New-York tribune., 1879-12-19
TIE GRAND ARMY DAY.
TriRD TERM TALK-THG GENERAL NOT FULLY COM,
MIrTED 10 TIE CANAL PEOJECT-THE CAMP
FIRE AT THE ACADEMY.

TpiRD TERM 1ALk-fIE GENERAL NOT FULLY CoM-
NIITED 10 TIE CANAL PHOJECr-THE CAMP
FIRE AT THE ACADEMY.
liHoM 4 STAFF CORRESPONDENT OP THE TRIBUSE.l
PHILADELPHIA. Daa. 1S.-1he choice of Senator
Cameron as Chairman of the National Committee
has given direrness and emphasis 10 the third
term talk IN Philadeiph,a. There had been a COM
lnOa understanding on The part of those who ar
ranged the details of the reception that
il was 10 he the representative American
citizen and moi the eN.President and aSpiraut
for third term who was to be welcomed
by the population and municipal authorities. All
classes united in tie movement with zest and III
tcliigcncc. and the great parade was as big town
show as could be devised in midwinter. But nat
: rally enough when SO many Of General Grant
personal friends were gathered together
political considerations could not be smoth-
cred. large body Of prominent men
who were identified with his Administration
lave been here-Cahinet officers, foreign ministers,
secretaries postmasors collectors, even his tavorto
Methodist mnistcrs-and the temptation to invest
Il popular, non-pariisan demonstration with polit-
cal significance has been too strong to he resisted
Under these circumstances Admiral Ammen can
scarcely xppct to secure General Grants acceptance
Of the presidency of the Nicaragua Canal Company
without allowing HIM ample time 10 consider the
matter. The announcement that the Admiral had
succeeded in his mission. and that the General had
fully committed himself 10 the canal scheme. IS
premature. The Admiral has made this ad-
mission himself to-day So long as his in
innate associates regard his nomination as
a forcgonc conclusion the Generals connection
with the nteToceanc canal is likely to remain I'M
determined Those who have talked with him
during the day agree upon this point. Some OF
these inji-creet friends intimate that Mrs Grants
preferences must be taken into account. and that
she is more anxious to return to the White House
than her husband is. 1t is certain, however, that
the Silent Man keep, his own counsel. and main-
tains dignilied reserve whenever inqusitve med
ders seek to anticipate his plans and wishes.
After lreakfasting with Admiral Ammen and
listening TO further arguments in reference to the
canal scheme. General Grant received calls from
eN N-SecletaIy ore, A. j. Drexel, George W. Cnilds.
Mr and Mrs Frank W. Paul. Mr.. and Mis-. George
Augustus Sala, Mr. aud Mis-. George II. Stuart and
Others. Mrs. Grant went cut for drive
in the morning. but the General remained
in his rooms until afternoon. reception ut
the army headquarters i'll Chestnut-st. from half
past . mntil i had been planned. but OWING to the
Generals extreme fatigao 1t was goOd-humoredly
deferred The rooms were tastefully decorated, the
most noticeable piece Of furniture being an ebony
char eiaboratey upholstered and delicately
carved, which u To be presented to General and
the Republic. The card bore this explanation:
" Presented by MIS- Caleb II. Horne to Mrs. Cen
cral L.. :. Grant on behalf of the Grand
Army OF the Republic. for the purpose
of establishing an endowment in the name
of Julia Dent Grant in the Methodist Episcopal
Orpiamagc, for The benefit of an orphan of the q.
AR"
The main feature of Grand Army Day" as it is
named in the Oicial programme was the campfire
in honor of "Comrade Grant, which was lighted
III the evening at ihe Academy OF Music. At
q y. m. the escort consisting oil IOst
and five delegates from each OF the
other posts. forming "a company OF 100 veterans.
proceeded tMe Continental Hotel and conducted
the General to the Academy of Music. where one of
the private boxes had been reserved for him and
hi. family. Tie body OF the house occupied by
tc members oi she Grand Army aud invited guests,
and was denscly crowded. The programme in
clucd addresses by the Chairman. C0nrade John
r. Hartramlt; r.veiio, by drum corps; adj
dIe.sas of welcome By Comrades II. VI.
Hoyt l;oycrnor of Pennsylyanial 9nd II. Clay
1rruhui; music, rccitatOns and addresses bY
variyts members. When the campfire was lighted
tie soldiers orphan boys from the Lincoln lnstitu
ton and Northern Home engaged III varous ma
nTuyrcs. The entertainment was exceedingly
novel aud interesting.
The reception of General Grant was cnthusi-
ast!c as II conld we'll be. When he appeared upon
the stage and AGAIN when he stepped forward 10
-pond To Governor Hoyts welcome the great audi
cnc- sprnn. Ia lis ieet and checred and again
Unp:ctcnt0us as hts speech ~ received
with the liyeliest satisfaction.