Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-11-14
RECEIVING THEIR COMMANDER

WISH ulku " Ucs .-.. -n
RECEIVING THEIR COMMANDER
The Formal Reception Given to General
Grant BY the Army OF the Tennessee.
Chicago. Nov. .12-The reception gwen
BY the society of the army OF the Tennessee
to General Grant took place this evening at
Haverly's theater. The auditorium, the
largest in the city, was beautifully decorated
with flags, festoons of flowers and wreaths.
On either side of the stage was the inscrip-
ton in everEreens Welcome of the Society
of the Army Of the Tennessee" Above the
center of the stage in like a were
Welcome, Commander" There was also
upon the stage a representation of the bat
tie ground back Of Vicksburg, in charge of
the boys in blue, who guarded the approach.
es, doing regular sentry duty. The ground
was strewn with munitions OF war, isscines,
etc. There was also arranged on each side
of the stage and facing the audience. life
sized portraits Of President Lincoln and
Gen. Thomas. High above all on large ban.
ners were inscribed the names of the battle
fields with which the army of the Tonnes
see are 80 we'll acquainted.
ASVoSA uAAAS0Ay O0AA SuppllCA llG LAu
sic. The decorations were solely designed
and executed by Mr.. Haverly. The i'm
mense building was filled to its utmost ca
pacity 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 officers, including
Gems. Sherman and Sheridan. Gov. Cui.
lom, Mayor Harrison and other dlgnitaries
were also present.
The Rev. DR.. Thomas opened the exer-
cises with prayer, after which. Gov. CulIom
said nearly fifteen years had passed since
the army had completed the tark for which
it was called into existence. They had
battled better than they knew, for they had
battled for nationality and the best safe.
guards of the rights Of the states. He vel
coined them and Gen. Grant to the borders
Of Illinois. He paid a warm compliment
to the soldiers. living and dead, of the civil
war, and especially mentioned those of the
army Of the Tennessee.
Mayor Harrison welcomed the army OF
the Tennessee 10 Chicago, and General
Sherman responded. General Gresham
then delivered the annual address.
Gen. Sherman arose and announced the
conclusion of the session when the audi ence
set up shouts for Grant. This wa, persisted
in until he arose. In response, he suggested
that it was better to follow the programme,
as he was not down for a speech. The au-
dience laughed and renewed their demands
for a speech.
Thereupon Grant deliberately drew from
his pocket a manuscript, and as deliberately
read the following
LONGEST SPEECH OF HIS LIFE:
Alter an absence of several years from
the gatherings Of the society of the army OF
the Tennessee, it affords me heartfelt pleas.
ure to be again with you, my earliest com.
rades in arms In q great conflict for the
nationality and union Of all the states, I'm.
der one free and always to be maintained
government. In my long absence from the
country | have lad a most favorable oppor.
tunity for seeing and comparing in my own
mind our institutions with those of all Euro.
pean countries and most o fthose Of Asia. Com.
pairing our resources, developed and dor.
mant capacity, and the energy of our people
for holding the government and developing
!, its resources, with most of the civilized
!: peoples Of the world-everywhere from
England to Japan, from Russia and SPAR
and Portugal, we are understood, our re
! sources highly appreciated and The skill
e energy and intelligence of the citizens
: recognized. They have been everywhere
kind and acknowledge that the United States
is a nation, q strong, Independent and FREE
: nation, composed of strong, brave and in.
telligent people, capable of judging of thei,
rights and ready to maintain them at Ill
hazards. This is a non. partisan association
: but composed of men who are united in :
determination that no foe, domestic or for
eign. shall interfere between US and th.
. maintenance Of our grand, free and enlieht
ened institutions and the unity of all til,
states. The area of our country, its fertil:t,
! the energy and resources of our people Will
t the sparsity of our population compared I,
+ the area, postpones the day for generation
to come when our d~ecendents will have I,
consider the question of how the soil is t.
9 support them, how the most can be produc
ed to support human life without r~eferenc
to the tastes or ideas of the people, an,
= when but few can exercise the privilege O
. the plain luxury of selecting the articles O
9 food they eat, the quantity and quality o
clothing they wear, but will remain tn,
: abundant home Of all who possess enere,
and strength and make good use of them
y II we remain true to ourselves such
!. country is one to be proud Of
:. am proud Of it-proud that I ann Al
!. American citizen. Every citizen north
= south. east and west enjoys a common hel
u ttage and should feel an equal pride. I an
glad these society meetings are kept N
thus long after the events which they com
q memolste have passed away. They do nc
serve to keep up sectional feeling or bitter
:. ness towards our late foe, but they do kee
y up the feeling that we are a nation and the
u It must be preserved. one and indivisibl,
OF Weteel and maintain that those who fouet
&c and fought bravely on the opposite side froI
OF us have equal claims with ourselves in 4
ne The blessings OF our great and commo
or country. We claim for them the rieht
travel all over this broad land and sele,
th where they please the right to settle. bt
lat come citizens and enjoy their political au
le- religious convictions, free from molestatio
he or ostracism. either on account Of them !,
connection with the past. We ask nothir
mere for ourselves, and would reioice
zee them become powerful rivals In lie d,
velopment Of our great resources in the 4
to QUESTION Of all that should be desirable