The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-05-04

q stand had been erected for the accommoda'
ton of his Honor the Mayor and members o.
the Council, who were formally to welcome
them to and tender the hospitalities of the
city. Owing to family affiction, the Mayor
was not present, but his place was most ad
mirably filed by Colonel Martin ]. Ford, one
of the Aldermen. Stepping from the midst o.
his brethren of the Council, he addressed the
fremen as follows:
"Vsslting Fsremen Of Macon, Charleston
AUGUSTA md Taon,asoilIe: The pleasing duty
has been assigned to me of welcoming you, in
behalf OF the municipal authorities of savan
nah, to the hospitalities Of our town. No duty
could be more pleasing to me than this, and
enter upon it's discharge with but one regret,
and that is that am not competent to do full
Justice to the occasion. Whatever may lack
in words, while extending to you this hearty
welcome, rest assured that the heart is in the
right place, and that that heart, being true to
the promptings of nature andfriendship, gives
you greeting which no language can express.
Sin the history and annals Of Savannah, this
day has ever been q memorable one. Before
the war, it was celebrated with degree oil
grandeur which caused our citizens to look
forward to it with the most pleasurable antici-
pations. The war, however, has produced
such Influences upon our people and country
that, while the spirit has not been crushed, the
first of May and it's attendant celebration has
been classed as among the pleasant memories
of the olden time. Gentlemen, congratulate
you, on this occasion, that the old custom is
to be revived and in all its ancient spirit. The
best illustration of the factzis your presence
here to-day. In behail Of the municipal au-
thorities Of our town, and Of its citizens,
again extend to you teartf ltwelcome, hoping
that you will not only enjoy yourselves while
here, but carry with yen to your homes such
recollections of your visit ss will bind Savan-
nah still closer to the cities which you repre-
sent" [Cheers.]
THE PROGRESSION, ,.-----.
The line was now reformed, the mounted
marshals, Of whom there we're a goodly num-
ber-these Georgians are great on nsrshals-
gave the order to move, which was done in the
foil owing order:
The Chief Marshal and assistant. The Mar
shal.s aides.
Music now lent its charms to the head of
the procession, following which was the Chief
Engineer of Savannah, j. j. Waring, Esq, and
his Assistant Chiefs, Messrs. Jas. A. Barron and
Roberts also, Jno. G. Deitz, Esq, Chief Of
the Macon Fire Department, and II. q. Ma
thans, Esq, Chief Of the Charleston Fire De-
partment.
The uniform Of the Savannah chiefs is very
rich dark grey, ornamented with silver-plated
buttons, on which are emblazoned an emblem
of the Fire Department. The dress Of the
Macon chief was white freman's coat, black
pants, and white Hreman's hat, similar to our
own Of Charleston. The uniform Of our own
chief is too well known to require description;
but the contrast presented by the several
colors, well displayed on the stalwart frames Of
this line Of officers, was an exceedingly pretty
feature Of the procession.
Mr.. James A. Barron, the Second Assistant
Chief, deserves more than passing mention
of his name. He has been fireman all his
life. Twenty years ago, while present at the
burning of the Orphan Asylum, the thrilling
word ran through the crowd that one of the
little children had been left in the burning
house. With the gallantry and devotion
which are the characteristic Of every
true fireman, he dashed into the edi-
fee, seized the little one and brought
her safely out, or rather should have said he
and the child we're dragged out by his com !.
rades, he having sunk to the floor well nigh
suffocated and fearfully burned, but still hold
ing his precious burden next his heart. Mr..
Barron lost his voice at that time from the effect
of fire which he inhaled, but won tribute to
his high-born courage, which has found e1-
preston in the honors that have been confer
red upon him during his long connection with
the department.
First after the chiefs came the Mechanics
Hook and Ladder Company, of Savannah,
Captain Dixon, foreman. The truck was very
handsomely decorated with heavy festoons OF
evergreens pendant from the sides, and sur
mounted by an arch of flowers, beneath which
was large doll. The uniform Of the men was
red shirt, black pants, belt with the word
mechanic" upon it, and white hat.
Following the Mechanics" was the delega.
tion of "Neptunes, from Thomasvine.
After the "Neptunes" came the 'Vigilants, {"
of Charleston, and it is no aattery to say that
they never appeared to better advantage. It
was not only one OF the largest companies in
the procession, but the admirable discipline
observed, the correct marching, the arrange
ment Of men according to their sizes, together
with their cool white uniforms, 30 much in
contrast with everything else on the ground,
attracted degree Of attention, especially
from the fair sex, that was not accorded to
any other organization. The time-honored
machine was decorated in style similar to
that in which it appeared at the last Charleston
parade, and the beautiful pyramid of French
flowers, which has made 30 many Of the softer
sex envious, was the observed of all observers.
The Oglethorpe Steam Fire Company, OF sa-
vannah, followed, the engine being drawn by
four powerful horses. Forty-eight men paraded
with the engine, and thirty with its hose real.
Both were very elegantly ornamented, but the
chief attraction was q Aa1en-haired little
beauty, not more than six years old, who was
ensconced, like a protecting divinity, amidst
tho rneeeiva machinery M the engine The