Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1890-08-27
THE VETERANS AT BOSTON,
THE NATIONAL g. A. r. EN-
OAMPMHNT-A LARGE
ATTENDANCE.
STIRRING SODNES-.-9RAND
SUCCESS.
CHAPLAIN's LETTER.
CHAPLAIN's LETTER.

SUCCESS.
CHAPLAIN's LETTER.
The parade Of the war veterans at Bos-
ton August 10 was the most imposing
demonstration in the history of the G.
A. R. organization.
In every way, whether the standpoint
was that of numbers in line or crowds
| of spectators, weather order, or historical
associations, it exceeded all the en-.
campments which have preceded it and
probably will never be equalled in the
future. No one can fully understand
how this conclusion is reached unless
they can form comparisons from the
actual observation of at least half q
dozen preceding encampments.
In no other place could the Grand
Army IN the zenith of its power move
amid scenes of such historic interest as
in the city where stands the cradle of
American liberty; where are the spots
where the first blood was shed in the
Revolutionary war, and where repose
the ashes of the heroes of 1776. AS the
men in blue marched over the same
ground where the red coats had gone q
century before them. 1t was very sug-
gestlve of the relation OF the struggle of
the last century to that of our times in
tho IF h,,,~, IT,
who looked beyond the mere spectacle
of a marching multitude with its half q
million of applauding spectators to the
progress of liberal ideas thus suggested,
the animated scene was most inspiring.
Certainly no more inspiring object
lesson OF patriotism was ever given. Al.
though immense crowds had been muster
ing for several days from all parts of the
union, aud the streets were densly
packed with struggling multitudes. the
morning of the eventful day witnessed
the advent of as many of the citizens of
the surrounding country as the utmost
stretch of the capacity of the railroads
would permit. The Providence branch
of the Old Colony ran 14 trains that day.
As the Minnesota division of the march,
ing column was not expexted to move for
three hours We had ample time to witness
the parade of ct least one half of the pro-:
cession from near point on Colley
square. At our right rose the grave out
lines of Philips Brooks cathedral. In
front was the reviewing stand occupied
by President Harrison and cabinet, Gen
eral w. T. Sherman and many other
notables. One feature of the occasion
was especially noticeable; that of an err
tire lack of enthusiasm by the people for
the President. He was regarded by the
soldiery with respec: and curiosity bu:
had no power to stir the masses like
The death of BLACK jack" as the vet
Grams loved to call him, has removed one
of the most stirring features of these ma
~tional gatherings.
At five minutes of twelve o'clock the
firing of three cannons announced the
starting of the column. and soon amid
the shouts of the multitude the COM
mander-in. chief, Gen. r. Alger, appeared
leading the parade. He was superbly
mounted and made a fine appearance.
Behind him marched the host, 10000
strong. 1t was noble sight, but to one
who had seen the veterans march through
Washington on their way from the front
in May, 1865. with their batteries, uni
forms and weapons of actual war, there
was something lacking. They had left
something behind them, and that some
thing was the peculiar effect which could
be produced only by men fresh from the
experiences of the battle field. Here
were the same men-or many of them
but the rcgimental organizations around
whose names and numbers had gathered
the forms of glorious exploits, were lost
in the promiscuous mingllng of men of
all the states under the department ban.
ners. The old Washington reviews OF
1885 can never be repeated. To have
witnessed it was the opportunity of q
life time.
The chief interest of the parade at Bos.
ton was in the apparent vigor of the men
who marched. They appeared to be in
the main men OF correct habits and fairly
prosperous circumstances. In the ranks
might have been seen leading citizens
from almost any of the cities and towns
of the north. On every side were heard
from the lips of the multltudes express
sions of surprise at the numerical strength
and conscious vigor of the veterans in
line. All felt and admitted the mighty
influence these men were capable of exert
ing upon the affairs of the country tor two
decades to come. Although the stern
array of war was wanting, the various