The Portland daily press., 1880-08-07
GEN. GARFIELD.
Brilliant Reception of the Boys in
Blue.
AN ELOQUENT SPEECH BY THE NEXT
PRESIDENT.

New YORK, Aug. 6.--General Garfield re-
ceived large number of visitors from all parts
of the country this forenoon.
The reception aad serenade was rendered to-
night to Gen. Garfield at the headquarters of
the National committee was a brilliant sue
cess. The Fifth Avenue and surrounding
stree IS were thronged with enthusiastic crowds
and there Was a large number of prominent
gentlemen in the rooms of the committee.
While Gen. Garfield was being escorted
was recognized and a scene of the greatest
enthusiasm ensued. The procession of the
"Boys in Blue and Garfield and Arthur clubs
then passed through the crown and took their
respective places. Gen. Sharpe then intro
duced Gen. Garfield who was received with
enthusiastic applause lasting over 10 minutes.
Gen. Garfield then adde's Q l the assemblage S
follows:
Comrades Of the Boys in Blue and FeNoac
Citizens Of Ne,o York.
I cannot look upon this great assemblage
and these old veterans that have marched past
us and listened to welcome from our c. IL
rade who has just spoken without remember :lg
how great thing it is to live in this UNI IN
and be part of it,
After paying a glowing tribute to tie
patriotism of Alexander Hamilton of revolu-
tonary fame the General said:
Gentlemen, ideas outlive men; ideas outlive
all things and you who fought in the we
for the Union fought for immortal ideas
and by their might you crowned
our war with victory. Great applause.) But
victory was worth nothing except for the
fruits that were under it, in it and above it.
stand a sacred guard around the truths for
which we fought. loud and prolonged cheer
ing.) And while we have life to meet and
grasp the hands of comrades we will stand by
the great truths of the war. (Cries of Good
Good.' and loud cheers.) And, comrades,
fhn ntiT cpf fbott rtu,i hnxra
sunk deep in our hearts there are some that
we can never forget, Think of the great ele-
waiting spirit of the W ar itself. We gathered
the boys from all Jour farms and shops and
stores and schools and homes, from all over
the republic, and they went forth unknown to
fame, but returned enrolled on the roster of
immortal sheroes. Great applause.) They
went in the spirit of those soldiers of Henry at
Agincourt, of whom he said fWho this day
sheds his blood with me to-day shall be my
gentle his condition. And it did gentle the
condition and elevate the heart of every work
ing soldier who fought in it (applause), and he
shall be our brother foreyermore.
And this thing we will remember. We will
remember our allies who fought with us.
Soon after the great struggle began we looked
behind the army OF white rebels and saw
1000, 900 of black people condemned to toll as
slaves for our enemies, and we found that the
hearts of these 100000 were God inspired
with the spirit of freedom, and that they were
our friends. (Applause) We nave seen white
men betray the flag and fight to kill the Union,
but in all that long, dreary war we never saw
a traitor in black skin. Great applause }
Our prisoners escaping from starvation of the
prison and fleeing to our lines by the light of
the North star never feared to enter the black
mans cabin and ask for bread. C'Good good y
"That's so,' and loud cheers.) In all that
period of suffering and danger no Union SOL
der was betrayed by black man or woman,
(applause) and now that we have made them
free SO long as we live we will stand by these
black citizens (Renewed applause.) We will
stand by them until the sun of liberty fixed in
the armament of our constitution shall shine
with equal rays npOn every man, black or
white, throughout the Union. (Cheers.)
Now fellow citizens, fellow soldiers, in this
there is all the beneficience of eternal JUSTICE
and by this we will stand forever. Great ap-
plause) great poet has said that in individ-
ual life we rise con stepping stones of our
dead selves to higher things" and the Repub-
lie will rise on the glorious achievements of
its dead and living heroes rise to a higher and
nobler national life. (Applause.) We must
stand guard over our past as soldiers, at pa
triots, and over our country as the common
heritage of us ALL (Applause.)
| thank you, fellow citizens, for this mag
nifcent demonstration. In so far as I repre-
sent in my heart and life the great doctrines
for which you fight, accept this demonstra-
tion as tribune to my representative charact-
err. (Applause) In the strength of your
hands, in the fervor of your hearts, in
the irmness of your faith, in all
tn lat betokens the greatness of manhood and
security and glory. (Applause.) do not en-
ter upon controvered questiors. The time,
place and situation forbid it. respect these
themes which elevate us all. Again thank
you for the kindness and enthusiasm of your
greeting. tremendous cheering)