The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-10-10
They SAVED
The NATION
GRAND ARMY VETERANS ASSEM-
BLEED AT WASHINGTON.
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REGRETS SENT BY TEDDY"
President Unable I . Review Tomor-
rows Parade Because Of
Physical Condition.

Washington, Oct. 6.;-The men who
fought for the union in the great con-
flict that ragged from 1861 to 1865 are
the guests OF the capital Of the ma
ton. They came by thousands to par
ticipate in the thirty-sixth encamp-
ment Of the Grand Army of the Re
public, the opening ceremonies Of
which occurred today, and were greet
ed by bright skies, a beautifully deco
rated city and h%ospitable people.
The streets were early the scene
of great activity and on all hands
could be heard the prediction that
the encampment was to be a success
The visitors already are counted by
the tens Of thousands and trains are
arriving hourly with their loads Of
human freight.
The city, with its lavish decora-
tions, never looked more attractive
than today. There is scarcely a build
ing on tie principal streets that is
not f%estooned with the national col
ors and many of the streets are sim
ilarly decorated.
The programme for the day in
cludes an automobile parade, q regat-
ia on the Potomac, the dedication of
Camp Roosevelt, a monster camp fire
at convention hall and a grand dis
play of fireworks tonight.
Many handsomely decorated We
hicles participated in the automobile
parade, which started at Scott Circle
and the line extended for many blocks.
After passing through the principal
streets the procession was reviewed
by a number of officers and invited
guests from the judges stand, near
the white house.
The George w. Cook fife and drum
corps of Denver, numbering 70 mem
bers, enc Of the famous organizations
of it's kind in the country, arrived to-
day. The band, accompanied by its
founder, General George W. Cook.
who was a drummer boy in the civil
war, serenaded President Roosevelt
at the temporary white house. Post
master General Payne and the local
newspaper Offices.
McFarland's Address.
President H. B. Mcfarland, presi-
dent of the board of commissioners
for the District of Columbia, spoke
for the district. He began with the
declaration that Washington is the
national capital only because OF what
was done by the Grand Army of the
Republic, which you represent" and
after paying a tribute to the members
of the G. A.. r. both as soldiers and
citizens, said:
I'VE of the younger generation,
who were born while you We're fight
ing, know war only from that more
recent war for humanity, for free
dom and for opportunity, which, IN
der the direction of President Nc
Kinley, hero, saint and martyr presi-
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dent, was won in fewer days than
you fought months. That smaller war
showed that we still had full vigor,
the noble spirit of your war-that
spirit typified by u present presi-
dent, whose. name this camp is most
appropriately to bear.
I'VE who have come up since the
civil war would learn of you and OF
the statesman and soldier, your COM
rades, who are here in spirit, lessons
which we need for the twentieth cen
tury. We would catch the spirit OF
absolute devotion which gave up ev-
erything for the republic and counted
life not dear. We-would follow the
example Of those who found JOY in
sacrifice and their highest reward IN
the sweet, stern face of their country
as she smiled on them ere they died.
"Ours. is a most difficult task. 1t
is easier to die than to live for our
country, and we need a double meas
ure Of your spirit for the days which
seem SO unheroic and yet demand
such heroism. Fortunately, we have
the example of you veterans, in peace
as we'll as in war. You have shown
for 40 years that you are soldier cit
liens. The victories Of peace are
yours, as well assthe victories OF war.
The high purpose, the self control,
the patient endeavor, the stalwart
courage which r as necessary to
good. citizenship as to good soldier
ship, appear in your present example.
Your remind us that all times are
heroic, because all times are full OF
heroism; and that the unrecognized
and unhonored heroes of every day,
standing in their places and dong
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