Morning journal and courier., 1882-01-26
Grand Army Camp Fire.

The Grand Opera House Filled With War Veterans-Addressesb by Prominent Citizens and Members of the Order Am EnjoyabIe Occasion.
 The camp fire given by Admiral Foote Post No. IT, Grand Army of the Republic, l at Peck's Grand Opera House last evening I was success in every particular. The main | floor supplied with tables extending the entire length of the hall, around which gath | cred the comrades of Admiral Foote Post and l their invited guests of Elias Howe, ir., Post Delegations were also present from the Posts l of Meriden, Birmingham, Branford and other places. At the head of the center table was Colonel B. s. Pardee, the master of ceremo- nies, while on his right and left were General George s. Merrills of Massachusetts, con- mander-in chief of the order, Department Commander Judge A. B. Beers of Bridge port ex-Governor English, ex-Mayor Lewis and the officers of the State Department. The address of welcome to the visitors was delivered by ex-Mayor Lewis in the absence of Mayor Robertson. Mir. Lewis was very happy in his remarks and was repeatedly cheered by the old soldiers.
 In reply to MT. Lewis remarks Judge Beers, of Bridgeport, responded as follows 'It is my pleasant duty as Commander of the De- partment of Connecticut Grand Army of the Republic, to respond for them to the elo- quent words of welcome with which you have 50 kindly greeted our presence in this beautiful city, whose institutes of learning, business activity and proverbial hospitality have made the name of New Haven to be known throughout the length ana breadth of our land.'' With other excellent remarks the speaker closed.
 Commander Kingsley, of Elias Howe jr., Post was then called out as the representa- tive of one of the best posts in the State. He responded in pleasant manner
 The greeting ode was then sung to the air of ''Glory Hallelujah.''
 Grand Chaplain Davis then invoked the Divine blessing Marching through Geor- gia'' followed, the American band on the Colonel Pardee introduced Commander-in- Chief Merrills, who, as he arose to speak twas greeted with ':Hail to the Chief'' by the band Loud cheers followed, and when they had subsided General Merrills returned thanks for the cordial greeting. He said he was more than glad to come down to this ancient commonwealth and greet his comrades. We had been born and bred to the arts of peace, but we were soon soldiers Out of that army of raw recruits almost in day, was welded the grandest army the aWorld has ever seen. We came home laid wside our uniforms and our fighting days were over. We saw the necessity of an or ganization and the outgrowth was the Grand Army of the Republic, one of the noblest, the purest and best associations in exi stence. Let us remember our duty to curse Ives and to our country. Let us try to be as good citizens as we strove to be good soldiers and hand down to our children and our chil- drens children the grand heritage that we fought to maintain.
 Alderman Joseph Sheldon was next intro- duced and spoke in his usual successful vein. He hoped that the time was not far distant when monument to the fallen heroes on the public Green would be erected
 Three cheers for a monument on the Green were given.
 Dr. Porter, of Elias Howe, jr., Post, was called out and made an eloquent address.
 The Clamp Fire Ode" was then sung.
 Ex-Governor English was next introduced and was received with loud cheers. He said the days of strife were passed and the Grand Army of the Republic met here tonight to renew old friendships He said he had lis- tened with great interest to the remarks that had been made. He was surprised to see so many youthful-looking men present. He would not forget the Grand Army of the Union and the soldiers who laid down their lives for their country. They would soon join their comrades wno had passed over the river. He urged them to be true to tn ir country and true to themselves. and true to the Union which they fought to sustain. He said he not in the field dur ing the war, but he had duty to perform, and he thanked God that He gave him cour- age to perform that duty. He did not say it boastingly, but he was happy to say that he did not withhold his vote in anything that would benefit the soldier.
 J. D. Plunkett, of Henry 0. Merriam Post of this city, next introduced, and made an eloquent address.
 Mir. Plunkett referred to the monument that had been proposed the public square on the plot donated by the city. He hoped that citizens of New Haven would from their munifcence yet aid in the erection of mo- ble monument.
 The following letter was read
 TRINITY RECToRY, Jan. 25th, 1882. 1 MY DEAR SIR: |
 regret extremely that I cannot be present at the Grand Army camp fire tonight I am too unweu to !