The Washington times., 1915-09-29
BY GEN. NELSON A. MILES,
Grand Marshal Of Today's Parade.

ago. Its populace and visitors joined with the Nations
Executive in reviewing the battered blue baaons Of the
Grand Army Of the Repubcal that is left Of the stawart
esons, 100000 strong who marched with youths Arm step
before the White House in review with Sherman Meade
Sheridan and Hancock at the close Of the that called the
army into being
Celebrated in the most beautiful capital among the
people Of the strongest most prosperous republic in the
world the ffet annual grand review Of the Grand Army OF
the Republic epomized and symbozed the spirit Of
naonuny; and mighty influence all humanity through
unborn ages.
There in the vanguard Of this body, unique and filled
with the Of tragedy and romance marched the
nants Of Logans men-the troops from Illinois. John A.
Logan is dead, but it be his shadow stding be-
side them?
FEW OLD LEADERS ARE LEFT.
Few of the handful Of old leaders who left from the
days of 81 and 65 passed here today. Wilson, Of Delaware
Dodge of Iowa Brooks of Pennsylvania and Pennypacker
and Sheridan; Osterhaus, Of Illinois, Andrews of Mime
soa Connor of Maine and Louis Grant, who fought with
Andrews Gregg that grand old Pennsylvania cavaman;
Hardin of Chicago Nckerson Of Somervile; Paine, of
Massachusetts,; Pierce of Michigan; Seward Of Albany;
Medford, of Oregon-al still living, but not all here.
Their boys trooped by, though, rigid the dragging
chains of time permitted and with them in fancy anyhow if
not in fact, their generals went marching on before
Fifteenth in line marched what remains of the who
fought with George H. Thomas at Nashville THE Rock Of
Chcamauge, called him. THE Noblest Roman Of Them
ALL" In Swintons history you'll read that his armys Nash.
vile campaign plan turned vanqushmen into victory for
A naval banner streaming free the stumbling
ranks brought back the memory OF John Ericsson He
here but that small group which flew the ribboned ensign
we'll could tell you all about him. how he dreamed the Mon-
tor heard scoed at how Lincoln overrued the navy
and ordered him build the armored Ship and how last
it saved the Union craft the Merrimac moving down.
and revolutionized all naval warfare.
Far down the line the boys from Delaware and
still among them their gallant general James H. Wilson,
leader of of the largest commands during the civil
rendered n with
Spain.
Then there the Pennsylvania boys once led by the
youthful general George A. Pennypacker, who still, alive
carries in his person two Confederate bullets.
In this parade of the Grand Army of the Republic de.
eaying through time though it is there lie the lines of
wonderful story story which few of in this day Of
rush and hustle have time to pause and contemplate.
WAS AN ARMY OF BOYS.
The Grand Army Of the Republic the outgrowth Of
circumstances and necessity Political problems Of genera
tons standing developed into hostes The prayer
people all sections that the cup Of bitterness might
pass to be- and the flower of manhood in all
sections resored to Such amy-the remnant Of
which here today-never was and probably never
again will be- recruited million boys eighteen under,
and million twentyone under answered the call
the colos The great bulk OF the army composed Of
men under twenty-five
The theater of war extended from the Potomac to the
Rio Gande Through much fighting there many drawn
battles though few decisive engagements Altogether
b
that continued until the South the verge of bank
ruptcy At the close of this Of Americans against Amer
there universal rejoicing in every of the
try though gloom and overshadowed many hearts
homes.
The terrible fierce animosiy and strong prejudice that
had acuaed the hearts and nerved the of all during
the struggle buried in the last entertainments. The
black-mouthed forever silenced. The war
drums throbbed longer and the bate-lags fured
and the smoke of conflict rolled the heroes Of both
armies casped hands and pledged eternal fidelity and alleg
to their reunited country
These then young men, who between 81 and '65
tamped many baeheds have been engaged for years in
business activities professions; they have become gov
ernors statesmen pioneers and homebuders in the mighty
West
This organization whose Hieth annual review
Pennsylvania today, started humbly enough
1t has grown and lowered in veneration and glory; and
though will in its proper die sublime nothing
avail erase its spirit and influence from the ripping
shadows of the Stars and Stripes.
Consider the lesson Of this demonstration!
On the other side of the Atlantic millions of
engaged in desperate struggle to destroy each other
devastae of territory and bankrupt nations
colossal tragedy which the people have control
Here, hundred million enjoying greater prosperity