The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-02-13
TBE GRAND ARMY,
What is Being Done by The Veterans
for the Good of the Order
NO MORE MARCHING.
A Suggestion from Past Chaplain-in-Clliei
BaGerty Regarding raradcs.

A Suggestion from Past Chaplain-in-Clliei
BaGerty Regarding rarades.
Enron NATIONAL TEIBUNE: Attention
Rcbt obliouo! March!" This movement
was sometimes made in the army for 2
purpose, aud, when properly effected, good
results follow, d. 1t may be that the same
movement would be of great use in the Grand
Army OF the Republic. Wisdom must be exer-
esed by those having command at the time,
snd who have the great responsibility to bear.
At each National Encampment since the
organization of the Grand Army. the line OF
march pursued has been several miles in length.
These marches have been participated in by
men who have been to the front, and are now
carrying bullets IN their limbs, or empty sleeves
or-walkine on a wooden leg, as the case may
be. The proudest day of the 500 of each year
is that one on which the old veteran is per-
mittsd to meet his comrades in line, touch
elbows once more as in years of bloody strife
on battleields with Old Glory floating over
them. and keeping step to the music OF the
fife and drum.
The will is there, but in many cases the
mower is wanting. Thousands of comrades 20
hundreds of miles to sit sidewalks or win
dow-si to see the more fortunate boys 90 the
marching. This number is increasing year by
wear. and the comrade is not to blame. Old
Time is ruthlessly blowing the deep burrows
longer and deeper in his forehead as the years
20 by The veteran cannot help it. however
brave or skillful he may be. The wooden legs
never become natural, however long worn
The limb Of the most sprighty youth will in
time become stiffened and refuse to be nimble.
Thousands are being mustered out year by
year, while others resting in the shadows
of the hospital or Soldiers Home.
Officers and men are inquiring, year after
year what can be done TO soften these rough
places and close mp our lines and keep them
solid as long as possible. 1t is this inquiry
that has suggested the movement above cited.
Or, in plain language, 1T is proposed by some
TO make a change in the order of the march,
and let the soldiers sit, and the officers and
citizens march by them while seated in De
partments and Posts as in marching order.
How would il do for the city where the En-
csmpment is held TO erect a sufficient number OF
elevated seats for the occupancy of the soldiers
instead of the citizens? On these seats let all
the Departments be seated with their respective
banners, while the National and Department
officers, mounted, followed by the citizens on
foot in carriage, or mounted, pass
in that case every old comrade would be IN
line as large as life and young rs in the COS
when he went at the call of the drum. In such
q case most people could go through the march
without great Inconvenience. Ofcourse officers |
would not be greatly wearied people coming /
in carriages could very easily and successfully 1
make the trip. Then, by having the line of |
march on a street-csr line, all could from |
the cars
The cost of this would not be very great,
and would grow less every year. Doubtless
cities would be just as willing to make these /
arrangements for the accommodation of the |
Encampment as in the present way.
We do not know that any such movement |
ever will be made, but it does no harm to think |
Of such movements and let them be discussed. |
This change has already had some thought in
the minds of comrades who see the inevitable |
fast approaching. If some comrade has bet 1
ter movement to propose. let him speak Sol |
diers learned TO talk years ago, and they have /
not forgotten yet, as we see whenever Depart
ment or National Encampment is in order
T. II. HAGERTY, Past Chaplain-in-Chief, st.
Louis, Mo.