The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-04-17
Grand Celebration

Grand Celebration.
WASHINGTON, April ia special
camp fire of the department of the
Potomac Grand Army of the Re- |
public was held in the masonic temple |
tonight, in commemoration of the OPP |
erationS against Vicksburg. Gen. j. r. |
HawleY presided, and all the posts of |
the grand army in the city were ref
resented in the assemblage, which
numbered about 1,20O or 1,50O persons.
Among the guests present, and who
had seats upon the platform, were:
President Arthur. General Grant, Sec
rotary Lincoln, Generals Logan, Van
Welt, Vernon, Raum, Double
day, VIM. Mckee, Dunn, Dudley,
and Hasen, Representative Mckinley,
Judge Lawrence, and others. Gen.
Grant, walking with the aid of a
crutch, entered the hall at the head of
the invited guests. He was greeted
with the widest applause, the as
sembly rising and sending forth cheer
after cheer, and continuing the
ovation until the president had
taken his seat on the platform.
Comrade ID. S. Alexander, depot COM
mander, opened the exercises with a
brief speech in which he congratula-
ted the department on the presence of
so many distinguished guests, repre-
reSenting nearly all the departments of
the Grand Army of the Republic and
especially upon the presence of one who
he denominate the gIandest chief
that represented the union, and illu-
sion to whom was the signal for a
repetition of the cheers which greeted
the entrance of Gen. Grant. He then
introduced the presiding officer, Gen.
| Hawley, who was greeted with ap-
plause, and who spoke briefly. He
said such meetings as this were pro-
! ductive of much good. They were
good for the perpetual memories they
commemorated for the country. It
was twenty-three years to-day since
word was sent to fire upon Fort
Sumter, and that it must surrender
twenty-three years tomorrow since
the rebels opened fire upon US.
Then there was great struggle be-
fore the country, and God only knew
whether it was to be adivided country
or not. He thought after four years
desperate struggle between the bravest
soldiers on both sides that ever drew
breath, the men who composed this
assemblage, and similar ones, had a
right to come together sometimes and
look back at these things without
being accused of boasting to
congratulate themselves, and to shake
hands and thank God that the great
and small alike, each counted one in
the greatest struggle on record an6
the most glorious cause that was evel
fought. Gen. Hawley then intro
duced Gen. Logan, who, on coming
forward, was greeted with warmth
and his speech was many times inter
rupted by applause. While he was
making his speech President Arthur
and Secretary Robert T. Lincoln
entered the hall, and as soon as theil
presence was made known the assem-
blage arose and cheered them loudly
until they reached the platform, the
marine band, stationed in the gallery
meanwhile playing Hail to the
Chief" When the president and sec
rotary had reached the platform the
presiding officer called for three cheer;
for the president, which were given
and for three cheers for the son OF
Abraham Lincoln, which were also
given with will.
Logan closet his description of the
C .aIpaign with the statement that the
accomplishments and achievements
of the late war have no parallel in the
history of the world.
After the assemblage had sung
Marching through Georgia" led by
Gen. Hawley,
GENERAL GRANT
was called for, and on coming for
ward, was greeted with three times
three cheers. He said he was thank
full for the welcome accorded him land
had been greatly pleased by the inter
estlng story of the campaign given by
General Logan. President Arthur
and others also spoke, and altogether
the proceedings were highly interest
ing.
| rIhn Murdar. of Henry llaNlAH.