The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-06-01
LETTERS TO THE
EDITOR
COMRADES OF BARRE, VERMONT.
Charles E. Harrington, Member of Civil
War Band, Speaks.

Editor, Barre Times One frigid night
during the Civil war the Barre band land
ed in Brattleboro, Vt, on the way to the
gulf. After an exhaustlng night we
reached New York and moved to the
steamer, Cahaba, painting like a monster
animal, to take US TO New Orleans. My
associations with Barre men in the cam
paigns of war brings the Granite city
very close to my heart.
For we still hear the rhythmic tramp
of tired feet, iangle of sabres, canteens,
kettles, cups, rafting hoofs, rumbling
vehicles, caissons, ambulance trains, bag
gage wagons, lash of teamsters, braying
of mules in midnight marches under the
stars, moving hosts through floods of
magic moonlight, tinting heavy mists to
| flashing jewels of jasper and amethyst.
Shadowy forms, ghostly shapes, move
with the column on war worn hillsides
reflected through fog of the damp earth,
when rising splendor lights the dusk, be-
hold blackened faces with smoke and
stain just out of battle in pursuit of
the feeting enemy. Many without cap
or blouse, with wounds still bleeding as
they rush ahead to complete victory.
Even in this solemn hour of early
dawn, mighty chorus burst from ten
thousand throats. 'We'H Rally Round
the Flag, Boys" vibrating through mead
ows and hills from exhausted troops.
There were athletic heroes from col
lege, pulpits, farms, offices, schools and
shops, hard as iron from years of serv-
ice, who appreciated battle with valiant
foe, because they had participated in a
score of desperate engagements, recorded
in history. Out of the trenches on broad
green fields, face to face they had suf-
fered defeats and wrought victories.
They volunteered mid curses of coward
ly copperheads and pacifists who demon
mated them "Dincoln's hirelings"
Their loyal service crowned them with
knighthood, their inspiration was un.
adulterated Americanism, their goal pres
ervation of the union. IL was such pa
triotism as offered every sacrifice, even
life, that saved our country from dis
solution and developed il the leader of
civilization in worlds powers. Our in !
herent legacy from minute men of rs, |
Israel Putnam, who left pillow in fresh |
burrows and rushed ununiformed with |
flint lock musket for the front.
Oliver Perry, who said, 1--WE have met |
the enemy and he is ours" of Paul Re |
we're, of half-clothed soldiers at Valley |
Forge and Brandywine, where battles
ragged in civil war. Palatial grounds
were transformed from gardens of beau
ty to cemeteries in a day.
Under Stars and Stripes, now there
waves triumpbantly the one flag of Lin
coin. Our southern brothers revere its
sacred meaning and with us hang it to
towers of civilization, the ensign of
America and righteousness. They pledge II
their blood TO uphold.
There are as many degrees OF patriot
SIN as strata of earth. Napoleon said, II
rive me that quiet pale-faeed man rath-
IT than a dozen of those shouting give
Napoleon" in battle. The best and sure
proof of a patriot is an offer of service
when necessary for his country, after
his his heroic record is sufficient evil
lence of his strength and manhood. and
his is our ideal patriot.
To-day we pray:
God give US men, strong minds. true
faith, willing hands.
Men whom the lust of Office does not
kill,
len who the spells Of Office cannot buy,
Men who possess opinions and a will.
lien who have honor, men who will not
lie.
Men who can stand before a demagog
Ind damn his treacherous hatters with
out winking
Well men, sun-burned men, who live
above the fog,
In public dufv AMI urivate sh5rtsnr~
G. r. Harrington
Bradford, Pa.