Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Peddler Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

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GARFIELD GUARDS. JPjURING the Fall of 1880 the question which ✓V 1 excited nearly every one was : “ Who shall be our next President ?” This interested the school-boy as well as others, and it was not surprising that, before the nomination had been made, papers were circulated through the school to find out its choice for President. The result of this ballot was pleas¬ ingly similar to the results at Chicago ; Grant and Blaine being the favorites. We did not, however, dream of Garfield’s nomination. But no sooner had his nomination been made than it was heartily en¬ dorsed by the school, and they decided that instead of getting up a burlesque on Hancock, that they would turn out solid for Garfield. Accordingly a company was formed, Mr. Chas. Mann was chosen Captain, and uniforms were discussed. Our captain belonged to the Garfield and Arthur Battalion, and so we were invited by him to join, as his company. We did so, fifty men strong, which was not very agreeable news for the other companies as they did not wish to march with a lot of green school boys. On hearing we had adopted a uniform, they imme¬ diately decided to adopt a different one for the whole battalion, hoping in this way to shut us out; but we quietly conformed to their desires, and set about making transparencies. As soon as they got wind

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21 the following poem occurred, by the “ Spenserian” poet of ’81, the band playing a dirge after each stanza. ERA OB GUDE EEELIN. I. Dis yere am de era ob gude feelin, Peace reign in de land. Nowhere can’t be found no double dealin; Musick by de band. III. De Juniors lub de Middlers, Grip by de hand. Look out dar now, you fiddlers ! Musick by de band. IV. Dem matematics we hab stood, Dem we jus kin stand. Tell me, duz dey do us any good? Musick by de band. VII. Dis yere am de era of gude feelin, Brudders, jine de hand; While from ten tousand brazen troats is peelin Musick by de band.

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23 of that, they voted that the battalion should carry no transparencies. But as we were Company C., and so entitled to the colors, we made up our minds to content ourselves with a banner, and to spend all spare time in drilling. The rapidity with which the boys became acquainted with the tactics was surpris¬ ing ; for when we went to Fitchburg and Clinton, we were declared to be the best drilled company in the battalion. This was proved by our going through the platoon movements, which the other companies were unable to perform. Another feature of our com¬ pany was our cheer, invented on our way to Fitch¬ burg, and the enthusiasm with which every cheer was ended by 4 4 Rah-rah-rah — T-E- C-H—rah-rah-rah ” attracted the attention of all the bystanders. This cheer is not likely to be soon forgotten, as since the campaign, it has been informally adopted by the school, and is used on every occasion. Having done our duty to our country, and seen Garfield safely placed in the White House, we dis¬ banded, feeling well satisfied with the part we had taken in the Presidential election of 1880. COASTING. NE fine moonlight night not many winters ago, seven men of ’83 with one of the class of ’81 went sliding; on West St. A double-runner couldn’t O be found anywhere, and they were sorely perplexed until M. P.’s pung was suggested by the veteran Senior.