The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-01-12
REUNION OF VETERANS.
Annual Installation and Camp Fire
Of Post wood, No. 294, G. AR,

OF Post wood, NO. va, q. n. IL,
The annual installation of officers and
camp fire of Post Wood, No. 294. G. A
r, of Hoosick Falls, took place on Wed
nesday evening, The installation exer-
cises were held in the Post rooms in
Cheney block, and were ably conducted
by our newly elected District Attorney
Commander Lewis f. Griffith of Post
Willard, Troy. A large number of in
vited guests were present III addition to
the members of the Post, there being
representatives from Post Willard OF
Troy, Post Custer of Bennington, Post
John Mckee of Cambridge, Post Harris
citizens from this and other places.
At the close of the installation cere-
monies the entire company adjourned to
Woods hall where bountiful collation.
was spread, to which all did ample JUS
tice, the coffee (Which by the way was
excellenD being served in the regulation
tin cups. After supper the pipe of
peace" was circulated, and soon almost
the entire assemblage was smoking. to
the great comfort and consolation of the
smokers, and the discomfort of few
gentlemen who have not yet experienced
the benign and soothing influence of the
weed. 1t ia needless to say that the lat
ter were not veterans. A short time
was passed in conversation and in the
recalling of pleasant scenes and incidents
connected with the great struggle, after
which the exercises of the evening were
opened by the performance of selections
from "Erminie by the Mower and Reap.
er band, Mr.. Charles Moon, leader, who
had kindly volunteered their services
for the occasion. The clergy command
ers and past commanders of Posts, and
several prominent men were then invit-
ed to take seats upon the stage, the back
of which was decorated with American
flags. Commander L. E. Worden of
Post Wood delivered an address of wei.
come, which was listened to with deep
attention and heartily appreciated by
all present, A male quartette cOmpos-
ed of Messrs. Ambrose Carr, 7 F. Leon
ard, Joseph Bane and Louis Walsh then
rendered fine selection, after which
the audience were greatly entertained
by Prof. Bradford of Bennington, VT,
who gave q recitation in manner high
ly creditable; he was loudly applauded,
and it was only upon promise to reap
pear later in the evening that he was
allowed to retire. An excellently rem.
dered German song by Mr.. John Mul
cahy was warmly appIauded, and he
TO reappear.
Commander Lewis E. Griffith of Post
Willard, Troy, was then introduced and
delivered an able and eloquent address.
Mr.. Griffith denounced in scathing terms
the stay at home copperheads of war
times. saying that it is these self same
individuals who today denUunce and
find fault with the Grand Army of the
Surplus" which is so disturbing the
minds of the leading politicians and
statesmen of the day. might be advan.
tageousIy used in providing a pension
for each and every soldier who fought
for the preservation of the Union, who
may be in need of assistance by reason
of old age or other inCapacity, whether
wounded or NOT, and rected instances
of cases in which, if a disabled soldier
accepted home as provided for him by
grateful (?O country be was separated
from his wife-perhaps as old and en-
ieebled as himself. and for whom no
provision was made. "What shall we
do with Mother" is a question which
will have to be settled IN the near flu
ture, and the Grand Army with its 400
900 representatives should and doubt
less will see to it that Mother" is pro
vided with a home as well as the life
partner of her joys and sorrows and sor
rows, who has given his substance, per
haps to his country Hoosic Falls
Democrat.