The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-09-13
Grand Army OF the Republic.

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 5.--The pres
ence of President Mckinley to-day in
creased the interest in the Grand Army
parade. His ride with Sampson and
captains of the fl ct over the route Of
the parade aroused the greatest enthu-
siasm among The throngs on the streets.
AS the President started up Broad
street great wave of cheering started
that never ceased until the President
had traversed the entire route o! the
parade and back again. Stands along
the route were crowded and the occu
pants would rise en- masse and cheer
the executive. The men of the North
Atlantic squadron also received gen.
efous hand.
AT the Academy of Music this even
ing, the Grand Army was officially wei
coined to the ci y and State.
The President was introduced as Com.
rade" Mckinley. He said:
1.-THE circle is narrowing. AS years roll
on one after another Is not present at our
reunions, but accounted for. But with 1t
all, my comrades, could not but inquire,
as l witnessed the vast procession Of old
veterans and heard the plaudits OF the peo.
pie, could not but ask the question: What
has endeared this vast army to the Ameri-
their hearts? What has given you a per.
manent unperishable place in history
1.-THE answer comes that you saved the
nation. 1t was because you did something,
aye, you sacrificed something. You were
willing to give up your lives for civiliza-
ton and liberty, not for the civilization and
liberty of an hour but Of ages. That has
given you place in the hearts of the Amer
lean people.
Great and good deeds never die and the
Grand Army of the Republic is to be con
graduated tonight that the Union it saved
and the peace it secured at Appomattox
court house more than third of century
ago is stronger, better and dearer to the
American people to-day than ever before in
all our history. We are once more and for.
ever one ,people-one in faith, one in prr-
pose, willing to sacrifice our lives for the
honor of our country and the glory of our
flag"
Later at Il banquet given by George
Meade Post, the President said:
II could not help but reflect as / passed
through the Avenue OF Fame today, what
a volume Of history it's portraits told. The
history of the achievements of the army as
we'll AZ of the navy, made well and clear by
familiar faces; familiar in that great strng-
! gle. Our great commander was there
Ulysses S. Grant, Sherman, Sheridan,
/ Meade, Hancock and Farragut, and while
| old oceans breast bears a white sail they
will be remembered. And not only in thai
| gallery OF heroes are found the great C p.
| tains but the privates OF the old army. He
who has no insignia of the rank but the
/ blue blouse, the men behind the guns oil
the nav, all tell the story OF heroism
greatness and matchess achievement in
which we all glory"
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. THE pen.
sion committee submitted majority
and minority report Corporal Tanner
was OF the majority Of the committee.
He made an address scoring the practice
alleged to have been adopted by the pen
sion bureau. After much heated Discus
sion the reports were referred to the
committee on pensions. Later in the
afternoon motion was made to return
to the South flags captured during the
war This was killed, as was also {
motion to admit Sons of Veterans a,
members of the Grand Army.
The features of the fourth days. cele
bration were the illumination of the
North Atlantic Squadron and the CAM
fire of the Union ex-prisoners of war
both of which occurred tonight.