Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1892-09-22
VETERANSIN SESSION.
GENERAL PALMER OPENS THE G. A..
r. ENCAMPMENT.

Over Quarter of Million Persons Re-
view the Procession of Sixty Thousand
Veterans, Which Took Seven Hours to
Pass a Given Point.
WASHINGTON Sept. 21.-The city is in
perfect vortex of excitement over the
Grand Army encampment, and the bright
uniforms, the blaze of colors, the music of
numerous bands and the jostling, good
natured throngs to be found everywhere
only serve to add spice to the effervescent
scene. Some idea of the crowds brought to
the city may be gained from knowledge
OF the fact that the train ON the Chesapeake
and Ohio railroad was run in twenty-seven
sections, some sections comprising fourteen
coaches
Amid thunders of applause all along the
avenue made sacred to them by the march,
nearly generation ago, before their be-
loved generals, with nearly thrice the
number df comrades, the gray old soldiers
who had saved the flag in 1861 and had
made it forever respected in 1865 marched
again yesterday, led by the survivors of the
valiant old Sixth Massachusetts, the first
to reach the goal in the patriotic race of
1861. The grand parade meant much to the
veterans, but it produced also deep i'm
preston upon the 300,0 900 spectators as the
more than 10000 heroes, some aged and
bent, swung proudly by for seven long
hours.
The Encampment Proper.
A pleasing feature of the march was the
choral tribute by school children of the
ligtrict at ftyo ;pts I'LL
the corner of Third street and the avenue
and 500 white girls at the corner of Fif-
teenth street. All bands ceased playing as
they passed these points, and the children
sang patriotic airs and old army songs
The Iowa department carried in the air
5000 cornstalks, some of them nearly six
inches in diameter, and each man had an
ear of corn strapped to his back.
Night was even more glorious than the
day. Shortly after dark the thousands
who lined the avenue while the parade was
in progress repaired to the vicinity of the
monument. Here the elaborate display of
fireworks provided was made. 1t was a
magnificent show, in some respects I'M
equaled, and was worthy of a place in the
programme of the days events
Succeeding the fireworks display there
was an electric illumination on scale
never before attempted in this country
Pennsylvania avenue, from the Capitol to
Seventeenth street, was ablaze with col
ored lights. Every available dynamo in
the city, public and private, was brought
into requisition.
The national encampment proper was
opened for business at noon today in AL
baugh's Opera house. A thousand dele
gates were in their seats when General
poInar IN, al; toe
order. 1t was only moment before abso-
lutte silence reigned, and then General
Palmer delivered his annual address. He
said:
Commander Palmer's Speech.
CoMRADEs-The national encampment of the
Grand Army Of the Republic brings together
representative soldiers from all over the loyal
land. There is scarcely a battlefield of that
great civil contest but has its representatives
here today. Within its ranks are men of all
political parties and religious creeds. The diff
ferences in rank which the army reflected are
lost in the equalties of free and common citi-
zenship. The denominating thought is patri-
otism. Its principles appeal to patriots of every
name and party. 1t is peculiarly befitting that
we should meet once more in the beautiful
capital city of the nation, where the represent
atives of 6500O,000 freemen gather to enact
our laws, and to look backward over the perils
surmounted and forward to the growing great.
ness of a redeemed land.
These annual gatherings of men who rendered
loyal devoted and patriotic service to their
country in the hour of peril, If they serve no
other purpose, will impress upon the minds of
the rising generation profounder and deeper
sense of the perils through which we passed to
preserve the unity of the nation. We meet
with no desire to boast of our services In the
past We cherish no feelings of anmosity or
revenge against the men of the SOUTH know
speak the sentiments of every true soldier
when wlateyor nride xya hau i,, tba
whatever pride we brought back from the bat
tlefelds, we joyfully laid 1t aside upon one altar
and gladly merged the title of soldier into a
greater one-that of American citizen.
A Protest Against "sneers."
The precepts of this great order appeal To
the patriotism of every man who wore the
Union blue. Every Union soldier should give
it his influence and support and wear at all
times the badge of loyalty, the bronze G. A. X
button. This emblem is a silent protest against
''sneers" at the old veteran; 1t is the honor
mark of the republic. 1t rivets attention to the
fact that men still live who deserve to be re-
membered with whatever belongs to the pros
perity, liberty and renown Of our country.
During my official term have visited twenty
five departments, responded to numerous invi-
tations to reunions and public gatherings, re-
quiring months Of time and labor, travelling
nearly 10000 miles, and my only regret is that
was unable to meet with several departments,
as they met on the same date, and the places Of
meeting were too far apart to reach them in
, time And notwithstanding have given up
nearly the entire year to the work of the order,
feel that my efforts have been but feeble to
serve all my comrades and do justice to the
great office.
During my visit to the department encamp-
ment in Augusta, Ga, met many ex- -Confed.
crate soldiers from whom l received a corda
greeting, and believe that those who were
bravest in the field have greater love of JUS
tice and right than those who remained In the
rear in the hour Of danger, and l was glad to
take by the hand any brave Confederate SOL
dier who accepted the generous terms of the
surrender at Appomattox, and today respects
the flag of the nation as the emblem of re-
united people and reunited country
Memorial Day Memories.
With Memorial Day comes the expression of
a nations gratitude for the brave men who
suffered death that their blood might seal the
unity of the nation. The ceremony of strewino
the early flowers of spring upon the graves Of
the men who laid down their lives for their