The bee., 1884-06-14
THE WASHINGTON CADETS.
CELEBRATING THEIR 4TH ANNIvER.
sARY. OVER 5000 PEOPLE WIT
NESS THE PARADE SPEECHES BY
DISTINGUISHED MEN. Pic
MIC. AND BANQUET, AT
VAN NESS PARK.
CAPT. FLEET
WOOD HoNoRED.

The Washington Cadet Corps celebrated
their Fourth Anniversary Thursday by a
grand street parade, picnic and banquet at
the Van Ness Park. Never before in the his
tory of colored military in the District of Co
lumbia, has there ever been such display
of the military. At 6 O'Clock in the vicinity
of Eighth and streets was alive with peo-
pie at which place the parade formed.
The line of march was along G to Ninth
Ninth to Pennsylvania avenue. Avenue to
Fifteenth Fifteenth to Vermont Avenue,
Vermont Avenue to I5H ST. to Pennsylvania
Avenue, Avenue to 18th ST.. 18th street to
the Van Ness Park. The following compa-
nies were in line: the washington Cadet
Corps, so men; Co. A Capital City Guard, Capt
Thomas Kelley; Commanding, 36 men; Co. B
Capital City Guard, Captain, Gray Command
ing. 25 men.
After their arrival at the Park, the National
Band played several National airs, which
were highly complemented. Capt. c. A Fleet
wood introduced Hon. John r. Lynch, of
Mississippi, who said that he did not come to
make speech, but merely to introduce the
speaker of the occasion, Prof. r. T. Greener.
At the conclusion of the remarks of Mr.
Lynch, Prof. Greener was introduced and de-
livered an address which was greatly applaud
ed. A most characteristic speech was made
by General Robert Smalls OF South Carolina,
Hon. James 0'Hara was the last speaker
after which the many hundred people enjoy
ed themselves by dancing, while several
officers and other invited guests ware in the
Hotel of the Van Ness Park. of which Mr.. Mar
ceus West, brothers, and MIR Grimes are
proprietors, enjoying banquet that had been
prepared by the Cadets. Capt. Fleetwood
presided in most dignified manner.
The first speaker was Gen'l Smalls, who
made neat little speech; Hon. James O'Hara
followed; Hon. w, A. Pledger. of Ga, was
next introduced who spoke in complimentary
terms OF the success of the Cadets and the
energy of Captain Fleetwood; Prof. r. T.
Greener was called upon to respond to the
toast, 'Our CoIored Militia" which was done
in an eloquent style. Calls were made for
Mr.. w Calvin Chase, who,on being introduced,
by Capt. Fleetwood said that when the
scheme was first 'inaugurated to have
Capt. Fleetwood to succeed another gentle
man, he presumed it to be an unwise one, but
since then, said MIR. Chase, find that Capt.
Fleetwood is the master of the situation, and
has one of the best companies in the country.
him in glowing colors and also the Washing
ton Rifles, who had been so kind to our
colored companies. Mr., Hamilton Smith, of
the "Boston Hub" introduced Mr.. NJ. b. Mo-
ton, of Ga, young man of refinement, and
popularity in his State, who was delegate to
the Chicago Convention and one OF the faith
ful ones in the Georgia delegation. MIR. Motion
said that he could not add anything TO what
had been said, but would endorse the senti-
ments of Col. Pledger. Other speeches were
made by Messrs. Hamilton, Smith. Major
Fisher, Capt. T. S. Kelley, Lieut.. w. Joyce,
Rev. A. NJ. Green. Capt VIM. p. Gray. Capt.
Fleetwood introduced Mr.. James Payne (after
brief history of him. rs the father of the
Cadets. Mr.. Payne was enthusiastically ap-
plauded. Complimentary addresses were made
by Mr.. Phil Martin and Mr.. Irven of the
Washington Rifles. Among the many who
were seated around the table were Lieut.. Pete
Meredith, Major Fisher, Rev. A. M. Green
Mr.. John II. Smith, Lieut. Arthur Brooks,
Lieut.. Brown and many others. At a late
hour the company dispersed and participated
in the festivities out side.