The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-09-16
THE RIFLE TEAMS.
Presenting the Trophies to the
VictOrs.

NEW YORK Sept 15.-Neyer was there wit
messed ia New York such large, enthusiastic,
and good humored gathering as assembled
fought IN Gilmore's Garden. Nearly 5000
people were present ana crowded the immense
hall. The audience heartily cheered the Irish
and Scotch airs. The old country music had to
be repeated, and finally amidst hurricane of
applause and to the tune of "See the conquer
ing hero comes" Judge sGildersleeve of the
American team, followed by the Irish, Scotch
and other rlfemen, mounted the stage. The
trophy of 1.-THE marksmen, the champions of the
world, was moved to the front of the stage af
ter GilmOre'S band had vacated and the cere-
monies commenced.
A noticeable feature of the evening was the
enthusiasm with which every member of the
Irish team, and its success, next to the Ameri-
cans, was received. The same GRO ds cheered
for Irish success and still more heartily for the
American victory. Mayor Wickham came for
ward amidst cheers and introduced Gen. Jos.
Hawley, President of the United States Cen
tennial Commission, who in the name of the
people of The United States presented the
trophy so calamity won in the rifle contest.
The trophy was then placed in the centre of
the platform and the audience sent up roar of
applause. Geu. Hawley, who was received
with cheers, said that as an appropriate part of
the work OF the International exhibition of
1876, the United States Centennial Commission
had arranged for an International rifle match.
The event justified the confidence of the people
in their management, and he was authorized
by the commission to give to the twenty leading
marksmen the medal of the U nited States Gem
tenna; to each of the eight members of the
American team badge awarded, and dplo-
ma to each of the four leading members of the
short range.
The four leading members of the short range
were named as Major j Ell. Jewell, L. M. Bal
lard, G. Oberboch and Ransom Rathbone. The
American eight who were to receive the badges
then came forward and bowed to the audience.
Their names are Gidersleve, BOdine, Dakin,
Dntb ,roIl, L,l4
AS each gentleman bowed to the audience there
was enthusiastic cheering.
Gen. EIaWley continued: Every man and wo-
man in America will concede that this match
has been conducted with discipline, and has
not been marred with any evil feeling. (Cheers)
1t has been, he continued, our duty as a part of
the American people, and oSr pleasure to well
come these our friends with every possible de-
monstraton Of good will. We thank them for
coming here to add to the pleasure of our CEN
tennial year, and as far as may be consistent
with loyalty to our friends wish success to
every one of them in the future contests.
(Cheers.) Indeed, none of them ara without
share of glory. The speaker then enumerated
the scores OF the various teams, and said on be-
half of the National Rifle Association he COM
snitted that splendid trophy to the American
team, to defend it against all corners. (Enthu-
slastic cheerlng.)
Capt Henry Fulton of the American team,
then received the trophy, and in brief speech
said all the time and exertonS of the team
were in requisition and constant.practce to pre-
pare for the match. He thought that ten years
hence the work of today would seem as childs
play, but the American team would do their
best ito defend that trophy in every field
(Cheers.) He hoped every country would send
repreSe ntatives to contest for it, and that the
Americans would always win, (Cheers)
Jtdge Gildersleeve came forward in response
20 repeated calls and said that if he were not
familiar with the facts he should believe from
the lpud aud great cheering that all tbesteams
had been successful, whereas there were but
s victorious men and 80 defeated. He spoke of
those who by their presence so handsomely
contributed to the success of the centennial aud
said the Irish, not SATISFIED with two defeats,
came boldly forward TO the front again
aud the victory was almost theirs. (Cheers
The next thing in a rifle match being victo-
rious is TO be second, and that honor belonged
to the Irish, (cheers.) These hardy sous of
Ireland would have another chance next week
Thursday. The speaker went on to say that
the gentlemen who were here last year should
be everewheTe kindly received, (cheers) and
cheered as they did the Americans, so that
they should go home and say they had a good
time here.
Judge Gilderaleeve then referred in very
complimentary terms TO the Scotch, Canadian
and Australian visitors and to the pluck of
the Irish in coming on TO try their fortune
again, and expressed hope that the American
team would again meet their foreign friends iu
friendly contest The proceedings then ter
minated,