Daily national Republican., 1864-03-19
The National Fair.

Last night witnessed the largest crowd this
Fair that has been present since It commenced
At o'clock Columbia Comm andery OF knights
TOmplArs, under command Of Eminent Commander
X. L. Stevens, preceded By that splendid band Of
the Ilth regular infantry, entered the building,
and after waiting for abort time, the Grand
Master OF the United States Hon. D. b. French, Ap
peared with the President OF tho United States,
and Mrs. Lincoln, Major General sickles, Major
General ogleIby and their star officers, the stan
ofnoers Of Major General Anger, Commodore Mont
gomery, Lieutenant Colonel Hart, and other ON.
GERS. They were all escorted by the Knights into
the large Hail. the band playing with soulstirring
effect that beautiful tune, "HAn to the Chief"
On arriving at the west end ofthe Hall the Knights
opened In double lines, and as these distinguished
gentlemen passed through to the platform they
gave them with drawn swords the proper salute.
The Hon. b. b. French made q short introduo-
tory address, when he introduced General Siekles
to the audience, who was loudly sheered. Tho
General supported himself by his erutehes, and
spoke with much feeling and interest on the great
and absorbing question OF the times. The Cen
erals whole soul seemed TO be imbued with the
spirit Of liberty, and he expressed his fixed deter
mination to sacrifice everything In Its sacred
cause.
General ogiesbY was next introduced and made
very eloquent and thrilling speech, demon
bIAtlnB thht nc knoHb now 10 speak ana chptl-
vAte an Audiense, as we'll as to Eight, defeat and
extsrminsts treason and traitors.
Repeated calls being made for the President, he
SEose and spoke as follows
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN appear to say but .
word. This war falls heavily upon oil classes OF
the people but the most so upon the soldier.
All that man hath will he give for his life and
though all have contributed OF their substance,
yet the soldier perlls and often yields up his life
for his eountry'B cause.
We have witnessed many extraordinary things
In this war; but nothing more remarkable than the
labors and devotion Of the women OF America. !
have never studied the art OF paying compliments
10 women but II were to say all that the poets
have said In her praise since the beginning OF the
world, q just expression respecting their conduct
during this war would require the elimination Of
something new. In conclusion, / would say, God
bless the women OF America.
Tho Knights having opened passage for the
President he passed through the hall and was con.
dueted to his carriage.
The music by this band was OF a superior char
aeter. I'VE have heard many bands play at the
Fair, bun none that exoelS the IIth regular. The
whole exercises last night were OF q high and
oredtAblo character, and much praise IL due to the
Knights 1emplArs for the part they have 80 Eeu.
erouGly taken in aid OF this noble enterprise.
We cannot speak in too high terms OF the ladies
who have sacrificed 30 much time and lAbored 80
hard for the success OF this glorious and
work. Night and day, fair weather or foul, they
have lAbored increasingly for weeks and months
and we are happy to know that II cir lAbors are
crowned with hueee'L The gentlemen who have
aided them are also entitled 70 great credit, and
they will all In due time be r1nArded.
Tonight the grand conos1i takes place at the
Hall for the benefit 1.-THE bounlf fund and the best
singers and musical performln Of the city have
volunteered their services. q MI be one Of tht
most entertl ipins musical tieela OF the season
Take our wsrd for 1t, Aud 80 ARfese. 4