The National tribune., 1882-06-24


which brief mention was made in the last
number of THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE, proved
in every sense a most enjoyable, as well ac
memorable, occasion. The arrangements were
ably carried out by the following executive
committee of citizens and soldiers of the city
Chairman, Gen. Godfrey Weitzel; vice-chalr-
man, Gen. L. A. Alger; secretary, Gen VIII
liam A. Throop; treasurer, E. II. Butler
Judge E. o. Durfee Hon. w. 6. Thompson
Mayor Gen. L. S. Trowbridge, Gen. F. W.
Swift. Jas. Mcmillan, Colonel jerome Croul,
Frank G. Smith, Col. II. NJ. Butield, Henry B.
Ledyard, Frank E. Snow, A. J. Brow, Gen.
James E. Pittman, Maj. J.. F. Harter, Maj.
Philip Mothersill, Capt. Z. K. Roberts, Hon.
C. C. Trowbridge, Hon. D. V. Bell and W. j..
Chittenden.
A dispatch dated from Detroit, 18th inst,
saws: The most elaborate preparations have been
made for the welcoming of the veterans, and
the congratulations and greetings were begun
on Tuesday afternoon, when the trains from
the East, West and South poured in their loads
of old soldiers and sailors. There was no
need for any one to feel that he was in q
strange place.
GENERAL RECEPTION COMMITTEE
of 12O citizens extended to the visiting guests
the usual fraternal hospitalities. OF this COM
nittee, Hon c. C. Trowbridge was chairman
Hon. H. P. Baldwin, Gen. John NJ King,
Judge H. B. Brown, Ashley Pound and Hon.
Alfred Russell, vice-chairmen; W. K. Muir and
Thomas Ferguson, secretaries; Hon. John S.
Newberry, treasurer.
This morning the formal receptions took
place at the Russell House, which is the head
quarters of the society. Through the courtesy
of the citizens Of Detroit, carriages were
placed at the disposal of the disabled veterans.
After the formalities of the reception, the va
rious CORPS formed and marched to the respec-
tive places assigned them for meetings, to
transact their respective corps business.
At o'clock p. m. the Society of the Army
of the Potomac held its business meeting in
Music Hall.
In the evening, at 7:30 o'clock, the society at
the head, followed by other ex-soldiers and
sailors, started from the Russell House and
marched to Music Hall, preceded by band Of
music. AS soon as all the ex-soldiers and
sailors were seated the hall was thrown open
for the admission of those citizens who were
provided with tickets.
The president of the society, Gen. Charles
Devens, Jr., called the meeting to order, and
prayer was offered by the chaplain, Rev.
George Taylor.
Gen. Devens then introduced the Governor
of Michigan, Hon. David II. Jerome, who was
present with his staff in uniform, and made
the address of welcome.
The Governor was greeted with much ap-
plause, and, when the cheering ceased the
president next introduced Hon. William G.
Thompson, the mayor of Detroit, who well
coined the veterans most cordially to the city.
Gen. Devens then made most eloquent re-
ply to the welcoming addresses of the Gov
ernor of Michigan and the mayor Of Detroit.
He thanked them, not only as the head OF the
society, but also personally, for the cordiality
Of the reception.
Music succeeded these courteous formalities,
and then the poet of the occasion, John Boyle
O'Reilly Of Boston was presented and read
beautiful poem entitled america" The
reading was greeted with prolonged applause
Some very beautiful singing, accompanied
by music, was rendered as a supplementary TO
the grand rythm of the poem, which was a
great success. The orator Of the day was then
introduced in the person of Gen. Z. S. Bragg,
member Of Congress from Wisconsin, whose
speech was frequently applauded.
Numerous generals and others made ad-
dresses, after which the exercises terminated.
At night grand campfire was held in Music
Hall, which was q splendid affair.
THE GRAND PARADE.
On Wednesday, the 18th, the Grand Parade
took place The day could not have been
more favorable for the parade in honor Of the
veterans of the Potomac The line of march
was promptly formed, and the procession took
its way over the designated route. The
streets were everywhere lined with people,
and the appearance Of the more prominent
soldiers was the signal for an outburst of ap-
plause Grant, Sheridan, Hayes, and Sickles
were each warmly greeted. The procession,
which was a mile and half long, was headed
by number of veterans, escorted by detach-
1nent of United States infantry from Fort
Wayne, and Of marines from the United States
steamer Michigan. Then followed the dis
tinguished guests in carriages, succeeded by
two battalions Of State troops comprising six
teen companies. After these came the Chicago
Board of Trade Guards and the Toledo Light
Artillery. In one large wagon the survivors
Of rebel prisons were carried, and attracted
great deal of attention. The whole display
was very fine. In the afternoon the veterans
took ride in ferry-boats on the river.
AT NIGHT THE EXERCISES CLOSED
with an elaborate banquet at Music Hall. Ex-
President Hayes responded TO the toast "Our
Country" In the course Of his remarks he held
that in the constant conflicts between human
welfare on the one hand and selfish ambition,
oppression, and despOtism on the other, il often
comes to pass that liberty, justice, enjoyment,
independence, and manhood are the results of
war. The members of this society, TO whom
the four years spent in fighting for Union and
freedom arc the most interesting of their lives.
will consider with peculiar pleasure the oues-
ton, "What does our country owe to the
issues Of the war;" 1t would hardly bo
claimed that those great results which. united
form our county as it now is are works Of
peace OF achievments of the pen. Neither
Webster's great exposition Of the constitutional
duties Of the citizen, nor Everett's eloquent
defense Of the Union, was sufficient to estab
lish the
SUPREMACY OF THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT,
or save the Union when secession and slavery
took arms against them. And it is now plain
that there was no refuge from disunion in the
paths Of peace, and no escape from slavery but