Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1879-11-20
Chicago Welcomes Grant.
4 Great Reception 10 the Soldier,
Statesman and Traveller.

dlleIullS lle dHHudl uletllHS VI tIlc
Army of the Tennessee, opened with a
dull skv, and up to o'clock the rain fell
in brisk showers. Along towards Chow
ever, the sky became brighter and the
sun came out at times, making the pros
pect more favorable for the procession
and for decorating.
The streets along the line of march
are profusely decorated with emblems of
welcome and congratulations. As no
arches were erected, there is little to call
for special mention, where all are about
equally meritOriOus as to design. The
newspaper offices generally have done
finely with flags, bunting and evergreens.
The theaters are also noticeably artistic.
Scarcely a building along the line of
march lacks some sort of decoration.
The train from Galena bearing Gen.
Grant, arrived at Park Row, on the
South Side, promptly at one o'clock. AT
this time the rain was falling heavily,
hut in few minutes the clouds lifted
and the sun shOne brightly. Gen. Grant
alighted with his party from the specia!
car of President Ackerman of the Hi
nois Central Railroad, and taking his
seat in the carriage provided for him,
the procession, composed of the militia
ry, distinguished personages, city Off
cials, civil societies, decorated business
vehicles, etc, moved from Park Row,
over the principal streets, and was dis
missed on Wabash avenue.
Gen. Grant left the procession at the
Palmer House, and reviewed it from a
temporary balcony. 1t was of great
length, requiring over two hours to pass
a given point. There was dense and
appreciative crowd along the whole line
of march, which eheered the notable
members and organizations of the pro-
cession, but gave their lOudest applause
to Gems. Grant, Sherman and Sheridan.
After the review. Gen. Grant was
formally welcomed by Mayor Harrison,
who spoke in the rOtunda of the Palmer
House. The Mayor welcomed him as
one of the most renowned of American
citizens, whose journey round the world
had been watched with feelings of graft
fication: that his passport was simply
that of an American citizen. He allu-
dec To the services of Gen. Grant during
the late war, to his generosity toward
Gen Lee, and to his elevation to the Presi-
dency.
The speech was applauded heartily
Gen. Grant in reply SAID:
Mr.. Mayor and Gentlemen of the Com
mittee of Reception of Chicago, Cen
tlemen of Chicago and Illinois:
feel very much honored by the well
come to-day. / feel highly honored by
the pledge Of welcome which has been
uttered by your worthy Mayor, which is
something SO personal to myself,it would
be hardly in good taste for me to re-
spond to the language of it,and it leaves,
therefore, nothing for me to do, but to
convey my thanks to this committee of
citizens OF this city for the hearty re-
ceptiOn which they have given me. To
the allusion to my reception abroad, l
will say that in every case felt that it
was Il tribute to our own country.
will add, further, that our country
stands differently abroad in the estima-
tiOn of European and Eastern nations
from what it did quarter of century
ago. An American citizen is regarded
in different light from the American
citizen of quarter of Il century ago. At
that time it was believed we had no Ma
tion-it was merely a confederation of
States, tied together by a rope of sand
and would give way upon the slightest
friction. They have found it was a
grand mistake. They know we have
now Nation; that we are Nation of
strong, intelligent, and brave people, Ca
pable of judging and knowing our rights
and determined on all occasions to main
tain them against either domestic or
foreign foe, and that is the reception
you, as a Nation, have received through
me whilst l was abroad
RECEPTION BY OLD COMRADES.
The reception given by the Society of
the Army of the Tennessee to General
Grant, took place this evening at Hav-
erly's Theater. The auditorium, the
largest in the city, was beautifully deco
rated with flags, festOons of flowers and
wreaths. On either side of the stage
was the inscription in eyergreens "Wel-
come Of the Society of the Army of the
Tennessee" Above the stage, in like
"WelcOme, Commander" There
was also upon the stage representa-
tion of the battle of Vicksburg in charge
of the boys in blue, who guarded the ap-
prOaches, doing regular sentry duty. The
ground was strewn with munitions of
war, fascines, etc. There was also ar
ranged OH each side of the stage and fa-
cling the audience. life-sized portraits of
President Lincoln and Gen. Thomas.
High above all on large banners were
the names of the battle-felds
with which the army of the Tennessee
are so well acquainted.
The building was filled to its utmost
with an audience which, upon
the arrival of Gen. Grant and staff, broke
into hearty applause. Upon the stage
were seated many of his prominent Off
GERS, including Gems. Sherman and Sher-
dan. Gov. Cullom, Mayor Harrison and
other dignitaries were also present. Rev.
DR.. Thomas opened the exercises with
prayer.
Gov. Cullom said nearly fifteen years
had passed since the army had compile
ted the task for which it was called into
existence. They had battled for nation
ality and the best safeguards of the
rights of the State. He welcomed them
and Gen. Grant to the borders of Illi-
nois.
MaYOr Harrison welcomed the army