The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1897-09-01

head When the line of the great pro-
cession moved at half past ten O'Clock
the sun was shining and the sky had
not cloud. The threatening condi-
tions Of the early morning had all pass.
ed and the rainstorm of the night left
as its legacy a clear bracing air that
was like tonic to the marching men.
Through streets packed with one of the
most loyal American crowds that ever
assembled to do honor to the nations
heroes, the procession moved for five
hours aud forty-two minutes.
Under a gigantic arch of welcome,
fashioned as monogram G.. A. R., I'M
der massive triumphal arch resemb-
ling polished granite and under an arch
radiant with bunting, erected by the
colored people, the soldiers marched to
the living shield composed of 1000
children from the schools OF Buffalo,
who sang national anthems as the pro-
cession wheeled before it and moved
on to the reviewing stand. Along the
route of march one hundred girls dress
ed in the colors of the flag, scattered
flowers in the path of the soldiers.
President Mckinley rode in car
riage at the head of the procession and
waved his hat to the cheering, applaud
ing crowd. AT the reviewing stand he
took his position with Commander-in-
Chief Clarkson and Gov. Black, and
the headquarters staff passed in review.
OF all the throngs viewing the pro-
cession, no one person was more en-
thusisstic, more generous in treatment
or more affected by the sight than
President Mckinley. For six long
hours, with his hand on his hat, con-
tinually uncovering to the national COL
ors or the salute of the veterans, the
president watched the array of proud
veterans march by. 1t was certainly
column to inspire admiration. Such
men as Secretary of War Alger, Gen.
Lew Wallace and Gen. John Palmer
walked side by side with the negro or
the decrepit pensioner whom they had
to assist. When the review was over
the president, tired though he was, ex-
pressed no regret but only pleasure.
After his return to the hotel Presi
dent Mckinley said: Even to vet
eran the sight was most surprising as
we'll as inspiring one. 1t is too bad
that every child in the country could
not see it, for it would surely inspire
patriotism and inculcate all the good
qualities that go to make up the Ameri-
can citizen. had never supposed un-
til to. day that 80 many brave survivors
of the war were capable of following
martial music through city streets.
Such display of patriotic courage can
not fail to be of benefit to the entire
country"
The election of commander.in-
chief was the principal event of Thurs
day. Isaac Mack of Sandusky, o., was
nominated by Delegate Brown of o.
j. p. S. Goblin of Lebanon, Pa, was
nominated by Delegate Stewart of
Pennsylvania, George II. Innis of Bos-
ton by Delegate Wetherbee of Massa-
chusetts, and John G.. Linehan of New
Hampshire by Delegate Cogswell of
New Hampshire. Mr.. Wetherbee later
withdrew the name of Mr.. Innis. The
first ballot resulted as follows: Mack
253, Linehan ISL, Goblin 296-no choice.
The vote on the second ballot was
never announced officially, but as cast
it stood as follows: Mack 249, Linehan
1913, Goblin 1858. Before the result
could be given by the tellers, the ten
Missouri votes that had been cast for
Mack were withdrawn and ordered
changed 10 Goblin, who had received
the other twelve of the twenty-five
votes belonging to the state. This
gave Goblin 1868 votes and enough to
elect. Illinois and other states began
to order their votes changed, but while
this was in progress R. B. Brown of
Ohio, who nominated Mr.. Mack, asked
unanimous consent that the adjutant-
general be instructed to cast the vote
of the encampment for Mr.. Goblin,
making his election unanimous. 1t was
voted to hold the next encampment at
Cincinnati.
The President of the United States
was refused admission to the Grand
Army Camp on Thursday. The Incl
dent proved one of great modification
to the Grand Army leaders and excited
great indignation among the members
of the local committee. To the presi-
dent at first it was trihe annoying,
but few minutes after the episode he
was having hearty laugh over it and
excusing the official who refused him
entry by saying that the man was per-
fectly right to obey orders, no matter
who the person was who demanded ad-
mission. The camp was just across the
street from the hotel where the presi-
dent stayed and the coachman was or
dered to drive over. AT the gate the
horses head was grazed by uniformed
orderly from an Illinois post. One OF
the local committee jumped out of the
carriage and said: "Dont you know
that this is the President of the United
States?" The man answered quickly
81 have my orders and l don't care
who it is. He can't come in here in {
carriage" Some Grand Army officers
stood near by and were appealed to BY
the committee but just then the presi
dent said: 1--WE won't attempt to force
the line. Have the man drive on,
and the carriage bowled to the railroad
station.
The Indispensable character of man,
of the mighty modern engines of wa