National Republican., 1874-07-06

! gresSmen.
The secretary also states that there have
7 been printed about 1900 circular letters 20
survivors, together with an edition of 1000
copies of the proceedings of the national con-
vention held here in January last containing
the address Of Gen. j. s. NeCleY, the poem OF
Gen. Albert Pike, the memorial and bill pend
ing in Congress, list of delegates, and all the
interesting details of this first National Reunion
OF Mexican War Veterans since the conquest
of Mexico by the Americans in 1S47. The sec
retary proposes to supply during the summer
a copy to every survivor who forwards his
name, pOst-office address, and such account Of
his military services as will show his right to
be enrolled in the national register. 1t is also
contemplated by the national association to
have medallions cast in bronze, of cannon cap
tured by our army and navy, commemorating
the victories Of that war, to be distributed to
every honOrably discharged soldier and sailor
whose whereabouts can be ascertained. Sew
eTal designs for these medals have been sub
mitted to the president Of the association.
EXCURSIONS AND PICNIcs.
During the entire day the river was alive
with boats, steamers and small crafts, and
presented a very interesting picture. The ex-
| cUrsiOn DOats to the different landings were
loaded down, and few places of any note at all
along the Potomac escaped a visit The Pilot
| Boy and ferry-boat CITY of Alexandria went
/ -.
mont. Capt. Frank Hollingshead, with the
| staunch little steamer Arrow, peopled the
woods at Mount Vernon, and decidedly had
the cream Of all excursions on the river For
an lndiscriminate gathering it was the
most select that has been seen together for
| some time, and never a better one on the
river. OF course, the courteous and gallant
commander had a cheerful word for all his
| guests, particularly the ladies-he was never
known to fail in that respect-and as a conse-
quence the trip down was an enjoyable one.
Major Blake was second in command on this
occasion, and proved valuable right-bower to
his partner. How the self-possession of both
was tested, is given in the account of the storm
which is published elsewhere Marshall Hall,
White House, Piney Point, Blakiston's Island
and Point Lookout were all visited by excursion
parties, and at every place the day passed
without being marred by the slightest trouble
Every grove that would afford shelter for
dozen people was levied upon for picnic
purposes and appropriated by private parties,
or used for school or association. The Recha-
bites spent the day with their fellow-societies
in Baltimore. The Georgetown Hibernians
went 10 AnalOstan Island; the Rights of St.
COlumblIille to Letters Garden; the Knights
of St. Patrick TO the old park The Sunday
schools Of McKendree and Hamline chapels
enjoyed themselves in the woods near the Old
Soldiers Home.
At all the pcnics good order prevailed, and
nothing interrupted the pleasures of the day
except the storm, which terminated matters
suddenly and sent the picnicers on hasty search
for home.
THE METHODIST PICNIC.
Among the many parties which left the city
in quest of pleasure, on the morning of the
+th, there was perhaps not one more numerous.
intelligent and well directed than that which
left the Baltimore and Ohio depot for the beau
titul grove near Gaithersburg, owned by the
Washington Camp-meeting Association.
Long before a. m. the depot presented a
scene animating and interesting TO witness.
Men, women and children, each carrying that
quantity of luggage necessary to provide well
for the "inner man." were massed in every
available space in and around the apartments
provided for passengers. To meet the demands
Of the occasion q separate ticket Office was
opened, and Edward (. Simpson, that sprightlv |
little whOle-souled business man, whose efforts |
in the good cause are unceasing, was to be seen
greeting every one with smile from its win |
dow as be took in the dollar bills and returned |
the PASSPORTS
At the proper time train of ten passenger |
cars was backed in for the accommodation of |
the crowd, and under the efficient personal su-
pcrintendence of George s. Koontz, of the rail- |
road company, and Rev. B. Peyton Brown, |
JHo. T. Mitchell, DR.. F. Howard, VIM. Wood.
ward, Richard Willett, Thos. P. Morgan and |
others Of the active members of the Grove As |
sOciatiOn, all were comfortably arranged and |
provided for, and the signal being given to 90 |
the iron steed, putting hard for a start, drew |
the train from beneath the inclOsure, and sped |
away as if anxious, like the passengers, to get |
beyond the city limits. This was soon accom-
and the grand old songs of independ- |
ence foated out upon the morning breeze, and |
bore the echoes of happy hearts to the native |
hills and streams to which their notes were !
dedicated a century ago,
With a moments pause at Silver Springs, |
the luxurious home Of the Blsirs, the party |
sped On p R0Gkytllssr w9eEe Q thT2ng 9t FOou, I
two hundred from the Methodist Community of |
the village and surrounding country were in |
waiting to join in the days diversion at the |
camp ground, and amid 8 shout and ecldt these /
were taken on bO&fd, and the train again put |
in motion to the time of the gladsome music |
which was waited from every car window In |
fifteen minutes the tops of the oaks of the |
beautiful grove were seen waving welcome to /
the excursiOnsts to their cooling shades The |
familiar strains Of our national airs, being PLAYED
by the Clarkesburg band, were soon heard, |
and, by looking out the car windows, another |
mass of human beings were to be seen throng- |
ing the long platform and station house, their |
waving kerchefs and glad huZZas indicating the |
warmth Of the welcome they offered. Alight- |
ing from the train one would have supposed |
that all the inhabitants of Montgomery and |
Howard counties had turned out, regardless of |
age, for amid the throng the venerable form of |
old Basil Barry, so familiar to every Methodist |
in Maryland, was noticeable, and presented a |
striking contrast to the prattling children to be
seen in every direction.
THE PROCESSION
o pleasure-seekers was soon seen winding |
| along the stalwart oaks TO the camp ground |
Wire all in few moments deposited the |
! iugage and dispersed in small parties to the |
| sprlEs and pumps, 10 quatf the exhilarating |
"aIeS which render the spot 50 deserVedly |
pORult.
Nuhrous swings were now seen, with happy |
occupa1s riding to and fro, while others were |
engagedat croquet, quoits and other diver |
slenS. hsbands and wives, and many couples |
eGpectingp assume that relationship, were of |
LOT WaIkto the springs about quarter of |
mile distan, while the boys and girls were |
busy among the blackberry bushes. Little |
gatherings Guild be seen through the grove in |
every dlrectlo, enjoying the balmy breath Of |
A happy pary from Union chapel was ren-
dered noticeabl by the presence Of Mrs. Alice |
Baxter, Mrs. LATHE l.. Homersley and Mrs. /
Fannie Calvert, With Fred the singer, who was ]
soon busy with 81 extemporized batoh from an /
8ololnlHg tree. While Fritz for tenor, the |
t ~ lo[ baritone, ans Brother Ben-noted |
inc the vrooJs ri,- ~ aalys-Snr basso, were max
Thomas P. Morgan was tn. cer.ro 81 boI,,, ,,,,S
group-made thrice happy by her laPPy KY
who hailed from the Foundry ConVt-sattejio,Tr,'
song and promenade were their principal an
ioynents. Mr.. Berlew, Frank Wilson ana |
Mrs. Dr.. Winter were among the accomplished |
Tocalists Of this party, and their sweet singing
attracted crowds, who fingered near to enjoy |
its influence.
A large representation from Dunbsrton |
street, Georgetown, was present, among whom |
Mrs. John T. Mitchell was promino1t in her |
endeavors to make the hours pass pleasantly |
for all who were thrown within reach of hor |