The Sun.
London, England, 1867-07-19 00:00:00

The National Rifle Association.

Yesterday the ceremony took place of presenting
to Lord Elcho an address widely signed by the
Volunteers in Camp. Regard being had to the
close identity which has always subsisted between
Lord Elcho and everything affecting the inte-
rests of the Volunteer force, more especially in
connexion with the meetings at 'Wimbledon, it was
but natural to expect that some step of the
kind would be adopted, and, as will be seen
from the address itself, this was intended to
form but the prelude to a more substan-
tial tribute of regard. While every one admits
that no more admirable, more patient, or more busi-

ness-like successor in the office of Chairman of the
Council could be found than Lord Spencer, the first
sensation excited by Lord Elcho's withdrawal from
his accustomed position—a step taken, as will be
seen, in the interests of the association itself—was
one universally of regret and some surprise. To
sever from old associations and familiar duties is at
all times trying, but to do this in the moment of
success, when early difficulties have been encountered
and surmounted, and all promises to go smoothly
for the future, is a rare piece of self-denial. This
conviction, no doubt, had its share in eliciting that
general and cordial assent which was given to Col.
King's proposal that an address should be presented,
and yesterday, in accordance with the request made
to him, Lord Spencer, as the official representative
not only of the Council, but of all who find them-
selves for the time within the lines of the association,
undertook the duties of spokesman. The cetetnony
of presentation -took place at half-past 2 o'clock,
under the great central marquee, so as to allow as
many to attend as possible. Lord and Lady
Elcho were both present, and immediately on their
appearance some enthusiastic Volunteers, without
waiting for the regular order of proceedings, began
to offer loud preliminary demonstrations of
welcome.

Lord SPExcEn (who was also very warmly re-
ceived) said he felt exceedingly flattered at being
asked to take part iu the proceedings of the day,
more especially as nothing could be more congenial
to his own feelings. The present was the eighth
meeting of the National Rifle Association which had
been held on Wimbledon-common, and it was the
first, unfortunately, at which Lord Elcho had not
appeared in the po3ition of Chairman of the Coun-
cil. To his own knowledge the deepest regret had
been felt by very many in camp that Lord Elcho no
longer filled his accustomed place, and on every side
he had heard constant regrets expressed at his no
longer being every day in camp as he used to be.
(Applause.) The cordial reception given to Lord
and Lady Elcho must have shown them how deep
were the feelings of gratitude and attachment on
the part of the Volunteers towards them both.
(Loud cheers.) The Council had already addressed
the noble lord on the subject of his retirement, ex-
pressing their regret at the step which he felt him-
self under the necessity of taking, and, as regards
themselves, their concern at the loss of a chairman
who #had co-operated so cordially with them, and
with whom they had always worked with such satis-
faction to themselves. It was thought that the pre-
sent meeting at Wimbledon should not be allowed
to pass without likewise expressing in some general
manner the feelings entertained by Volunteers and
those attached to the Volunteer movement towards
Lord Elcho personally, and their sense of the great
services he had rendered to the Volunteer cause.
(Cheers.) Accordingly au address had been drawn
up by those in camp, in the form which he was now
about to read ; with hardly any organisation, and
as a mere spontaneous expression of gratitude, it
bad already received more than 1,500 signatures.
For his own part, he had to offer his sincere thanks
to those who originated this movement for permit-
ting him, as an old friend of Lord Elcho, and as a
devoted fellow-worker with him in support of the
Volunteer movement—(cheers)—to be the medium
of expressing their sentiments. Lord Spencer then
read and presented the address, which was in the
following terms

qMy Lord,—The unvarying interest taken by
your lordship in the Volunteer movement, and the
essential services you have rendered to it from its
commencement to the present time, naturally call
forth an expression of the gratitude which is felt
towards your lordship by its supporters in this
country.
" Your lordship's name has become a household
word' among us, and the Volunteers of a future
generation will learn to regard it as that of one to
whom the early success of the movement is
mainly due.
" We feel it a special duty and pleasure to com-
bine the name of Lady Elcho with your own. Not
only at the annual meetings of the National Rifle
Association, but on every occasion when the inte-
rests of Volunteers are in question, she has materi-
ally contributed to the present success of this
national organisation.
" We desire, my lord, to convey to Lady Elcho,
through you, our appreciation of the services she has
conferred upon the volunteers, and the benefits
which we believe we have derived from her gentle
influence and constant presence among us.
" We wish by this address not only to record the
obligations which we feel we owe to your lordship,
but also to request permission to mark our sense of
those obligations, by offering for your acceptance a
durable token of our regard, such as you may trans-
mit to your descendants.
" In the meanwhile, accept this public expression
of our heartfelt esteem.
"To the Right Hon. Lord Elcho, M.P."
The address, which was interrupted at many
points by the applause of the spectators, at its close
was very loudly cheered.
Lord ELCHO, who was unmistakably affected by
the. heartiness of the reception accorded to himself
and Lady Elcho, said,—My friends, I would fain
thank you in fitting words for this unlooked-for ex-
pression of your kind sympathy and goodwill. But
my heart is too full; I cannot speak to you as I
would; I cannot speak to you as I ought. And can
you wonder at it ? Lord Spencer has told you that