Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1908-10-08

cause he desired to use them himself as
6eid cnuriers Of the commander-in-chief
and preferred that they should not be
subject to those in lesser degree Of mill
tary authority than himself.
The name OF Lincoln becomes more aud
more sacred in the minds OF Americans as
the years 60 by. and his personality is
more and more precious in the memory OF
the rapidly sisssening number OF those
who we're 20 fortunate Is to know him,
particularly during the years Of his great
est burden. when the life Of this nation
was largely dependent upon bis wisdom
and guidance. To love, honor and rever-
ence him, as multitudes OF grateful men
and women now do, Is q privilege indeed.
But 1t is not amiss to remember that
there was time when he was the subject
of severest criticism; his acts condemned
and his motives reviled, adding greatly
and most unjustly to the cares and ankle
ties inaeparabl from his exalted position.
From this fearful strain hesoaght relief
in the humorous anecdotes 80 associated
with his name and with which the I'M
bending mind OF his secretary of war,
Mr. Stanton, had small patience.
After the battle of DrainsvilIe, telegraph
reports stated that q certain number of
men and 80 Colt revoIvers had been cap
tured. Mr.. Lincoln told the messenger
boy be would like to have him find out
how soon those Colt revolvers would
grow up horse pistols. When Wash
ington was in danger the president
went out for personal investigation and
on his return made little sketch OF what
had happened. sand that sketch is now
in Colonel Chambers possession. From
the worry OF such a moment Lincoln
could turn with relish to the story OF q
patent back-action hen-rersuader that
let the eggs drop out of sight of biddy
and kept her laying indefinitely. or Of the
hen-waik, a movable brace attached to
the fowls leg that permitted her to 60
forward all right but prevented her
scratching hack and made her tour of q
neighbours garden perfectly harmless. In
the hour of the country's peril, Mr..
Stanton had no use for such nonsense IS
that.
A duet by Rev. and Mrs. Grosvenor
preceded brief address BY DR.. F. c. An
gell, who had thought to tell the old sol
diers they we're all heroes, but Z better
term came to his mind, one that means
much more than hero, true citizen. That
term applies in the truest sense to the
Grand Army man. There were certain
/ qualifications that make the good sol
der. among them the principles OF loyal
/ ty and patriotism. / have endeavored in
my thoughts, said the doctor, to place
myself in the days gone BY. when these
men Of an older generation were expert.
encing trying things, and have tried tc
imagine the feelings that were in theil
hearts at the beginning Of the war
when the call came for them to go forth
and fight the battles OF their country
there was with the first soldiers g good
deal OF excitement, but other calls came
and other men went out, and the best in
these men is best expressed as true citi
zenship.
In a sense it matters not Of what coan.
try a man is q citizen, for he may be &
good and true citizen OF an undeservinn
country, but it is easier to be true citi
zen Of a country like ours, which none
excel and few equal. There are q few
things in the history Of this country il il
well to think about. It has certain IN.
DERIVING principles. For q certain prin.
ciple the Puritan fathers came here and
established themselves upon these shores
For another principle the founders of the
nation came together and declared that
these colonies are and Of a right ought tc
BE-. free. That the principle OF freedom
and unity might prevail the great Civil
] war was fought. and coming down to oul
own times we find the unparalleled re.
cord OF q nation going to war for suffer
ing humanity outside her borders.
Integrity must be possessed by the
good soldier; be must be honest with
himself and his neighbor, honest with his
Il 49, -
graft. He must have the courage to dc
that which in his best judgment be be
heves to be right; the courage to stand
for what is best for mankind in general.
He must be persevering, unwilling to stor
when he is going in the right direction.
These qualifications in national and per.
sonal character are underlying principles
of true citizenship, and rightly applied
will achieve much.
L b. johnson was next called upon
and spoke briefly after this tenor:-Ths
men who took part in the Civil war can
well feel a thrill of pride in the events oil
that remarkable strife; and with another
say. "These things / saw, and a great
part of these / vas" There goes out
from US to them q spirit OF veneration.
Familiarity does not. always breed con.
tempt, but of course we grow familiar
with scenes and people about us, and We
have with rs so many Of the veterans that
we do not esteem them as our children
will. to whom an old soldier will be Z
marked figure.
It is q matter Of pride to us that w
have in Randolph 9 man who knew Mr.
Lincoln as we'll as Colonel Chandler did,
and there is another man here, G. w
Proper, who was in Ford's theatre when
Lincoln was assassinated and was the sec
ond person to leap upon the stage In an
effort to assiststhe wounded president.
II is doubtful II the veteran would b.
willing to exchange the experiences Of
the war to regain the arm or leg lost in
the service of his country. We hope fol
no more wars; We need no more wars,
but IL the occasion should ever arise there
will not be wanting men Of the spirit and
fibre OF the men Of '61. The Civil wal
was one of the great wars of history
great in its scope. Think of trying to
conquer = country extending over such 9