The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-09-19
Grand Army National Encampment.

of the Grand Army boys in blue-and
it may be the last one, for the rank and
file are growing too old to stand the long
journeys, preparations and march, -
was held at Pittsburg, Penn, last week
Tuesday. The unsparing hand of time
has noticeab'y thinned the ranks, not
more than 10000 being in line against
the 10000 in Boston only few years
ago. Besides, those who were able to
endure the strain did so with enfeebled
steps. To many, very many, it was the
last time they will ever touch elbows
with their comrades or gaze upon the
tattered folds of cold Glory" And
yet these grizzled veterans are the
young blood of the organization-the
young blood, mere boys, of the days of
1S61-65. Where are the middle-aged
and old of those fearful days, they who
were then erect, stalwart, buoyant men
in the very prime of life? Look in the
cemeteries all over the land and notice
the rapidly increasing number of min
iature flags at the head of the graves.
There they are, where wars alarms will
never again disturb their peaceful sleep.
The climateric of the Grand Army has
been reached and passed. The time
has come when the gain by admission is
far less than the loss by death. In the
Grand Army alone-which by no means
comprises all the old soldiers-the loss
by death in the past year is 1888, and
it is probable the entire loss is not less
than II 600.
But let us look at a brighter picture.
Pittsburg and her sister city, Allegheny,
were reused to the highest pitch of en-
thusasm, which the display of miles of
bunting and the roar of parks of artil-
lery but feebly expressed. Both cities
were packed with people who shouted
themselves hoarse in their welcome to
the veterans. There were hundreds of
picturesque features all along the line
of march. The old flags, torn to shreds,
and handled as tenderly as if they were
infants, never failed 10 bring out a
storm of cheers as they passed. The
same cordial salute was given the dCz
eds of disabled veterans who were I'M
able to march, but who insisted on be-
ing somewhere in the parade, and made
the trip in carriages. Not the least
picturesque feature in the line was the
presence of number of backwoods
or farmers, from different points in
Ohio. Indiana or Michigan, whose faded
homespun suits contrasted queerly with
the natty uniforms worn by nearly all
the eastern men. Senator Gordon of
Georgia, who was second in command
of Lees army when it surrendered at
Appomattox, viewed the parade and
mt many who were in the Union army
when Lee surrendered to Grant. The
meetings were affecting. The senator's
burst of patriotic eloquence in the sem
ate at the time of the great railroad
strike will not soon be forgotten.
The next day was held the national
encampment, and standing room in the
opera house where it was held COM
manded a premium. In the parquet
sat the delegates of the highest leglsla-
tive body of the order, while the three
balconies were packed with veterans of
greater or lesser distinction. The spa
cious auditorium was deliberately and
artistically decorated with flags and tri-
colored bunting, arranged in arches,
streamers and innumerable devices on
the stage, boxes, pillars and balconies,
the effect being heightened by net
work of monster streamers suspended
from the high dome to the supporting
pillars on the main floor. Governor
dttlSOu, III q low iCilSltOuo ICihul hoS
gave welcome in behalf of the state,
and Mayors McKenna and Kennedy in
behalf of Pittsburgh and Allegh' ny.
Appropriate responses were made by
COMMANDMENT. Chief Adams and other
delegates.
Captain Adams then delivered his
annual address, which was quite long
and intensely interesting. Space will
permit of but brief sketches of its sal
lent points. Referring to the rapid de-
crease in membership, he suggested
that posts be consolidated, and that they
be permitted to meet in the several
towns in their vicinity in order to carry
the posts to the comrades rather than
bring them TO the posts. The 6nan-
cial condition is excellent, there being
more money in the treasury than year
ago, and all bills paid. Yet he urged
economy in expenditures. For relief,
S203 ,7S0.10 had been expended. In
terest in the order has not abated, but
grown stronger. Memorial Day was
more generally observed than ever be-
fore. He urged larger expenditure of
money for the observance of the day in
the South. Observance of Washing
toms birthday was general. "While we
are keeping alive the memory of Wash
irgton, the father of his country
might we not in like manner remem-
Der its savior, our martyred president
The great emancipation, Lincoln?" He
paid fitting tribute TO the work of the
Woman's Relief Corps and the Sons of
Veterans. and then discussed at length
matter of vital neutrality-suspicious.
This part of his address, slightly
abridged d, is given below:
"The questions of pensions is of vital in
terest to the comrades of our order. While
we dislike to consider money matters in
connection with our services to the govern
ment, the disabled condition of large mum
Der of our comrades forces it upon us. Al
our last national encampment the gross in
justice to the veterans was brought 10 ouI
attention, and prompt action was taken
The case of Comrade Long, in his suit
against the Department of the Interior, has
been taken up by the Grand Army, which
bears portion OF the cost. Soon after the
assembling of congress the cry of enormous
pension frauds was raised. The president
in hia maasapa stated that ~ thousands Of