At Grand Rapids

For 59 years an ever graying, ever dwindling host has held annual "encampments" in various sections of the U. S. As surely as August rolled around, so sure ly have the veterans of more than three score battles--and now of three score years--assembled and somehow marched, in spite of old wounds and infirmities.

Last week the Grand Army of The Republic was "encamped at Grand Rapids, Mich. And last week 5,000 blue-coated veterans marched as they have done in former years; with backs bent and eyes dim; with the aid of canes and crutches, but still with the indomitable spirit that even Lee could not daunt.

Next year a procession of automobiles is expected to take the marchers' place and bear grizzled veterans with the easy pomp of conquerors. But for the nonce the illusion of youth's vigor still lingers. The "soldiers" of Grand National Commander Louis Arensberg (also "Dr. Arensberg") of Uniontown, Pa., have responded to their leader's call, and have come together 'round his standard without help from any upstart impertinent enough to have fought for liberty later than Gettysburg.

"Damn it, Sir! We fought to set the slaves free! And we did it with none of your 14 piddling points and treaties made in a frog king's palace! Damn it, Sir! Who ever heard of the Marne?"