The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1907-09-12
But 5000 Veterans Able to
Brave Rigor Of Day at
SARATOGA ENCAMPMENT
Drums So Wet That Beat Is stilled, Yet
the G. A. R. Veterans Parade, Only
the Most Inhrm Foregoing
Marching.

Saratoga, N, r, Sept. l2.--The Grand
Army Of the Republic held its parade
yesterday-its forty frst-in memory OF
the bitter days Of war. Ten thousand
linping, gray.haired veterans, remnant
Of the once bouyant, victorious army
whose scores OF thousands passed in the
national capital when the war was over
braved q driving storm to march once
more beneath their battle flags. As un,
mindful Of the stress Of storm as in
the days OF '6l, when youth and vigor
and love Of the flag knew no physical
bounds, these dwindling thousands pass.
ed once more in review, for d carefully
measured mile of village streets. dis
tance snited to their gathering years.
Thousands with uncovered heads and
tear-dimmed eyes, watched the fatering
lines bearing the old banners with I'M
steady hands.
While scores Of the paraders dropped
ont of the line when the rain began to
fall, the ranks held their line aud braved
the elements. II poured steadily az they
marched, but they Kept OH. There were
few who held sheltering umbrellas; but
it seemed to matter little to those who
did not.
For an hour and more the brave old
fellows plodded on, between lines Of
cheering people, keeping step to the mu-
sic Of the bands which again and again,
right cheerily, played How Dry / am, ?
and Wait Till the Sun Shines, Nellie .
and we Won't Go Home Until Morn
ing.'
Meantime Governor Charles + Hughes,
his military staff, the national officers
Of the Grand Army and prominent vis-
itors stood on the reviewing stand illy
sheltered from the driving storm, be-
meath Of flimsy covering Of cloth through
which the rain swept unchecked
The parade lasted an hour and when
the last faltering rank had passed in
review. the rain ceased, the skies cleared
and the sun broke forth. The dripping
but undaunted old soldiers found their
ways to lodging places, well satisfied
with the demonstration they bad made
Of their pluck.
II was not cheerful day, nor good
one for men burdeued with wears, but it
was day to lend force 20 the argu.
ments Of those who seek TO have these
annual parades done away with,
II have never seen anything so in
spring or so pathetic" said Governor
Hughes when the review was over.
when the serious consequences Of
that march through the rain TO many Of
the old veterans are considered, it IS a
revelation OF the courage and determine
tion Of the American people seldom seen.
It should serve as an inspiration and an
encouragement 70 us all. It was splen.
did magnificent"
IN his annual address az the G. A. r.
cncampment today, Commander Brown
paid a tribute to President Roosevelt,
declaring he was the friend OF the Grand
Army. He urged the establishment of
permanent investment fund for the
organization and declared no veteran
should be suspended from his post for
inability to pay dues. Secretary
0'Neall's report stated 5000 members
had died this year. a decrease from last,
DR.. w. Fl. Johnson, surgeon general,
recommended the establishment Of q
government hospital for insane soldiers,
Warren w Goss, patriotic instructor,
UIStN tht tlFbuNtlfoN ui t1iIthIg AH"
stUetion in the public schools.
Former County Judge CharlesfG Bur
ton of Nevada, No, viii undoubtedly
be elected commander in-chief.
Toledo, Ohio, seems most likely to be
the next meeting place.
Resolutions viii probably be intro
duoad that the pensions Of veterans
be increased to sl2 per month; that
Congress should appeal the anti-canteen
law, and that the formation Of branches
Of the Patriotic Ancients and Honor
ables" a society created for non-yet-
Grams desire to perpetuate the prin-
ciples and work Of the Grand Army
when its members shall have died, be
authorized
Last night Memorial Post Of Glove
land, Ohio, gave an illustration muster
in' service in Convepton hall.
The encaupment win conclude late
today or Friday The last open meet
ing Of the week win be national camp.
FIRE and muster tonight in Convention
hall.