St. Landry democrat., 1884-08-16
HONORING THE HEROES
Reception to the Survivors of tho GreelS
Expedition and their Rescuers at Ports"
mouth, New HarnpShire-A Fitting Well
come, Warm as Proud Hearts Could Make

reception TO TIE -3ECLiS AclOSS yCSICAN1J .
The streets were filled early with visiting
organizations, military aRd civic. From
the navy were the apprentice boys from
the training ships at Portsmouth and
jamestown. The Dewitt Clinton Com
mandery and Nswburyport Commandery
made a fine appearance.
At IL 800 a. IN. steam launch ran up
to Navy Landing, and Greedy and three
of his men stepped on the wharf. They
were received by the committee and
spectators with uncovered heads. Greedy.
walked feebly, supported by a naval
officer, and his brother, John A. Greedy.
The party was driven to the grand stand.
Lieutenant Greedy expressed desire
not to be separated from his men.
The procession started at 1l:45, being
viewed by Greedy and his men from the
grand stand. TIE crowd was immense,
no estimate being possible. Cheer after
cheer arose as the men OF the Thetis,
Bear and Alert passed by, and louder
cheers saluted Commanders Schley, Coffin
and Emery. At noon q salute from the
Navy Yard added its tribute.
The most beautiful and touching fea-
ture of the day occurred when Hewitt,
Clinton and the NewbuFyportc commander
les reached the stand. As they passed with
uncovered heads, Lieutenant and Sir
knight Greedy repeatedly waved his
hand and bowed with smiles of affection.
When they reached a central position in
front of the stand the communicates
countermarched, halted and saluted
Lieutenant Grrely. Then one OF the
bands played '.See the Conquerlng Hero
Comes"
There was a pause; then the other bano
played the soft music OF "Home, Sweet
Home,'' the effect being beautiful in the
extreme. The survivors looked their.
thoughts as the food of recollec-
tions swept through their minds,
while the music played, and when IL
ceased the emotion OF the multi
tude of spectators found vent in
most enthusiastic cheers. Cheer after
cheer was called for and given
with '' tigers y for Lieutenant
Greedy and his men. Then the band OF
one of the Communicates played "Auld
Lang Syne," and the procession moved
on. As soon as the Templars had passed,
Lieutenant Greedy re-entered the car.
riage with his wife and was driven
to the Admira's house. The other sur.
vivors followed soon after.
Music Hall was packed in the evening.
The stage was filed with dignitaries.
AS each appeared the audience burst
into applause, ex-Speaker Randall, Benz.
F. Butler and Commander Schley
receiving the heartiest demonstrations.
General Butler was greeted with three
cheers.
Conspicuous among those on the plat
form, besides the above, were Congress
man Robinson, of Brooklyn, ex-Secretary
Robson, Governor Hale, Secretary
Chandler, General Hazen, Admiral Luce,
Hon. Frank Jones and Captain Mitchell,
of the United States steamer Ga!latin.
Rev. w. A. mckinley acted as Chair
man, and at $3.50 Rev. DR.. Alden offered
prayer, making touching mention of the
dead and rendering deep thanksgiving for
the preservation of those who were
rescued. Mayor Treat then delivered an
address of welcome on behalf of the city
to the rescued, the rescuers and all
the visitors, saying the courage,
the fortitude and skill evinced
by the officers and men of this expedition
have furnished another illustration of the
truth that "peace hath her victories no
less renowned than war; Rev. H. L.
Hovey followed with welcome
from the citizens, expressing their
pride that two Portsmouth boys were
among the rescuers, and assuring
the survivors that however mag liticent
their future oyations might be, none
would be more truly from The heart than
their first by citizens of Portsmouth.
Secretary Chandler was then intro.
duced. He gave history of the Greedy
and the relief expeditions, saying: tOur
first duty Is to pay our tribute
OF praise and of mourning to
those devoted men who, having
completed their two years of fruitful
labor came southwark to Cabe Sa-
bine, and after months of
starvation, borne with heroic
fortitude aud patience, persisted as truly
on the field of duty as if they had met
their fate at the lannon's mouth. The
people of the United States look back on
their record with q just, but mournfI
pride, and whenever, throughout the
world, the story of their heroic endeavorS
and sufferings is told, the memory of
these martyrs to duty will forever be cher
lshed and held in honor. With special |
tenderness, we turn to Lieutenant Greedy |
and his comrades, the only survivors
of an American Arctic exploring party |
which reached out further toward the |
pole than any previous explorers. For |
their labor and their endurance we honor |
them; for their sufferings we give |
them our pity and sympathy; and to |
comfort, cheer and encourage them, we |
promise them the gratitude of
their Government and their countrymen.
The balance of his speech was |
devoted to extending the heartfelt |
thanks of the Government and the coun-
try to the rescuers, calling each OF the
three commanders by name and extend |