The Portland daily press., 1885-06-24
THE RECEPTION.
Full Report of the Gathering In City
Nall asst Night,

Hall Last Night.
City Hall filed slowly in the evening. and
very few seats were occupied when the time
set for the opening of the meeting came.
Chandler's band stationed in the gallery
played choice selections at frequent inter-
yals The audience rapidly increased after
eight O'Clock. At $50 when the distinguish
ed guests came upon the platform, every seat
was taken and large crowd was closely
packed by the enterance doors. Commander
Kountz was recognized as he assembled the
steps with Gen. Hall and warmly greeted,
and when Gen. Logan was recognized NOM
ent later the audience broke into enthusias-
tic applause and cheers. Arm in arm with
Gen. Logan came Gen. Alger of Michigan,
followed by Gov. Robie and Mayor Deering.
Among other distinguished veterans upon
the platform were Gen. Slocum of n. T.,
Gen. Fairchild of Wisconsin, Gen. Anthony
of Kansas, Comrade Austin, Judge Advocate
General of the Grand Army, AleOrn, Adiu-
tant General of the Grand Army, Dr. Gordon
and Major H. $. Melcher were among the
Portland gentlemen on the platform.
Gen. Hall rose promptly to introduce Gov.
RObie The Governor was greeted with Wig
orous applause as he came before the audi
ence. His speech met with hearty well
come his references to Gems. KOuntz and
Logan calling out hearty cheers. He said;
Members of the Grand army Of the Repubiic, Citt-
se,s Of the United States, Ladies and Gentle
The grand occasion which has brought us TO
gether Is remarkable in everything connected
with II, and furnishes abundant material for elo-
quenee and inspiring thought. / must, however
be brief and leave many subjects for the superior
ability Of the distinguished soldiers and states
men who win follow me. The part which has
been assigned to me is of an official character,
and it becomes my pleasant duty as Chief hagis-
trate Of the State OF Maine in behalf Of our citt
zens who are scattered over its wide domain,
whether present or absent, 10 welcome the war
worn veterans, soldiers and sailors OF the Grand
Army of the Republic, with words OF lofty cheers
to extend the right hand of fellowship from tho
State, and to Introduce these hon0red guests to
the warm embrace Of all our people. In extend
ing TO you officers and men of the G.. A. r., the
greetings, hospitality and admiration OF grateful
State, our hearts overflow with gratitude stllnu-
of my own fails to describe We remember your
loyalty, admire your achievements and honor you
for the success and glory which accompanied your
sacrifices ON the battlefelds and in naval engage
ments for this Union. You come among us as the
veteran representatives Of many states; from the
golden shores OF distant ocean; rom iar-On re-
giOnS Of lofty mountains rich in mineral wealth.
Of the prairie lands Of the West; from
the hanks and interyales of the Father
of Waters and its many tributaries; from the
sunny south; from the iaId VI William rem, uls-
tinguished for its noble history; from districts IN
that great and loyal State where the star Of EN-
plre still shines brightly; and from glorious New
England, around whose valleys, hills ana noun
tains cling the mighty memories OF the Rey0lu-
ton; and whose sons scattered all over TINS Union
to-day return to enjoy the fond remembranees OF
early life We welcome you back again, for your
presence sweIls the joyfulness of this occasion.
The sons of New England, wherever and however
located, have always loved the Union Vi our Ia
No oil raf fnr or ITniOD
of States has now but one domestic hearth, around
which the boys in blue from the bleak hills OF the
can gather and exciam in unison, This is my own
my native land" lu many Of the older states,
nave been erected testimonials and monuments
OF the grand ancestral virtues and achievements
OF earlier times. In the newer States, as the fruit
Of these early examples, we see the march OF en-
pire and power. The virtues and valor OF more
modern times as exemplified In the recent war
illustrates the hereditary character Of the great
American people. Let us not forget that we are
the distinguished representative men OF this
great National Government, who are wise
ests of the people. Ijoyfully welcometo this Com
monwealth the Honorable Governors OF several
of the States of this Nation, who have favored
us with their distinguished presence;
The United States is country of homes lovely
and desirable only by that ownership and content
ment which the Goddess OF Peace and universal
liberty furnishes, whose sovereignty has been Sc
cured largely by your own intrepdity, tested by
the sharp sword bayonet and unerring rifle. The
page of our eountrys history in letters Of living
light. We read in your countenances, and feel
In your presence, the varied experiences OF camp
life and the shock Of battle with rs mighty mem
orles. You have acted nobly your part, and have
gained such unfading laurels that il is high dis
tinetion for State TO be honered by your pres
ence. The veteran soldier and sailor did the hard
and dangerous work Of the war for the smallest
compensation, and without murmnT. He is
therefore worthy Of the highest honor on the
pinnacle 0ffame, and 1t is just that on public mem-
orial monuments OF brass and marble, he should
as the conspicuous figure for the gaze of an admir-
ing posteriIy, He represents that which Is noble
IN manhood, courage and honor, and he Is known
to all men as the savior Of the nation Welcome,
thrice welcome, the volunteer, veteran, private
soldier and sailor of the G. A. r. Welcome to our
heart OF hearts the noble and loyal women of our
land who more than all represent the fruit OF ex-
dted love and heroic sacrifice in their gift of hus
band son and brother on the altar Of our common
country heartily welcome 10 state tiAe mann
bers OF the Loyal Legion OF the United States, and
all of the brave officers who dignity this occasion
with their presence Among this distinguished
company we notice Onr steadfast friend and COM
rade, Gen. John A. Logan, who fought so many
hard and successful battles in that historic march
of Gen. Sherman to the Sea; and with peculiar
feelings of honor welcome the drummer boy Of
Mission Ridge, Gen. John s. KOuntZ who has stead
lily advanced in merit and position, and to-day is
at the head Of this most memorable of the worlds
military organizations, Commander of the Nation
al Eneampment OF the G.. A. II.
