Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1879-09-04
SlenbcnvilIe Reunion Racket.
rEv our Snecial Reporter

Tie Guy.
The barbecue was not a success, but
the pretty, patriotic girls who labOred SO
earnestly and lovingly at the public ia
bles, TO render their guests happy and
comfortable, were. May they each, us
they deserve, be blessed with Just us
many husbands as they want.
Was there ever a cleverer set of peo-
pie than the generous citizens of Steu-
benYille?
We met Col. Plattenburg, of the Han
cock Courier, at the big show, and we at
first thought he was General Won
Molkte, but when he smiled we knew
where we were.
The esprit de corps was grand in the
noble veterans.
The Steubenville Gazette calls the re-
union mob. 1t will make Rome and
ROmanists howl in October.
The decorations were superb and elab-
crate.
We saw one flag displayed from an ell
egant residence, bearing the inscription
CLAY and FrelinghuySen." We raised
our hat in respect as we passed, and
dOubly honored it us a Miss came trip
ping to the gate to inform us: I'VE al
ways display that flag on all important
occasions" All honor to that family
The public dinner was ample and
good enough for soldier-hence too
good for King.
But didn't the girls who dished up the
warm coffee and other good things for
the boys, do their arduous work nicely :?
We didn't hear an angry word, see a
single disturbance during all the day
nor one during the night-all was jollity
and good cheer.
The sincere love "the boys" evinced
for one another on meeting companions
was sometimes touchingly tender. We
saw number of times Il small group of
old comrades approach another, then
stop, Scrutinize each other closely, walk
round and about to assure themselves
that they were right iii their guess
then leap into each others arms and in
dulge in the most eXtravagant express
siOns of friendship.
Conn, of the Herald, was aSsiduOus in
his attentions to guests who fiOcked to
his office all day--and for whom he had
a hearty, cordial creating. The press all
eXceiled themselves in efforts to make
us welcome.
We saw a most affecting meeting be-
tween two old veterans who 'eyed each
other like hawks" to be sure each had
his man, then like tigers they sprang
upon each others necks with the wild
est manifestations of affection, eXclaim-
ing: "Why Tom, why Tom old boy,
why, why Tom, when l last saw you
we lay more dead than alive together in
Libby-I thought you were dead-why
TOm-Tom old boy | am ID glad to
see You" Meanwhile, Tom was getting
in his work in the same strain, declaring
"why Jim, jim, old fellow, you're dead
amt you jim? Why | thought you
died i'll Libby-oh Jim am glad to see
you.
Did anybody ever see such a promis-
cuOuS vast crowd SO studiOusly on its
good behavior?
The Steubenville Gazette says when
Ewing WAS speaking the mob was in
sultingly quiet, Sc. Old vets, how do
you like to be called mob?
If Tom Ewing didn't want to be re-
ceived "insultingly quiet" he should
have broken the silence by saying some
thing. If there is anything Il soldier
likes to do. it is to be uproarinusly jol-
ly, when his surroundings permit.
Gen. Piatt read his piece, on yellow
paper, indicative, we presume, of the
"Sear and yellow leaf Of his party.
The idea of Ewing's friends chewing
the cud of their discomfort the way they
do, by charging a put-up job, is simply
ridiculous. TO suppose that any intlu-
ence could be made effective over 5O,-
600 people. promiscu0usly assembled, to
set up Il job on anybody betrays such a
want of good sense as to be pitiable.
"the boys" who there, and everywhere,
fully understand the situation, who read
and know their friends, and fully and
mtelligently know who have been act
ing with the party that abused. malign-
ed and hOwled at their comrades recent
ly i'll Washington. That's where their
indignant silence" comes i'll, and they'll
spot the men who did it, at the polls, ev-
erywherc.
odd Abe" the War Eagle, wasn't
present, but his spirit was.
The Gazette says, Gen. Rice was the
only One-legged soldier on the stand
We guess he rather wished he wasn't
there also.
While Ewing's friends grumble about
the Indignant silence" with which he
was received by the boys, why was it
that the redOubtable General was per-
mitted by the loving Democracy to leave
the grove alone? Were they afraid of
"the soldiers at the polls" that they
didn't call on him, only about dozen.
and then let him wind his way up
through the grove sad and lonely?"
1t is said Ewing and Rice left the
grove humming:
"Oh, solitude where are the charms
That sages have seen in thy face?"
Ewing read his defamation like Il
school boy. Garfield gave it to us from
the depths of heart inspired by the
memories of the past, and the honest
faces of his bl Onzed comrades.
Dr.Updegraff made Il magnificent speech
of welcome.
Gartield's was thrilling
Neil DcnnisOn's was very good.
Rev. Mcclure was lirstrate.
Col. Shellenberger's was well-timed.
HickenlOOper's was the crack and
snap of one of his battery's shells.
The Mexican veterans mustered 80
men.
We shall ever treasure the pleasant
memories of tho great Reunion at Steu-