National Republican., 1883-05-17
AT THE NATIONAL THEATER.


AT THE NATIONAL THEATER.
The evening meeting began little after 8
o'clock. The decorations of the theater ap-
peared to greater advantage in the full glare
of the gaslight than in the day. Flags and
streamers and pennants, banners and guidons
and shields encirclod tho stage were looped
and festooned around the boxes, and swathed
gallery walls in garlands and coils and man
ties of particolors. Over the front of the
stage, set in frame of flags, was the
portrait Of Gen. Grant, with the
word Appomattox beneath, above
welcome army of the Potomac" At the
west end of the stage the figures 1851"
sprang out of a bed of evergreens, and at the
west end in q similar bed was placed 1865.
Sherman's portrait occupied place over the
west tier Of boxes, while Lieut.. Gen. Sheridan
faced him from tho opposite corner. The
names OF all the prominent battles of the
army of the Potomac, from Bull Run to Ap-
pomattox inscribed on shields encircled the
auditorium in double row from one extremity
ofthestage to theoth Efiigics ofcannon, with
armed soldiers and sailors, guarded each wing
Of tho stage, and two pillars at other end
bore inscribed the names of the army COM
manders and prominent corps generals, Back
on the stage, against the farther wall, rose
tne elngy OF u monumental stOnei on Wnlch
the inscription ran, In Memoriam, lS521S3
Maj. J. b. Atchison, Gen. A. Il. Burnside,
Gen. S. Burbank, Col. q. w. Bradley,
Capt. w. d. Brennan, Col Gouverneur
Carr, Capt J. Newton Dickson, Col. George
p. Foster, Col. A. Farnsworth, Florence
Bleyler, Gen. J. Fitzpatrick, Gen. p. p. Bixby,
Capt. John II. Brinter." The muster roll Of
last years dead. Secretary and Mrs. Lincoln,
and Postmaster General Gresham occupied
the lower west box.
The army nurses wero out in full force,
headed by the founder of the society, Miss G.
V. Ransom, Miss DIR. Susan Edison, Miss Dame,
and others. Con. Ayers had assigned them Il
prominent place in tho dress circle directly
in front of the stage. Many of the nurses
were warmly greeted by the manned veterans
who had been watched over and cared for by
them while in the hospitable.
On the stage, which was fully occupied,
among many others were Gems Webb, Hum
phrcys, Rosecrans, Weaver, MacAIahon, Adam
King, Wright, Van Vliet, Ayres, Mcintosh,
Mckee Dunn, II. w. Slocum, Green b. Raum,
Carmen, H. c. King Clarke, Zeilin, T. T.
GrittGnden, ordway, Barnumm, Tyler, Locke,
Truesdell Capt. Burritt, Capt. Joyce, Maj.
Steiner, Hon. M. Maginnis, the orator of the
evening; George Alfred Townsend, the poet
of the occasion; District Commissioners Ed
monds, Capt. Richard Hoxic, Judge Mac
Arthur, Commissioner Loring, Capt. Phelps,
II. ]. Ramsdell, J. O. Thompson, Prof Hill
gard, J., b. Carson, Senator ingalls,, Con.
Francis A. Walker, w. II. Trescot, John A,
Bak er, ind Speaker Keifer.
The Welcome.
Gen. Humphreys called the meeting Ia
order and Introduced Commissioners Ed.
monds, who made the address of welcome
During his speech Gen. Sherman came in and
was greeted with tumultuous applause.
GENTLEMEN OF THE SOCIETY OF. THE Army oI
THE Potomac; In behalf of the citizens of Wash
| iugtOn, Including the resident members OF youl
society, am requested TO welcome you to thiI
| city,
You all know how poorly words express the vel
come generous hearts 10 old friends even in every
| day life. How then can tell the pleasure will
which this city greets It's former defenders through
| years Of danger
| in is days OF weakness has doubtless made for 1
| a warm place In your affections, which is recip
| rocated with a sentiment of regard and reverence
for you ouch as the ward enlertains toward IL
faithful guardian, or a child for It's parent, auC
you have corresponding welcome.
| How much less adequate must be any expression
of the hearty welcome you have from old com
rades, who amer long separation now greet you a
iheIr homes midway between SetGyI66srg GS6S gLn an,
names ike your own, are made immortal by you
| deeds Of yalor.
and are aware Of emotions that sthe utterance
| We see that your thoughts have gone back int
| the past, and In memory you live over the day
| that really tried mems souls,
Again in fancy you hear the vain proclamation
| Of folly and rashness that our beloved unioni II
constitution, and laws are at an end2
| Again you make adieus ut homo and fall into
ranks firmly resolved 70 do and dare, TO suffer anC
die ii need be- for your country, and In defense
| the goodly heritage from your fathers.
Againi In memory you rendeyouz at the nationa
capital and begin your years OF weary marching
and Watching and OF terrible battles again Tecal
the well remembered forms and faces iless fortu
nate comrades who fell by your side, and were no
| permitted TO see, save with tho eye OF faith, tn
final triumph OF the good cause borne 70 success
ful conclusion by your indomitable courage
Again you revive the happy days OF your gTea
foated save the stars and stripes OF a redeeme
union When you again assembled at this CAPITA
for final review and farewell, and TO receive tn
thanks and plaudlts OF a grateful nation, and the
you retired TO your homes with a quiet dignity
matched only by that OF the great men VIII
achieved our national Independence.
In the presence OF such men, whose deeds crow
the pages OF history speech Is too slow and is onl
n clog upon the swim thoughts and memories the
tiit before us. We wlll therefore limit words to
simple prayer that you may long live TO see
united and happy people enjoy lhe benehoer
fruits OF your tolls, and 10 receive lhelr blesslhe
therefor, even from your recent adYersAries,
In this city, as indissolubly linked with you
name and fame as with the Potomac itselI, an
which now blooms before you as beautiful as "
country and institutions IL symbolizes, you an
your guests will over have welcome as cordial I
II Is deserved and appropriate.
The Poem.
At the conclusion OF Judge Edmondss ad
dross Gen. Humphreys introduced Mr. Gee
J Alfred Townsend, who recited the poem