The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1890-08-27
The Grand Army.

Statistics but meagerly measure the
influence which has gone out from the
nearly eight thousand post rooms of the
Grand Army of the Republic during
the quarter century of its existence.
Not alone, perhaps not chiefly, in the
cities and larger towns, but in the quiet
country villages, with less than a score
of veterans, the little posts have been
the center of patriotic devotion, tender
charities and loyal inspiration. In one
small hill-town of Massachusetts, of
the score of men who went into the
Union service, just fourteen returned.
These early organized into a Grand
Army post, and with a membership of
but little more than sufficient to fill the
offices. There has been no break in its
record Of meetings; two or three of the
original members have died; but fortu-
nately half-dozen veterans from other
places have come to reside in the vii
lage, and the roll now numbers two
more than at the beginning. AT the
other extreme stands General Lander
Post, No. 5, of Lynn, Mass, with its
membership of more than thousand,
for years the largest in the country,
and without rival in the amount of
property or the extent of its relief
work. This post was organized Feb
ruary 81, 1867, and during the follow
ing year arranged the first of its notable
series of fairs for the relief fund, which
have become known the country over.
Since it's organization it has expended
nearly 100000 in relieving the neces-
stiles of disabled veterans and their
families; it has erected and owns
the substantial building in which are
post room, well-stocked library,
ample kitchen, dining-hall, and rooms
for social enjoyment, and has altogether
in possession unencumbered real estate
to the value of 100000. No organiza-
ton has won and held higher place in
the confidence of the community, where
it is a recognized power and conspicu-
Gus pattern of well-directed energy.
The Grand Army of the Republic is a
unique organization. In the words of
past COMMUNICATIVE chief: "No child
can be born into it; no proclamation of
president, edict of king, or ukase of
car can command admission; no uni
versity or institution of learning can
issue diploma authorizing its holder
to entrance; no act of congress or
parliament secures recognition; the
wealth of Vanderbilt can not purchase
the position; its doors swing open only
upon presentation of the bit of paper
torn, worn begrimmed it may be-which
certifes to an honorable discharge from
the armies or navies of the nation
during the war against rebellion" And
unlike any other association, no new
blood" can come in; there are no
growing ranks from which recruits can
be drawn into the Grand Army of the
Republic. With the contamination of
peace through victory, its rolls were
closed forever. Its lines are steadily
and swiftly growing thinner, and the
ceaseless tramp of its columns is with
ever-lessening tread; the gaps in the
picket-line grow wider; day by day de-
tails are made from the reserve, sum-
moned into the shadowy regions to
return to touch elbows no more; until,
by and by, only solitary sentinel shall
stand guard, waiting till the bugle-call
from beyond shall muster out the last
comrade of the Grand Army of the Re-
public.-George S. Merrill, in Ne,o
England Magazine.