The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-01-20

cannot enter into it, need to have it preserved
1t does Us good to sit just outside the charmed
circle and receive the overflow of its influences.
We are, in some degree, capable of Inspiration
when we come into the presence of Bravery and
Honor and Patriotism.
Your coming here on this occasion will call
away our thoughts from mere sOrdid matters
and make us remember that selfsacrfce is glo.
rious. We will Try to kindle our torches at
your fires. and through whatever hours Of trial
our Republic may yet be required to pass, we Will
cndeayor to feel and act as did those who form.
ed Its Grand Army and saved it in the hour OF
its extremity.
After music by the band, Gen. billiard, of
Springfield, Department Commander, q. A, H.,
made a short response to the address by Mr..
Lewis, saying that language failed him to an
swer the eloquent address he had just listened
to; that he was not speaker and even If he
were, he could not answer it, because of the
crowd of recollections it brought back to him.
because it brought back SO much that nothing
remained to be said But the Grand Army here
represented feel deeply the cordial reception
they have received. He then took occasion to
briefly relate the history and object of the Grand
Army. 1t was organized one year after the close
of the war, at Indianapolis. 1t has had many
vcssitudes; it has gained strength and lost it,
and passed through many changes until it reach
ed the position it occupied to-day, which all
should understand. 1t should be understood
that it is not a political organization, as has been
said it is composed of men of all creeds and of
all political parties but politics are, by the fun
damental law of the organization, rigidly exclud-
ed from its notice as an organization The OBJ
iect of the organization is to aid and assist the
poor-the soldiers, the widows and orphans; to
bind themselves closer in the bonds of a friend
ship born amid the trials and perils of war; to
meet old comrades again, as on Today talk oyer
old times, and at the end go again to their vari-
Gus homes. He said lie was gratited to see so
many present; gratifcd to see some Of the young
err guard of the State--the new guard escorting
the old; and prayed that their education be per-
feet; was gratifed to see so many ladies present,
-" we always had their sympathy; in camp or
in field, the thoughts of wives or sweethearts
came to us first, and knew their prayers con-
stantly went up to Heaven for our success and
safety" He concluded by thanking the audi
ence for their presence and their attention.
He was followed by another piece by the band,
after which Major Robt. Hendicott, Sth Michi-
gan Infantry, gave drum solo, using drum
bearing the inscription, presented to Robt
Hendlcott, by the n. Y. Tribune Company, Dec
II, 1862, for bravery shown at the attack on Fred
cricksburg." He gave an imitation of the sounds
of battle, the roll Of musketry and the boom
ing of cannon, which was received with loud ap-
plause.
Hon. c. d. Trmbc then read a dispatch which
he had received from Salem, o. from the State
Encampment there in session, sending greeting
to their brothers Of the Illinois Encampment
which was greeted with loud applause; after
which the Madrigal Club sang one of their charm
ing songs, and the meeting was closed by MIR
| Irimble's returning the thanks OF the Post for
the large attendance and the interest the audi.
ence had taken IN the proceedings.
The day was closed by the excellent concert OF
the Madrigal club, of which mention is made in
another place.
At the session Of the Grand Army held on Fri
day the following officers for the ensuing year
were elected; j. S. Reynolds, Chicago, Com
mander; +. b. B. Coultet, Aurora Sr. Vice Com
mander; A. NJ. Trmblc, Ottawa, Jr. Vice Com
mander; /. c. Mitchell, Joliet, Surgeon; Rev
Sam'i Paine, Aurora, Chaplain; Geo. n. Carey
PanGeld, j. w. Burst, Sycamore, $. L. Sweeny
Springfield, c. W. Payey Mt. Vernon, Z. D
Swain, Chicago, Council Of Administration; del
egates to National Encampment S. +. Brown
Chicago, j. w. Burst alternates, NJ. a. Thayer
Chicago D. F. Hit, Ottawa.
Among the resol tions passed were the fol
lowing:
Resolued, That the thanks OF this Encampmen
are hereby rendered to the officers and member
of w. II. l.. Wallace Post e.. A. r., of Ottawa TO
the kind and courteous manner in which the,
have entertained this Encampmcnt while in ses
sion
Resolyed That the citizens OF Ottawa are entitled
to and are hereby rendered our heartiest thank
for the warm welcome we have received at thei
hands as expressed by the eloquent address o
their distinguished citizen, Hon L. n. Lewis.
Resolred, That the thanks Of this Encampmcn
are due and are hereby rendered to the proprie
tor of the Clifton Hotel for the able and satisac
tory manner in which we haze been entertained
by him.
The thanks Of the Encampment were also ten
dercd the late Commander Gen Hilliard for hi
faithful and energetic services for the order.
The next meeting Of the State Encampmen'
will be held in Springfield, on Jan. II, 1873. For
ty-four posts were represented in the EncGmp
mpnt hy ~ dclcrates