Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1900-02-22

Il. +. STEPHENSON.
ing. with but 22S members In the as
sembly. Illinois had something over
twenty posts then and was the only
State organized into a department with
department officers Since then the
army has prospered until every State in
the Union almost has a department,
a large membership and large benefit
revenue. In 1890 the comrades num-
bered over 100000; today. less than
ten years later. the army has been re-
duced to but trife over two-thirds the
hlgh-wate mark.
Line of March Shortened.
Year after year the line Of march in
all parades has been shortened. that the
faltering veterans may not be over
fatigued. Even when civic pride de-
mands the old long lines the men with
the blue blouses and bronze buttons
pass the reviewing officer and then,
again dropping their military forma-
ton, fall out of the line and mingle with
the people who assemble to see the pa
geant. Stopped shoulders bent under
the burden Of years have replaced the
erect body, and slow, hating steps have
replaced the jaunty stride of the war
days. The old men clinging fondly to
the trinity of the order, charity, frater-
nifty and loyalty. turn out Indeed, but
the long marches of forty years ago are
beyond their strength.
Steadily each year the percentage Of
loss by death is rising until to-day 1t is
almost as high as 1t was in the days
when muskets were borne over the
shoulders or leveled in fight Nine
years ago the high tide of the army
was reached. Even then the losses by
reason of the falling out of stragglers
whose memories alone remain was
heavy, as heavy as the average loss by
death In any great battle. Last year
the decrease in membership and the in
crease in fower-decked mounds was
nearly as great as the total losses from
all causes in the stiffest fight any mem
Der ever participated in.
But few years remain of earth to
the men who fought the good battle to
preserve the Union. None lives now
with here and there a notable excep-
tion-but those who were beardless
youths when they went to the front "a
throttle the most serious rebellion the
world ever saw or ever will see The
men who In 1861 wore boards and had
the tread OF mature manhood have gone
before TO blaze the way to the haven
of eternal rest for their juniors Thirty
four annual encampments have beer
held since the organization was born
in Springfield. A round dozen more as
semblies will see the closing of tho
records, for the veterans Will be al
gone and posterity will have but the
recollection of what they did and how
in all the years since the close Of the
strife they have kept alive the loyalty
to the flag which sent them out to face
death in It's defense.
In Past Encamprents.
But few years ago II was no uncom
mon thing for 100000 boys in blue L
assemble In the city chosen for the an
nual encampment of the Grand Army
Not all, indeed. held seats In the ma
tiona body. but where that body me
tue comrades nave Decu WOHl 10 ulee
and fight again the fights OF the war
To-day If half that number-in spite o
the heavy membership in Chicago an
the State-should assemble from al
over the broad land Il would be n nota
bic gathering. Age. poverty--few o
the members are wealthy-and distanc
from the scene will prevent many
man from attending. Yet in ever
breast will be the hope. for every vel
eran realizes that this may be his las
opportunity TO meet with his comrade
this side of the grave.
Thirty-seven years ago. while at tn
front fighting for the Union. the idea o
an associat ion OF volunteers after thei
military duties had closed was born ]
the mind of son of Illinois Dr. Ber
jamin Franklin Stephenson. surgeon O
the Fourteenth Illinois Infantry. an
native OF the State. was the man VIII
first thought out the scheme which ha
worked so grandly. With him as ter
mate and Intimate friend was Chaplal
w. J. Rutledge. In the quiet hours G
the night after taps" had been sounde
these comrades often talked Of the HOP
OF organizing the Grand Army. A
early as the spring of 1852 Mr.. Ru