Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-10-09
Great Attendance of G. A. R. at
the Annual Encampment in
Washington.
ADDRESS BY SECRETARY HAY
Welcomes tho Veterans to WASH
ineton-Speaks OF Their Value as
Citizens after the War Inter-
esting Procession OF Red Men.

Citizens after the War Inter-
esting Proc ession Of Red Men.
Washington, Oct 6.-The ceremonies
incident to the beginning of the 36th
encampment of the G. A. r., which COM
menced here to-day, were varied IN
character and mostly only semi-ofiicial.
Tho only formal proceedings of the day
was the dedication of Camp Roosevelt,
the tent city on the White House
grounds, which will be the headquarters
of the several corps organizations dur
ing the week. The ceremonies there con-
sisted of number Of addresses by men
OF national reputation, the chief speech
being delivered by Secretary Hay. For
the rest, the old soldiers busted them
selves largely in renewing the acquaint-
ances of forty years ago.
The events of the day outside Of the
dedication ceremonies at Camp Roosevelt
included a fine regatta on the Potomac,
an attractive automobile parade, an in
teresting procession by Red Men Of this
city and neighboring cities, and camp
fires in the evening. Commander in Chief
Torrance and his staff kept open house
all day at the Ebbitt House ard rncviv
ed many hundreds of callers.
Many train loads of people have ar
rived during the day, and it is now
quite certain that the anticipations of
an exceptionally large attendance will be
realized.
The dedication ceremonies at Camp
Roosevelt were presided over by the
Hon. Il. II. Warner. chairman of the
citizens committee of the District of
Columbia, and We're largely attended by
the veterans and by citizens of Wash
lngton, including both ladies and gentle
mon. The ceremonies took place on an
improvisod platform protected from the
glare of the evening sun by an immense
national flag spread across the western
side of it. on this stand beside Mr.. War
ner sat the Immediate participants in
the ceremony. Col. John McElroy, chair
man of the reunion committee, call
ca the meeting to order and summoned
Mr. Warner to the stand After brief
invocations by the Rev. w. G. Davcn-
port the Hon. Henry p. f. MacFarland
one Of the district commissioners OK
tended a welcome to the grand army
men.
The Hon. John Hay, secretary Of state
spoke for the President. He was warmly
applauded. MIR. hay read his speech
from manuscript. His address was as
| follows:
SECRETARY HAYS ADDRESS.
Comrades Of the Great Army:
In the name of the President and in hi.
stead, l bid you welcome to Washington
need not say that on every inch of Am
erican soil. wherever that starry banner
waves. YOU are at home. and need M
| formal words OF welcome But especial,
IN this capital city of the Republic vol
fought to preserve. you are the children
of the house; the doors are always opel
to YOU Wherever you turn. You are re
minded of tho history of which YOU ar,
n part From the windows Of that Whit,
/ House tho eyes of many comrades hav,
looked upon this field whose names be
long to the agcs-Lipcoln, Grant, Hayes
Garfield, Mckinley. and Roosevelt II
the beautiful squares other comrades sal
ute you from the bronze horses Of tn,
monument where your love and loyalt,
have placed them. Across the wirdin:
river, the heights of Arlington show tn
white tents OF Fames's eternal campini
ground. where your friends and brother
repose. And. casting It's gigantic shadow
over this bivouac of yours the unequalc,
obelisk of Washington towers to thu
clouds-the loftiest structure ever reare,
by man in memory of the Hottest char
actcr in human history.
A peculiar interest attends this gather
ing. Never again shall all of us meet il
a camp like this. Not often shall tn
memories of the past, and our vows o
eternal devotion to the cause to which Il
those distant days we swore allegiance
Thirty seven years have passed since som
of us. wearing Grape on our arms AM
mourning in our hearts for Abraham Lin
coin, saw the great army which he love
pass before the White House in the gran,
review. Many of you marched in thos
dusty columns. keeping step to the rhythm
Of drums and trumpets which had sounde
-
ners blew gaily out-what was left o
them: they were stained with the weathC
of lorg marches: they We're splendid /,
the rags and tatters of glorious victories
There was not much of pomp or stat
about that solemn march But the me
IN the street that day-many of whom
have the honor of seeing before me--af
foroed theii own country. and the rest O
the world, lesson which shall never h
forgotten, though Its tremendous impor
was not Immediately perceived. In fac
many differences were drawn at the mo
ment which the lapse of n few month
found altogether false. One trained ot
server of events in the old world said
These splendid fellows will give 20
trouble 1t is too line force to be dis
banded easily" He reasoned from tn
presidents of the past, unaware that W
We're making new precedents. Since the
the world has learned the lesson Of tina
hour The normal condition of the Re
public is peace, but not the nerveles
peace OF helpessness, We do not nee
the overgrown ornaments of Europe. GU
admLable regular force. with it's perfec
drill and discipline, though by far tn
smallest in the world in proportion
population, is sufficient for our ordinar
wants; but when the occasion calls, whe
the vital interests or the honor OF tn
country are threatened, when the natior
al conscience Is aroused, an army wi
spring from the soil. vast, so docil'
so intelligent, SO formidable that 1t nee
not fear to try conclusions with any arm
on tho face of the earth.
But that was only half the lesson III
other half was equally important-tha
when that citizen army has done its worl
It makes no claim, 1t cxacts no condition
of dsbandment but melts away into tn
vaster body OF the nation, MS the foam
crested sunit wave melts back into III
profound depths of the ocean. The gres
host of 1885 ceased to exist as an arme
force; but In every town and hamlet
the land 1t lived as part of the bod
political nucleus everywhere of couras
patriotism and sclf-sacrifce, This was
new product the Republic might proud
: show to the world, saying, These
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