The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-05-09
THE PARADE AND RECEPTION
OF TIE
Charleston Hook and Ladder CompanV

IhlB was the 1lrSt puDuc exnlDltl0n or their Gle
giant now truck. which arrived in this city few
days ago,-too late to take part in tho Anniver.
ssry display of the Fire Department. The CHAR.
LESION Fire Engine Company offered to give them
an escort; and tho fine band Of the 9Th o. 8. In.
fantry had volunteered their services. With such
a vanguard and suite, the cortegs could not but be
splendid, and 80 it was. The procession excited
great deal Of attention, it passed through the
different streets, and elected much admiration
Both companies looked their best, and tho engine
| and truck were arrayed in their ohoiooat habili.
ments.
| At O'Clock the company and invited guests met
to partake Of o handsome and oopious collation.
provided for the occasion.
The large and elegant dining room OF tho Charles
ton Hotel was impressed for tho purpose, land the
Irregular boarders," turned out). Two long tables
were set, well covered and tastefully adorned with
fine bouquets of flowers Every Fire Company in the
CITY WAS represented. Among the guests we were
pleased, moreover, to notice Mai. Gen. CHARLES
DEvENs, commanding the Department, Gen. HART,
Lieut.. CLousE, and many other United States
officers.
| The 9Th q. 8. Infantry band occupied the west
end Of the room, and enlivened tho evening by
their fine music.
| After the viands we're removed, and the guests
| were we'll supplied with punch, sherry, or what
ever else they might prefer, the President, Mr..
HILTON, aroso and announced the first regular
toast
| "The Charleston Fire Engine Company"
| Replied to by Mr. STYLES, the President Of said
Company. Mr. g., although he diHolaimed being
speaker himself, contradicted the assertion, as
| he made q very handsome speech indeed elicitine
| the warmest applause from the entire confrater-
nifty. he gave the new Hook and Ladder Com
pany true and generous freman's welcome,
which met hearty response from the entire au-
dience. Three cheers and tiger most lustily
given, crowned the effort OF the felicitous orator
The next toast was "The Mayor and City Coun-
Gil of Charleston" Responded to lin the absence
OF the Mayor by Alderman MARSHALL in an elo-
quent and happy monnor. In the name of the
city, he said, ave adopt you as our children"
| sThe Board OF Fire Masters" was the next reg
ular toast; replied to by Mr.. swEEaAN, who gave
the "Charleston Hook and Ladder Company"
responded to by the President, Mr.. HILTON, in
very feeling terms.
The President then announced the next regular
toast: 'The Charleston Board of Trade;" in the
absence Of the President tho Secretary JOHN B.
STEELE, was called on, and replied as follows:
Officers and Members Of Charleston Hook and
| Ladder Company.
GENTLEMEN: You have seen ft to call upon the
Secretary of the Board Of Trade. You are aware
| gentlemen, that We are in infancy; in like
manner 30 are you; consequently we are in the
| same boat. Proud am I, as an officer OF that
honorable body (and presume you entertain tho
! same teeings), that the "lines have fallen to us
| in pleasant places" We, gentlemen, the most Of
us, are almost strangers to this Commonwealth;
but emanating from the great metropolis OF the
Union, feel we are welcomed. We have come
here to be citizens of 'sno mean city," but q CITY
that, in the Providence Of God, with the energy
and ambition Of her people, is destined to be one
will endeavor to regulate her prosperity. You
have formed yourselves in association to act in
unison with your brother firemen to protect it.
freghts to be reduced; there is work for you and
me; there is work for all of us. May those long
ladders OF yours enable you to climb to the very
| summit of public usefulness and prosperity, and
when it shall be our pleasure once moro to meet
as under present circumstances, let us be enabled
to congratulate each other on the work that has
| clusion let me say, may the blessing of God rest
upon your labors, and may your company's
| "shadow never be less."
The last regular toast wac: 'tThe Press"
Mr., CATHoART, of The DAILY News being called
for, replied in few appropriate remarks, and
closed by giving toast: "The Firemen and the
Press-One suppresses and the other presses 81
Three cheers and tiger we're an ample recon.
pense for our humble effort.
| The courier Delng called Tor, Mr. WHrTTEMORE
replied in a credtable manner.
Professor THOMAS, OF the Carotinian, next re-
sponded to call in his usual felicitous STYLE His
reputation as q speaker had evidently preceded
him. for We observed that as soon as he aroae
there was general orowdiDg round him. Every
ear was strained to catch his every word. he
closed by giving a sentiment: "Woman-she kin
dles the only flame that you Fremen cannot
subdue."
Maj. Gen. DEvENs, being now loudly called for,
rose, and addressed the crowd. He said s'Mr.
President and Gentlemen, I know that after lis.
tening to the eloquent speech Of Prof. THOMAS
you care not to hear me. But rice in response
to politeness. hear the cry Of "CHIEF," which
reminds me OF an old song OF the Democracy OF
Athens, which, on occasions, would not listen to
DEMosTHENEs himself, but would quite willingly
, lend an ear to the "town clark" Gentlemen, 81
feel much obliged to you for the invitation You
/, have extended to me-" The late hour at which
We write this forbids us from giving Con- DRvENs
speech in fnll. He alluded in happy manner to
Gen. WALKER-how, at one time during the pro.
gress OF the late war, they we're both inmates O,
the same hospital; he spoke OF how much pleasure
, it gave him to meet this gentleman at this time
and under such agreeable circumstances said he
, had no doubt that both companies present yould
Z do their duty when occasion called, but that he
hoped there would be no need for their arduoue
services. General DEvENs is evidently accustom.
ed to public speaking. and is perfectly self.pos
sessed. He has fine control Of his voice, more.
: over, and succeeded in making himself distinctly
, heard throughout the entire room. The applause
} Wan loud and prolonged, and seemed to put all