New-York tribune., 1877-09-15
THE PRESIDENT AT HOME.
AMONG UJs COMRADES IN ARMS.

GRAND Decentralization AT FREMoNI, ohio-ish-
UNION OF THE TwENTY-THIRD REGIMENT-As-
sEMBLAGE OF NOTABLE SOLDIERS AND CIVILIANS
BANQUET AND OPEN AIR SPEECHES.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUsE.l
Fremont, o. Sept. 1.-THE brilliant demonstra-
ton at this place to-day, had three-fold character
First it the occasion of the laying of the corner
stone of a new City Hall on the site of the historic
Fort Stephenson, where Maj. Croghan made his brave
and successful defence against the British and lndi-
ans, in the War Of 1912. Second the annual re-
union OF the 23d Ohio Infantry. President Hayes's
regiment, took place; and last-and first too, and
running through the whole affar-was a cordial well
to the President from the people of his home,
and from all parts of Northwestern Ohio. 1t was
this which gave Importance and significance to all
the dongs of the day.
The first feature Of the performances brought a
number of Masonic organizations together; the
second assembled about $50 veterans Of the Odd
Regiment, representatives from all the other old
Northern Ohio and few visiting militia companies
in uniform, and the welcome to the President drew
to Fremont nearly ten thousand people, and caused
the town to deck itself for high holiday. The
business streets were glorious with banners, and
most of the private houses showed some welcoming
tokens in the way of flags and evergreens, while
some were superby decorated. Among the notices
cesson marched were:
1t is not necessary to tell the world you patriotic
IL can be seen by your acts.
Come now, no politics today.
Tine rock OF liberty we split on ia still there.
Let us slrye o bnli foundation to our Government
which will last TIL the end OF tiine; 80 say We all.
Twentythird 10 boys, you have right To feel proud
OF your old commander.
No North; 10 south; no East no West but one whole
country
In front of a Catholic church was the inscription
"Let every soul be subject to the higher powers !;
for there is no power hut from God. Give honor to
the President, that liveth with simplicity that gov
erneth with sOlIcitude. that sheTeth mercy with
cheerfulness." The spirit pervading the multitude
well expressed in these and similar notices.
The President spent the morning at his pleasant
home IN the midst of beautiful grove of oaks IN the
outskirts Of the town, receiving, with Mrs. Hayes,
the many friends who called He presided at the din
ner gwen at noon to the soldiers Of the I'D by the
ladies of Fremont Near him, il was pleasant to notice
the grey locks and brOuzed face Of the FIRST Colonel
of the 3d. Gen. Wm. S. Rosencrans. There, too,
sat Gen. Scammon, the regiments second Colonel /;
Lieut.-Ge Phil Sheridan. under whom it fought at
Cedar Creek Gen. J. ID. Cox. in whose Kanawha
Division it won its proudest victories; Senator
Stanley Matthews its first Lieutenant Colonel, and
Mai. Mckinley, once its Adjutant, and now a Mem
ber of Congress. There were, too, other Of
fcers of note: Gen. s. 5. Carroll, first
Colonel of the Sth Ohio, famous for his
galantry and his many wounds Gen. r. Z. Buck
land Col. ONeil of the list Ohio; Gen. l.. A. Smell
don. Colonel of the 42d after Gen. Gariied's promo
ton; Gen. Jas. Bartlett. Chief of Artillery of the
Army of the Cumberland Gen. NJ. +. Force, Gen.
Kiier Gen. j. C.. Lee, aud other leaders OF OHIO
Volunteers After the dinner three noble cheers for
the ladies. and for Capt. Collier, which the Presl-
dent led-for the President proposed them-werc
given with will by the soldiers.
Then all marched to the pubic square, where the
officers named, and many civilians among the latter
Secretary of War McCreary-flled the stand, while
the 23d men filled the front seats and the general
multitude the whole square. OF the prOcee iinSs
little need be said IN addition to the regular press
reports save, perhaps, TO call attention TO the re-
markable Grafton of Maj. Mckinley and TO the
Presidents clever and humorous way of introducing
his many distinguished guests to the audience; 20
the lively feeling Of comIadeship among the soldiers;
to tine good taste and good humor of the whole
affair." ami TO the appreciative interest and abundant
enthusiasm Cf the thousands VINO took part in it,
The 23d Ohio is III "A peculiar sense, "a National
regiment. II has furnished, at the same tiine
President of the United STATES lnlied States SEN
ator and "A Member Of Congress. he history OF the
country furnishes parallel TO this prodIgaity Of
honors gathered simultaneously by the former Off
GERS of a single regiment. The modesiy and good
sense of President Hayes were shown to-day III the
way he managed 30 divert all the honor meant for
himself To hls old regiment. Nine-tenihs of the
crowd came to see him but for the time he APP
pearcd to be- not the President, but only the Colonel
of the 23d welcoming his Old comrades in arms, and
recalling with them their mutual trials and trunpls.
In the speeches OF the day, which numbered nearly
a score and were, for the most part, remarkably
good. and appropriate to the occasion, only two OF
three political illusions were made, and tnose not
marked OF obtrusiye Late in the afternoon Ihe pro-
cessiun was formed again. and marched through the
town and out to the Presidents house, where there
was a reception, speech. and more personal well
come to the soldiers than the President had been
able to give them during the day.