Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1893-09-28
Windsor County veter ans


18Th, il the fprm OF baskei picni
which dill away with some Of the usu
al formalities of former meetings, tai
ing on more the form of a famil
gathering. The grounds are large
pleasant, and in every way suitable fo
such gathering, with the exception &
being so tar from the village as +
necessitate peoples riding; but Their
were plenty of conveyances to tn
grounds, 10 be had for the sum of /.
cents. The threatening skies in ih'
fore part OF the day kept great many
away, who would otherwise have gone
Yet, when we remember that it i
nearly thirty years since these ''mel
in blue" received their discharge, an,
it is said that their lives were shorten
ed ten years consequent upon the ex.
posures aud deprivations of army life
it is no wonder that their number.
grow less and their ability TO attend
these annual gatherings diminishes
each year
The address Of welcome was most
happily given by Captain Davis Of
White River Junction, master of cere-
monies Our platform, he said, was
broad aud comprehensive, and we all
sail under the banner of fraternity,
charity and loyalty. The veterans
find IN these reunions a cementing of
the ties aud friendships formed as they
touched elbows on the field of gore !;
and the memory of those years Of toll,
deprivation and suffering is theirs
and theirs only. "Your commanders,
he said, :" are nearly all gone to join
the grand army above, and few are
left to tell the odd, old story and
have yet to learn of single member
of our glorious order who has ever
brought dishonor upon the old flag he
fought to uphold. In looking over
this assembly, / note that our ranks
are growing thin as well as
our locks, and our step less firm, but
the same heart thrills with the same
emotion and is as buoyant as when we
scaled the heights OF Fredericksburg
in 90, and we are willing, should oc-
casion demand, to do so again"
Alter music by the Woodstock band,
Rev. Thomas McKinstry Of Grove
land, Mass, offered very earnest
prayer.
Captain Davis then said that the
principal speaker, Hon. Hugh Henry,
was not able to be present and intro
duced Rev. Elihu Snow, a member OF
the 1loth New York, who gave "a
most interesting address, which was
closely listened to, and the speaker was
frequently applauded. sour govern
ment," he said, .'found her only safety
in just such representative men as we
greet here to-day; that government
which cur statesmen said should not
be discovered, and it was for this rea-
son that you answered the call OF your
country when the guns of Sumter
sounded the tocsin, To Arms. You
all did honor to the name, Sons of YER
mont. 1t is pleasant to get together
and recall the "reminiscences of army
march and bivouac. Your
deeds of bravery and suffering are
written with your bayonets, dipped
oftentimes in your life's blood, and you
gave to your country the blessings
which follow. And a. a matter of
Justice, this government should see no
veteran in want. Right here, i must
speak of the methods being taken to
deprive you of your support, and in
ioing so, | desire TO rise above all po-
itical or party utilization, asking no
avor only from the Father of Light.
The time has come when we must
tand shoulder TO shoulder to see that
'ur blood bought rights are defended.
The one who occupies the position of
ecreiary of the interior-Hoke Smith,
e is called-is trying TO defeat you
rom your hard earnings but, gentle
zen, a country like this Will never
ubmit to it. 1.-The mills OF the gods
rind Slow" but sure. Your rights
hall and must be maintained, a id
on shall be rewarded-you who new
r finched or quailed when death
Jared you ia the face. You are de-
Jared recipients OF a generous govern
lent by act of Congress. and no sec
stary of the interior can annul that
let. The country, as one man, viii
ONE to your defense; it will not
ubmit TO it. | am speaking Tor no
arty, but for principles and justice.
comrades, wait We read, Ven
eance is mine, viii repay, saith the
ord.
In closing, Mr.. Snow paid deserv-
compliment TO the undaunted VIII
am McKinley-the next president Of
lie United Staies-which was receive
with loud and prolonged cheering.