There are comrades we cannot welcome here to-
day, for many occupy 1.-The windOwleSs palace of
rest" They have passed the boundary OF life and
live beyond the river sweetly at peace with all
men; but 1t is a high consolation that those who
survive are permitted to hold silent and joyful
communion with the heroic and sacred dead. Clio
riOusly did many die on the battle field, on the
ocean and in the hospital, thereby fulfilling the
highest duty OF me which Is to die for ones coun-
memories are constantly and reverentiay with
us and we stand by. the solemn pledge, as long
life lasts to read along the roll OF honor, although
the silent response comes back, dead long ago
the field of battle and to scatter the earliest
flowers of spring upon their graves. / cannot re-
from 9Iln0InU
could be filled by that uncOrruptible patriot the
most distinguished soldier and military genius Of
the world, the tried statesman, Ulysses s. Grant,
our hearts would swell with rapture our voices
would cry aloud with the longest and lOudest
cheers He has the yeneration, confidence, and af-
fectiOn Of the whole nption and the undying love
of this united brotherhood. Prayers are constant
y ascending from the homes of all the people. that
his health may be restored and his unimpared
power of body and mind may be spared for the
good of the country, which his mighty leadership
has preserved: FINELY, veteran soldiers, what a
grandprocessiOn to-day move along the streets
of the Forest City Of Maine. The trees lifted their
branches to do you honor. The birds sang more
sweetly than ever Nature everywhere re1oiced
ana the tramp of your footsteps to the music OF
the Uniou was pleasant sound to our ears. Here
then, fellow SOLDIERS, IN view of the shore Of the
| great ocean which washes the New England coas
| where our Pilgrim Fathers first commenced an
| extended line of settlement, ON territory where
New England civilization began, and where the
sun of American liberty rose aud iinmOrtaliZed
Lexington, Concord and Bunker Hill, places now
dear to every American citizen; in this beautiful
4
| history and traditions Of over two hundred and
| fifty years; in this loyal State of Maine, which in
olden times sent One-third of its male population
| into the Continental Army, and more recently
| nearly seyenty-fye thousand young men, or one
4 fourth of the same population, into the Union Ar
N.Y. here let us build our camp fires, and hold so
/ cial communion together, and when the hour Of
/ farewell comes, may you depart leaving behind
| strong and abiding friendships with the best inn
preston, and with hearty cheer for the Pine Tree
| State
Mayor Deering was next introduced by
Gen. Hall and responded appropriately as
| follows:
| MAYOR DEERING's SPEECH.
Soldiers and Sailors of the Grand Army Of the
Republic in behalf of the citizens and in the name
| of the Forest City, bid you welcome to Portland
Soldiers that escaped the bullet and the sho
and shell of battle, the crueltes and prvations O
rebel prisons. Men that more than score oi
years ago bore the pain and torture OF fearfu
wounds. Soldiers that followed the flag through
all the tOrtures Of war until triumphant victor,
crowned your arms with the surrender ofthe rebe
army.
Sailors that carried the old flag in glory past the
batteries Of Vicksburg and the Lower Mississippi
that endured the murderOus fire of Sumter o
Morgan and a score of other battles Men tina
sent the Alabama, with her Stars and Bars to he
eternal home at the bottom Of the British Channel
| Sailors that never lowered the flag to rebel an,
I that