Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-10-09

get the faces which never had n chance to
grow old-the brave young warriors who
fell in battle and gained the prize of i'm
mortal youth? For them there Is no
shadow of struggle or poverty; no trouble
OF gray hairs or falling strength; no care
Of the present nor fear of the future
The unfading light of morning IL forever
In their eyes; the blessing of a grateful
nation hallows their names. We salute
them with loving tears. from which the
bitterness Is gone We hear their young
voices in the clear notes of the buge and
the m'rmur of the futtering flags. Our
answering hearts cry, Hail and farewell
young comrades. till we meet again."
Our fathers ordained that in this Repub-
lie there should be no distinctions; but
human nature is stronger than laws, and
nothing can prevent this people from
showing honor to all who have deserved
well of the country. Every man who has
| borne arms with credit has earned and is
sure to receive a special measure of re-
gard. And 1t Is our peculiar privilege to
remember that our armies and navies.
| regular and volunteer have always been
worthy of esteem In distant generations.
under different flags In conflicts great and
snail. by land and by sea, they have al
ways borne their part nobly The men
who fought at Lousburg beneath the
meteor flag of England the men who
stood with Washington at Yorktown; with
Lincoln in the Black Hawk War, with
Crockett at the Alamo; with Taylor Mt
Buena Vista; with Grant at Ncksburr;
and with Lee at AppomattoX were of the
stun of which not only soldiers, but citi-
zers, are made. And In our own time the
young men who stormed the hill of San
Juan, and have borne our flag with such
honor to the forbidden city of Pekin and
the jungles of Luzon, have shown that
their progenitors bred true. The men CT
to-day are good Americans as the men
Of yesterday, and the men of tomorrow,
with Gods blessing, will be the same.
The dominant characteristic Of every
American army that has ever stepped to
the trap of drum has been valor and
humanity. They have-n the long run
carried nothing but good to any land they
have occupied. AS our comrade Mckin~
lley-of blessed memory-said: THE faE
has never noated over any region but in
benediction.'
BY order of the President of the Unite!
States, these historic grounds, the prop
erty of the nation. are during this en-
campment dedicated to your use. They
will receive from your presence an added
sacredness and value. In the history Of
the Goth century which is opening with
such brilliant promise not the least
luminous page will treat of this meeting
of the Grand Army of the Repuhlic-sol-
diers and citizens whom the Republic de e
lights to honor.
When the checrs which succeeded Mr..
HAYS speech had subsidized Gen. Eli Tor
rance, commander in-chief of the Grand
Army spoke warmly in appreciation OF
the reception given himself and his com
radcs. Referring to the fact that the ex-
soldiers Of 1861 mad disappointed the pre-
dictions of European pubicists that they
would be a menace to the peace OF the
country he declared that there never
had been the least danger, I'VE were
good soldiers because we had been good
citizens" he said. I'VE had been made
good citizens at our own firesides, and
there never has been the least reason TO
apprehend harm to our national institu-
tons because Of our soldiery,"
Secretary Moody spoke for Secretary
Root and brief addresses were made also
by Governor Bliss of Michigan and r. F.
Bingham. commander of the Department
; of the Potomac
THE GREAT CAMPFIRE.
Washington. Oct 6-Five thousand
veterans and their friends tonight
gathered in convention hall and par
ticipated in the campfire of the S7th en-
campment Of the G. A. r. The cere-
monies were opened by medley of pa
triotic airs played by the United States
Marine band, followed by songs
speeches and music. Each person enter
, ing the hall was presented with a small
American flag and these were constantly
, waved by the thousands within tbs
., building when some old wartime melody
was played or some striking utteranc(
delivered.
, The principal address of the evening
, was by Cen ELI Torrance. commander
Q in-chief of the G.. A. r.
1--WE are the custodans," he said, "o
trust that Is of imperishable value
, This government has character which
is measured by the character Of its cit