Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-06-20
ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
Gen. Grant Unanimously Elected Press
fdent of the Society.

} Brooklyn welcomed the Society of the
Army of the Potomac in grand style, We'd
nesday. The city was gay with bunting in
honor o. the veterans. The city hall and
court house were tlutter with the flags Of
all nations and the emblems of the various
army corps. The buildings around about
were fcstooned and hung with banners The
headquarters, the Academy Of Music, were
open for the reception OF members at 0
o'clock, and at 1890 the various corps held
meetings in the court house for the election
of officers and other business. Gen. Han
cock was greeted wherever he appeared with
effective demonstrations. In the little
speeches he made, he complimented the war
riors upon their rugged and hearty appear
aucc and they might with sincerity have
returned the compliment. His complexion
was fresh and clear, and his eye bright. The
business meeting of the society was opened
| at o'clock in the Academy Of Music. The
boxes and balconies were decorated with
banners and portraits of military heroes, and
the stage was set for 1 camp scene, with
howltZers, stacked muskcts and tents
Suspended over the centre were gas Jets,
making the words, "Welcome Army of the
Potomac" and hanging from the gas jets
was portrait of Lincoln. The President,
Gen. John B.. Newton, after call
| ing the meeting to order, said the
constitution required that Cushing's Man
ual should be the law governing
the soclety's deliberations, but inasmuch
as there were probably not two members
present who had ever seen Cushing's Manual,
the society would have to fall back upon
common sense He inaugurated this par
;,,, Il ri
carried as soon as the affirmative votes had
been gwen, without giving the nays chance.
1t was quite satisfactory to the veterans, who
checrcd the ruling with much ardor. Under
the generals nimble strategy in dOIging par
lIamcntary Instructions, business proceeded
at Il bcwidvrirg pace. When the election
of officers was reached, the name of Gen.
GIaut was pr, scntcd by the representatives
of half n dozen or more corps. The cheer
ing drowned out several more voices
that struggled to he heard IN his
behalf Gen Hartrauft's voice was among
those thus drowned out. When Capt.
John Foley of Massachusetts pat in loud
voiced objccibn 10 Gcu Grant, there was
a scene OF wild confusion for a moment
The name of the Injector WAS augIily de
AMI there was request from Gen.
Jardinc to know whether he was n member
Df the Potomac Army Soc ETY.. Capt.
Foley With much heat and fcllaut slap
upon his badge, declared that he was a mem
Der. Then he Withdrew his objection, AMI
Gen. Grant was chosen. \ committee of
which Gen. Slocum was chairman, Tent to
Inc Brooklyn club, where the general was
being entertained at luncheon, 10 notify
lim, When lie appeared llmpng painfully
Town the stage on his crutchos, tiere was
much applause. H. mentioned hi Il health
excused himself from further a, ,udance,
md soon went away. Thee was an ami
mated debate over the selection Of n place
where the next reunion Should he held.
Richmond was one of the applicants for the
honor, and this led To some remarks not COM
ELEMENTARY TO the hospitality Union soldiers
we're likely to receive there. The poi that
}rant led the army there 20 years ago, and
hould lead it again, failed to overcome the
learty letters of welcome that were read
rom Baltimore aud Baltimore wen he prize.