The daily gazette., 1881-12-14
g. A. r. CAMP FIRE.
DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF THE
ORDER ENTERTAINED IN THIS

DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF THE
ORDER ENTERTAINED IN THIS
CITY.
The great event in local G. A. r.
circles-the reception of the Com.
inander mischief of the Order ind his
staf-came OF last evening, in Instr
tute Hall, and was highly successful
affair.
The visitors were Commander-in-
Chief George s. Merrill, Of Lowell,
Mass, who arrived here at 4. .45 O. clock
and was received by Assistant Inspec.
tor General John Wainwright and
Daniel Ross Past Commander-in-
Chiet Gen. Louis Wagner and E. U.
DeLoud. of Philadelphia, who arrived
at o O'Clock and were met by DEPART
ment Commander McNair and Adju-
tant General Smith General James
Tanner, ex-Department Commander
of the State Of New York, who arrived
at O'Clock and was met by delega-
tion of Smyth Post. Posts from Mil
ford and Dover arrived here on the
$50 train, and the New Castle and
Mill Creek Hundred Posts came in
carriages, reaching here about 7
o'clock.
Headed by the First Regiment Band
the Posts formed in line and marched
from the headquarters of Smyth Post
to Institute Hall, where the large
audience of ladies and gentlemen had
assembled. A few minutes later the
distinguished guests were escorted
into the hall by the local Department
and Post officers, and were compli-
mented with "Hail to the Chief" in
the bands best style.
Department Commander NcNair
presided, and after prayer by Chap
lain VanHorn, introduced Harry
Sharpley, Esq, President of City
| Council, who welcomed the visitors In
happy and felicitous address. He
alluded to the absence of the names of
the common sOldiery on the pages of
history, which simply recorded the
achievements of the great Generals.
| But it is the mission of the Grand
Army to write the history of the pri-
vate soldiers around their camp-tires,
and to cherish their memories in
grateful hearts. He welcomed the
survivors of that noble band and
wished them God-speed in their mis-
sion of charity and brotherly love.
After music, orally round the flag,
boys" by the band, Department Com
mander McNair introduced COmmap-
der-in. Chief Merrill, portly, fine
looking gentleman, with big, bald
head and flowing side-whiskers, very
much resembling Gen. Stewart l..
Woodford, of New York. He spoke
for an hour, giving some interesting
| army "reminiscences and extollinK the
merits of the Grand Army organiza.
tions, whose mission it was to keep
up the memories of the past, assist
the widows and children of the mar
tyrs and relieve the distresses of the
suffering brothers. Three hearty
cheers were given for Gen. Merrill
when he concluded, and the band
played "Marching Through Georgia. !"
Gen. Tanner, of New York, veter-
an who lost both legs in the war, but
manages to navigate with admirable
proficiency on artificial limbs, was next
| introduced. lie bears such a strong per-
sonsl resem blance to Benz. Nelds, Esq,
of this city, that he was taken for that
gentleman by many in the audience,
while he was sitting upon the stage, He
said be had passed through this city fire.
quently on the cars, and stopped SO Of
ten to the stereotyped cry OF "ten min
| utes for refreshments" that be began 10
consider Wilmington synonymous with
hash, and longed to lay over here once
and get good, square meal. He said
the Grand Army was booming in New
York as 1t never doomed before, and
then proceeded to give a glowing tribute
to the benefits and good influences of
Grand Army organizations. He revived
many "reminiscences of the late war, and
related instances thrilling, humorous and
pathetic, with such telling effect and in
such rapid succession that the audience
were for nearly an hour kept In de.
lightful STATE Of uncertainty whether to
laugh, cry or bold their breaths with
suppressed excitement. At times his
discourse was really eloquent, but un.
fortunately its closing portion was
marred by q political hsrangue In favor
of complete negro equality, unnecessary
and uncalled for, and which was not al
all relished by the major portion Of the
audience. He closed by urging all old
soldiers to join the Grand Army organ
izations.
Aftes violin solo by Miss Geary, o.
this city Past Commander in Chief Gen
Louis Wagner made an address, IL
which the advantages Of the G. A. r
organizations were set forth in glowing
terms.
Comrade A. s. Nones, Of this city
spoke next, and alluded particularly to
the exploits of Delaware soldiers, no
only In the late war, but in the Mexican
war, the war of 1919 and the American
: revolution. His remarks were loudly
applauded. Then the entire audience
sang, "My Country, tbs of Thee" AM
the meeting closed with the benedictior
: by Chaplain Van Horn.
Afterwards the visitors were enter
. tained by Gems. McNair and Wainwright
, Fullmer's dining rooms, aud left TO
3 their respective homes on the midnigh
trains.
The whole affair was successfully CO.
, Quoted and reflected great credit upo
] those responsible for its MANAGEMENT.
i A good Investment is bottle OF Dl