St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-03-05
Letter from Washington.
Especial Correspondence

CIarkSon the natlonal Solh'n"''N' ""'
his aids, visited the corps and MADE
most admirable address to the ladies' and
later enjoyed the banquet given by the
army posts of the G. A. R. He stated
that he was now making the annual
round of visits to the posts in the coun-
try and he had just visited the Soldiers
Home in Chelsea Mass, and found it
beautifully located, well looked after and
taken care of by ladies of the state, that
it seemed model OF its kind. He paid a
beautiful tribute to the mothers, sisters,
and friends, who remained at home dur
ing the civil war, bearing the suspense so
patiently and uncomplainingly, waiting
for the closing issue, which he felt re-
quired more heroism than to be engaged
in active combat in the field. Then the
aid, assistance and comfort afforded later
by the women supplemented the work so
grandly that it helped to bring the final
issue to a successful end. Amidst rounds
of applause he was escorted to the hall
of the G. A. X. Upon Wednesday, Feb.
"a, occurred the installation OF the
officers OF the Grand Army and Womans
Relief Corps, at Grand Army hall, amidst
large assemblage OF people,
The meeting was called to order by
John McEroy, the retiring department
commander, who requested the retiring
president of the Womans Relief Corps,
Mrs Annie Johnson, to assume charge OF
the meeting, who stated the object of
the gathering and asked Mrs. |. V. Hen
bricks to take charge OF the installation
exercises. Mrs. Georgia i. Balm was the
president-elect. In her address she re-
ferred to the great increase and growth
of this society from 1873 in 1868 to 140,-
900 in 1897 Mrs. Johnson, the former
president, received a gift OF a lovely jew
eled badge of the order, presented by
Past Commander M. T. Anderson, in the
name OF the Woman's Relief Corps and
comrades of the department Of the Poto-
mac, G. A. X. Next followed the install
lation of the Grand Army OF the district.
Commander McElroy received note OF
thanks for his faithful service in office
and requested the Past Department Com
mander NJ T. Anderson to install the
new officers.
The new commander is Thomas S.
Hopkins, who was member of the 10th
Maine regiment in 1862 and was after
wards wounded at Fredericksburg, then
became chiel in the United States treas
ury and now is a lawyer in the city and
a member of Meade Post of G. A. X. He
stated that during the past four years,
the old Union soldier had been persona
non grata. with the present executive,
next week comrade would be inaugu-
rated president and all would be
changed. His first order was that as
there were now about 5000 members il
good standing, that every one who wa:
able to should be in line to march in thu
procession upon March a. wearing thu
Grand Army SLOUGH hat, dark overcoat
with the badge. He announced the elec
tion of the other officers for the year a
the twenty-ninth annual encampment O
the department OF the Potomac. Afte
songs and addresses the meeting close,
by singing America"
Upon Tuesday, February %, 1000 c
the school children OF the city assemble
in the Opera house to celebrate VAST
5 ingtons birthday, under the charge {
r their teachers. Some Of the High schot
e cadets acted as ushers and the Marin
t band, in scarlet uniforms, played sele
4 tions Of music Addresses were made b
some of the board Of trade, under who:
y supervision the exercises were given, ais
by Gen. N. A. Miles who received rou
ing welcome from all the small children
He said Washington was the best soldie
= the best statesman and the best patrio
e gentle and courteous in civil life. I'll
y various nations of the world, where Sc
J. government is the leading factor, we
lie chiefly the result of Washington and II
d freedom brought to America. Commi
:. sioner Ross followed, ascribing the int
=. est in popular education in this distri
., to the knowledge of Washington's wor
and council and additional appropri
~ tons for the schools had resulted. r
praises of Washington amount to not
ing, he said if our hearts are not fill
with spirit of 10y atty to the principl
d of that constitution which he helped
IL frame. There were exercises of sol
n kind for all OF the pupils in the pub
ck schools this year, under the direction
he the board of trade. The program
It. consisted OF essays, patriotic music a
as flag salutes.
u. Upon Sunday, February 81, The So
of the Revolution and of The Americ
Revolution held services in the N. S. A
ed nue. Presbyterian church in commemo
NJ ton of Washington's birthday at 3.
-, p. m. Music by the Marine band a
, chorus by the choir, Mendelsshor
~ "He watching over Israel" and "Ang