The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-05-29
The Old Veterans.

THE 9TH WELCOMING THE 2STH.-
A GENEROUS AND CORDIAL GREETING
FROM THE OLD DOMINION WELCoMTNG
ADDRESSES AND ELOQUENT RESPONSES.
Our report last week of the visit OF our
northern friends closed with the arrival OF
the guests on Wednesday evening. 1hey
came in tired. worn out and hungry. the
train that should have reached Staunton at
five O'Clock in the evening not having
pulled into the depot until after eight. In
the darkness it was impossible.to carry out
the programme as arranged, and consld-
cradle confusion ensued, but the visitors
bore their inconvenience with Spartan
fortitude, seeming to take in the difficulties
under which their hosts labored, and dong
everything i'll their power to relieve the
embarrassment. Notwithstanding Their
fatigue, they We're bright, and CHEEKY and
happy, making themselves doubly welcome
to the homes they entered.
ON THURSDAY,
our streets presented lively appearance.
Thousands of people from the surrounding
country added to the crowd of city resi-
dents that thronged the sidewalks, WIN
dows and porches. forcing those who
desired to pass into the middle OF the
street. where with no little difficulty car
riage way was kept open. All along the
principal thoroughfares gay banners were
streaming, the profnsion and variety OF
national flags transforming every house
front into crazy quilt of red, white and
blue. Main Street from Lewis to Market
was one continuous display OF bunting,
banners and rich coloring, some Of the
store decorations being real works of art.
Hamaker, corner of Main and New, bore
off the prize, his beautiful store present.
ing a tasteful arrangement and pro-
fusion of decoration that was credita-
Bile to the city. In front of GladFe S
a handsome arch WAS formed across the
street by the meeting OF two mam-
moth flags III the centre and the looping
up of the ends tt The houses on either
side. Both OF these flags came from Wash
ington one from the Capitol and the other
from the Quarternaster department. AS
the veterans passed under ,hem. they rev.
erentiy lifted their hats. and wien the Old
battle. SCARED banner was lowered beneath
the arch IL wild cheer went up from the
crowd. The wagons, carriages and horses,
about the streets were deckel with flags,
and wherever the eye turned 1t met the
national colors catching every breeze.
THE PROCESSION
WAS formed OH New Court street. ut about
10 o'clock, Chief Marshal Col. II. j. Will
liamS of the old 18th. commanding. His
Assistants were Col. A. w. IIarman and
Captains i. e. Wilson and J. N. McFar-
land. The 5tI Veterans We're under COM
mand of Vice President Z. NJ. Smiley. and
Col. Brown GONE Man(leG fhe New York
Veterans. The cOiuMH ss9ytael eff in the
following order: Stonewali Brigade Band,
Prof. Webb, leader, Stanton Artillery,
Capt. Long commanding carriages con-
tanning speakers and distinguished guests ;
Veterans of the old 9Th and Veterans OF
the 2Sth New ork visiting guests, citi-
zens in carriages and on foot. AS the column
moved along the streets the 2sth New
York was cheered at every crossing, and
when the old bullet-piereed flag vas flung
to the breeze it was greeted with royal
salute. The visitors were a fine looking
body of men and marched with the pre-
cision of q cadet corps. All along the
route they were eheered, tRe SHOUTS OF the
populace half drowning the booming cam
non which from time to time made the
surrounding hills echo Virginia's welcome
to the children of the Empire State.
THE OPERA HOUSE.
just before IL o'clock, the column filed
into the Opera House, the band playing
national air and the gallant old battle flag
Of the 2sth floating above the ''boys" who
had horne 1t 90 bravely on many holly
contested field. When the Veterans of both
regiments and the northern Visitors PAD
been comfortably seated, the doors were
thrown open to the public and in Q few
moments every foot Of available space was
occupied, and hundreds had to be turned
away from the door. The hall was beau
tifglly decorated with flags and bunting
and garllandeq With graceful festoons of
evergreen. Above the piliaFs that support
the gallery were placed the wreathed mot
toes apq goats Of arms Of all the States.
New YORK held held the place Of honor above
the centre of the stage, whilst Qp either
side Virginia and West Virginia stood
sentinel. The general effect was most
happy.
When order had been restored, Major
Newton, President of the 5th Regiment
Association, called the meeting to order
with the following greeting
REMARKS OF MAJOR NEWTON.
Gentlemen Of tue 20M N. z. Volunteers, and
" 5th Fjggi,ptQ Igy}faatry,
Ladies aaad Gea4septep?
The object of this meeting is SO well and
widely known, that it is needless for me 70
consume time in giving 1t further explanation.
The saying is common one that 1--WE are in
the hands of our friends" Let us reverse the
order of the speech and say-Our friends who
have been our enemies and, now in truth again
cur friends are now in our hands. APP
nlause.J
~ Twelve months age alQid the thunders of the
waters of Niagara 7 had the honor Of
standing before the 2Sth New York Veterans4-
said I thanked God had lived to see the
day that enabled me to view those surround
ings, to meet you and to greet you. as friends
and brethren of common humanity and dis
charge the most pleasant duty of my life. If
happy then, what must be my feelings now,
When ABOUT TO call to order this meeting-in |
the leading city Of the Shenandoah n; Valley,
under the shadow of my own bone, in the
county whereia was born and reared, and
the home of many of the surviving members
of the gallant and warworn 9th Virginia Infan-
try, whose guests you are to day. l congrat
ulate myself and my friends that we have this
peculiar pleasure of looking into your faces
again and extending the fraternal greeting
and when | utter the words, 1--WE are delighted
TO meet you" I do not aim to use the mere for
nal terms of courteous expression, but speak
forth thu words Of trktL and sincerity
This occasion is one Of prime lmpoetanee,
for the reason that 1T ie the first fine since oir
lats bitter struggle that we have received 3
visit of courtesy and friendship from the SOL
diers of the North This kind and humane
appeal to our better feelings, affecting as it
does, our better Judgment will not be without
its fruits. For if by nature we are not more
susceptible to the influence of kindness and
Cancellation than we are to force, we would be
unworthy the name of Freemen. Therefore
We take yqN by the hand with warm, firm