too
great to demand that may be at
the disposal of a saved republic-a
grateful nation could never forget her
patriot sons. They descended into that
valley of blood and death. Four long,
weary years they met foemen worthy
of their STEEL Will the end never
come? Listen! A dying comrade
sends his last request: Joe, look after
my darlings. Tell them how their father
gave his life that the nation might
live. Be true to the trust and God
will bless you. Goodbye, old COM
rade.' The dark cloud had so long
lowered DER them that they could see
family the tips of its silver lining. AT
last they marched up out of that val
ley, leaving thousands of comrades
who would only again meet them on
the shores of eternity, and the prom
ises made to their dying comrades were
still fresh in their memory. Forward
march! Again that column moves, this
time up and over the hill of time.
What do | see? Mothers scanning the
faces of grim warriors, looking in vain
for the one her heart yearns for;
fathers asking, as David of old, Is
the boy Absalom safe?' sisters greeting
brothers; lovers long separated again
united; young madens with orange
blossoms in their hair leaning on the
arms of their returned warriors, fulfill
ing the promises made years ago; little
children clapping their hands with Joy;
the bells peal forth their gladstone
notes. All is happiness. Peace is de-
clared, the war is ended. In this great
host are the MANNED and helpless and
those suffering from incurable disease.
The order, Halt! What does it mean?
They are before a draped altar. The
warriors, with uncovered head and up
lifted hands, pronounce these words,
will assist all poor and distressed COM
rades, their widows and orphans, and
in spirit of loyalty protect the flag of
my country Again the command
Forward Warriors are assisting the
widows of their fallen comrades to
ascend the hill; many of the comrades
lead by the hand the little ones who
have no earthly helper. The march is
long and weary; they open their haver-
sacks and divide with those less for
tunate. None shall go hungry while
they have enough and to spare. The
great company again halt. What does
it mean? All are engaged in planting
and strewng flowers over the graves
on this hill of time. 1t is Memorial
day. The bells now toll solemn notes
and the sad countenances and tears
that drop upon each mound bring back
memories of long ago. The little child
points to where grandpa sleeps. Again
they are on the march. They can see the
top of the hill; will they all reach it?
Tramp, tramp, tramp-they gain the
summit. What is it that so gladdens
their hearts, that causes that shout
WHICH Is caught up on all sldesl 10!
it is the soldiers monument, long talked
Of, at last completed. They strew it
with the choicest flowers and ask Gods
blessing on those that erected it. They
resume their march now down the hill
of time. An old warrior who is lead
ing looks back. What does it mean?
They have had re-enforcements. The
tattered flags they started with, new
ones seem to have taken their places,
and on them is inscribed Woman's
Relief Corps; on others Sons of Vet
erans.' The leader looks in vain for
the great host he started in company
with out of the valley. But few re-
main, and they are being assisted down
the hill by those they had assisted up
years before. A great many who wore
the orange blossoms now have put on
the habiliments of mourning. Again