Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1900-03-07

ing. with but 228 members In the as
sembly. Illinois had something over
twenty posts then and was the only
State organized into department with
department officers. Since then the
army has prospered until every State in
the Union almost has a department,
q large membership and large benefit
revenue. In 1890 the comrades num-
bered over 100000; to-day, less than
ten years later, the army has been re-
duced to but trifle over two-thirds the
hlgh-water 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 We're borne over the
shoulders or leyeled 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 flower-decked mounds was
nearly as great as the total losses from
al causes In the stiffest fight any men,
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 notable excep-
tion-but those who were beardless
youths when they went to the front to
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
fnur animal opeo mnmaptS have hoo,,
held since the organization was born
in Springfield. A round dozen more as
semblies will see the closing of the
records, for the veterans will be all
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 its defense.
In Past Encampments.
But few years ago 1t was no uncom-
mon thing for 100000 boys In blue to
assemble In the city chosen for the an
nual encampment of the Grand Army.
Not all. indeed. held seats in the ma
tlonal body, but where that body met
the comrades have been wont to meet
and fight again the fights of the war.
To-day If half that number-in spite of
the heavy membership In Chicago and
the State-should assemble from all
over the broad land 1t would be nota-
BILE gathering. Age. poverty-few Of
the members are wealthy-and distance
from the scene will prevent many a
man from attending. Yet In every
breast win be the hope, for every We
eran realizes that this may be his Ia
opportunity to meet with his comrades
this side of the grave.