Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-04-20
THE CAMPFIRE.
Stirring Speeches Enthuse Audience
That Taxes Capacity Of Hall.

That Taxes Capacity Of Hall.
The campfire held III the city hall Tues
day night insufesd the large audience with
patriotism. The seating capacity of the
hall was taxed to the limit. John w.
Boutwell,, commander of Stannard Post.
had charge of the exercises, which were
opened by a selection from a male
quartotte composed of Measrs. Russell,
Edwards. NcGaffey and Parker. Mayor
\. S. Drew in very cordial terms well
coined the veterans to Burlington and
took occasion to urge upon them to
make this city their permanent meet
ing place. He said that in view Of the
fact that he had never been soldier
he could not attempt to entertain with
war stories. He considered it an honor
to greet the surviving heroes of the
civil War and wished them more years
of prosperity and happiness.
The response to the address of well
come was given by judge c. S Palmer
and his speech was one full of patriotism
which will be remembered as one of the
most fiery ever given in the city hall
He in particular pleaded for renewed
patriotism and said that the men sur
Vivng the Civil War are keenly alive
to the question whether the men of
the present generation who are succo ed
ing them and are in control of present
day affairs are going to preserve unsul-
lied the flag for which their fathers
fought % years ago, whether this gen.
Grafton of men in control of affairs has
the proper fibre in them to stand between
this country's rights and foreign foes
They IUnnlarp,r hot Ior ot,io
is lying dormant or is dead Judge
Palmer referred to the lack of patriot
ism as shown by the Van Ness House,
famous old hosiery of this State
which was made Headquarters for the
encampment, and where seven or eight
ten-cent flags were hung over the door
by a bell-boy. These old veterans saved
our country once and their great wish
is to know that the boys following may
be possessed with the loyalty and
patriotism to fight for and save it again
if necessary. The greatest national is
sue is Americanism. We want Ameri-
canism with no second choice, but with
an intensified backbone which will
neither bend nor Break Amcricanisn
which will stand without hitching, which
will stand erect and when thus stand
ing will remove it's cap in the prescnc.
of Old Glory. That's the spirit of 20
and the spirit of 81 and 60, which sur
rounded Sherman IN his march from
Atlanta to the sea, Grant through the
Wilderness and the spirit which rolled
back the waves Of treason DESTROYED
and broken, at Gettysburg and Cedar
Creek. That is the spirit which in
vaded the cottages on Nermont's hills
and inspired the women in their loyal
work. judge Palmer struck "A keynote
when he called on the veterans present
to stand and cheer as an exhibition of
this spirit. The veterans rose and the
hall resoundcd with cheers.
The retiring commander of the state
department. George r. Martin, was then
called upon ana gave. in Il short sketch
the conditions from which sprung the
grand army. When Lincoln called for
men the northern boys responded and an
organization was soon sent across tho
Potomac to wage war hack and fort.
over Virginia. In due time came the sur
render of Lees army and the romnan,
of this organization was sent back acros.
the Potomac and discharged and from
that remnant the Grand Army of the
Republic was formed fifty years ago. TIL.
Grand Army has not only provided six
presidents Of the United States but from
its ranks have come governors for every
northern state, MISUNDERSTANDING ant
thousands of minor officials in these
States. and these mon while performing
their civil duties have taught and in.
stilled into the young generation patriot
ism and love for the grand old flag.
Following a piano duet by Mrs. C. G.
McGaffcy and Mrs. Lottie Van Steinberg
T.. Il. MonfOrt commandments o,
the Grand Army of the Republic, smoke
lie referred to the horrors of war a,
known by the veterans. War to-day |.
shocking the nations of the worlt
and while We do not want our coun
! Try at war it would be better I,
spend billion in preparedness rather
than run the risk of losing n million
American lives Let us use all the in
flucnce we have to uphold the arm.
that stand between us and our foes
The speaker stated that he did no
fear for the safety Of the country, tn,
enemy might invade our soil before W,
are properly prepared to keep them off
but there is n normal force in Amer
lean people bred from those who hav,
sacrificed all for their country which
would cause them to rise up and Swee,
any nation on the earth from our sol
into the Atlantic. There is no place il
I the world whore woman stands highe
or is more respected than in thi
country. old Glory stands for every
thing in the human life which is WORT
| respecting loyalty, popular govern
meut, majority rule, honest business
equal rights for men and women, purit!
in public affairs, social life and in tn
home unit, The speaker then gave
history of the flag. In his opinion /
= should never be lowered to half mas
on Memorial day, for days of mourn
! ing have their limitations. The great
| est duty Of the q. A. l.. is to stand n
an object lesson to inspire younge
generations to patriotism.
Mrs. Conant of Bradford, patriot
! instructor then read poem to tn
| flag and told of the part Vermont hat
played since the time of Ethan Alel
and the Green Mountain Boys. Sh
| spoke of the work Of the Womens Re
| lief Corps, presenting flags to tn
schools, Sunday schools and churches