The Washington times., 1907-09-09
Change Will Be Striking
ly Shown in
Parade.
Campfires viii Be Light
ed Tonight and Stories
RetOId.
By MRS. John A. LOGAN.

first national encampmenJ OF the Grand
Army OF the Republic practically opens
here today, though the first formal
meeting on the program is set for to-
morrow. For the forty-frst time. since
the end OF the terrible strife between the
North and South, the remnant of the
great army Of the North Is gathered 10
greet each other fan the smoldering
embers Of memory 10 the flame Of remi-
niscence. and clasp hands, many Of
them for the last time.
As every train enters the city. and its
blue-clothed passengers alight and form
for march 20 quarters, the realization
is borne home TO the younger people
that in a few years there will be no
more national enCampments of civil war
veterans. no more camp fires, no more
white-haired, feeble men rallying around
battered banners they followed through
halls Of shot and shell.
The survivors Of the civil war are
fast becoming fewer. The mantle OF
age wraps all OF them. The weight Of
wears is dropping their shoulders, and
the effects OF old wounds and hard cam
paigns is halting their steps. The thin
lines of veterans. as they marched from
their trains TO headquarters were In
pathetic contrast 10 the old days.
when there was determination. courage
and vigor In every step. Only the spirit
Is the same-for that can never change.
The fash Of the eyes and unconscious
response TO the old battle marches is
Just the same.
Striking Change This Year.
-. .As- -...aly Mill
De much like all those Of the past
There viii be the general reunion
shouts Of gladness and satisfaction as
the veterans catch sight OF familiar
faces. The same old Jokes, dear be-
cause they are so familiar and Of long
standing. viii be heard. The stirring
speeches with new twists IN them, but
the same power and stirring patriotism,
viii be made. There will be one strik-
ing change. however. That viii be no
ticed in the grand parade on Wednesday
afternoon.
While there VIII be a great many
veterans in line, the ranks viii be thin
in comparison to the annual professions
few years ago. Most Of the veterans
were Of the one age when they enlisted,
/ consequently old age finds them all at
reflective sight. the parade OF the re-
united Grand Army men.
TIE celebration will begin this even
| ing. The greater part Of the day Is
being devoted 10 greeting incoming
| posts. and a number OF posts will arrive
tomorrow. But this evening the camp
| fires will be lighted. These veterans OF
today. who we're beaTdless boys Of 1851,
viii tell over again how, when the rever-
! bera tiOns Of threatening sounds werc
& h- HHr h1T -1E4F Ia
J and city north Of Mason and Dixon s
| line boys and men. prompted only 10y
! true patriotism, dropped the plow lines,
/ industrial pursuits, shut of bellows and
/ engines. left the pulpit rostrum and
/ bar, and rushed to the oc'ense Of the
! emblem OF liberty.
Viii ReheaTse Experiences.
They will tell again their experiences
! in the camp and on the long marches
/ over roads Of burning sands and cordu-
roy. through swamps and up rugged
mountains to meet the enemies of the
/ Union IN bloody conflict They will tell,
/ how. because II was American against
American. victory ofttimes wavered
back and forth. The CORY fields, upturn-
ed faces Of comrades who fell fighting.
prison pens, depleted camps, field and
post hospitals-all will be viyidly
| brought back by reminiscence.
| Though more than forty years have
| passed since the last victory was won,
! tears of remembrance VIII moistsu tbs
/ eyes Of the veterans who are gathered
4 here TO commemorate the heroic sacri-
| fee Of the living and dead which made
| this Union one and indissOluble.
| In these days of universal peace all
| over our land and the earnest loyalty
| Of the people North, South, East, West
Il and the joint pride in the glorious
/ achievements Of our reunited country
/ the nation cannot forget that but for
/ these veterans and the brave legions OF
/ their comrades who have gone be-
/ FORE there would be no United States
/ leading the whole world in humanity
/ liberty, and civilization. It is fitting,
/ therefore. that while a single comrade
! of the Grau6 Army remains, they should
/ meet to impress upon the minds Of the
! generation now guiding the affairs OF
1 the American republic the true prin-
/ ciples of patriotism.
| American brotherhood is firmly re-
| established. The people Of the North
| anu South clasp hands across what once
/ was a chasm and are united in the
I glorious work Of bringing all mankind
/ into one common brotherhood. And
mono will be more ready to still help tc
! bear the burden and make sacrifices in
/ this holy cause than the men who are
/ in reunion here today.