The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-12-24
AT A CAMP FIRE.

The G. A. II. of Philadelphia Entertains
Gen. Grant-Calcium Lights, Enthusissm,
Music and Speeches.
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 1S.-Gen. Grant was
tonight escorted to q camp fire, at the AGA
deny OF Music, by the Grand Army of the Re
public, the route being brilliantly illuminated
with pyrotechnics and calcium lights, the rays
of which lent additional splendor to the pro-
fuse decorations which embellished the streets
and house fronts along the line. Shortly after
were begun. In one of the prosecineum boxes
sat Gen. Grants family and the generals per-
sonal friends. The heads of de-
partments and prominent military
officers occupied the other boxes. Gen. Grant
took his seat on the stage at the right of Gen.
Hartranft, who presided, and the camp FIRE was
started by the reveille. COmrade John Sayres,
chaplain of the department of Pennsylvania,
G. A. B., offered prayer. Gov. Hoyt delivered
the address of welcome During the delivery
Gen. Grant stood facing Gev. Hoyt, and on
conclusion of the latter's remarks the binding
seemed to fairly tremble under the enthusias-
tic greeting the assemblaee extended the gene
raj. He stood bowling his acknowledgements,
and as it was evident that he desired to make
some response the audience quickly settled in
to silence. -=
Gen. Grant said
Gov. Hoyt and Comrades of the G. A. R.: 1t
is matter of very deep regret with me that
speeding the welcome have received at your
hands this evening, but really, since arrived
here had not had time and before had not
given it thought. But 1 say to you all, that dur
ing the two years and seven months since lett
your city to eacircle the globe, have visited
every capital in Europe and most of the east
ern nations. There is not country visited
in that circuit where didn't find some of our
members. (Applause) Crossing over our
own land, from the Pacific to the Atlantic,
scarcely new settlement, scarcely . cattle
ranch, scarcely collection of pioneers, did
see that was not composed almost entirely of
veterans of the late war. (Applause.)
1t called to mind the fact that while wars are
to be deplored, and unjust wars are always to
be avoided, they are not always attended with
unmixed evil. The boy who is brought up in
his country home, or in his city home without
to remain there following the pursuits of his
parents, ana never getting beyond them,
in many cases never getting up
to them. But when carried away by great
struggle, in which great principles are in.
volved as in the late conflict, brings to him .
affections belong to the home which he has left
behind him, he only finds disappointment on
his return, and strikes out for new fields, and
develops and prepares new domains for us, and
for thousands who will follow rs.
Our ex-soldiers are becoming the pioneers
it's commerce and their knowledge of the
country in other lands. and when a brighter
day shall dawn for those countries in the cast
America will step in and absorb their COM
MERGE, and this is being brought about through
the exertions of veteran sol1iers, might say
| Of comrades of the Grand Army of the Repub
lie. (ireat applause.)
Comrades, having been compelled as often "a
| have since my arrival in San Francisco to ut
| ter few words, not only to soldiers but to
| other classes, always speaking without prepare
| ton, was of necessity forced to repeat, not in
| the same words perhaps, but the same ideas.
What I want to impress on
you is that you have .
q country to fight for and q country to die for,
if need be. (Great applause and loud cheer
ing.) While many of the countries of Europe
give practical protection and freedom to their
citizens, no European country compares in the
liberty which it affords to particular individ.
uals with our own. In NO other
country is young and energetic
| nan given such chance by
industry and frugslity to acquire competency
for himself and family Is in America. Abroad
it Isl difficult for poor man to make his way
ut all. All that is necessary is to know this
in order to become better citizens.
Comrades, thank you for your welcome
and regret that am not prepared better e
i At IL o'clock the camp FIRE ended and the
general was escorted back to the hotel alons
the route by which he had reached tho academy
and with the same brilliant glare of calcium
lights and pyrotechnics. At the hotel the
Ruest was given hearty parting salute OF
cheern from his comrades Of the Grand Army
of the Republic.