The Portland daily press., 1885-06-25
IN CITY HALL.
Public Reception to Mrs. Sherwood
Last Night.

At FIVE minutes to o'clock last night
women wearing the badges of the National
Woman's Relief Corps, began to collect at
Mechanics Hall. Some passed up stairs at
once, others stood around the Congress street
entrance in groups, greeting the sisters as
they arrived.
AT twenty-five minutes past seven the drum
major of .Maitland's band of Brockton hove
in sight, throwing his staff to the music of
one Of Massachusetts finest bands, and right
behind came Fletcher Webster Post No. 10,
OF Brockton, Mass, the guard of honor for
the occasion. They marched up, counter
marched in front Of the hall, and, drawing
up in line, the white gloyed veterans waited
for the girls to come down.
At five minutes to eight the ladies were in
the street, the band began to play, the vet
Grams wheeled into column and the Woman's
Relief Corps was under way for CityHall
two abreast and marching as if they had
been through Georgia with Sherman.
At O'Clock they were there, and twenty
minutes later seated. The band took the
upper stage, and below them Mrs. Kate
Sherwood of Toledo, Ohio, President of the
National Woman's Relief Corps, and other
officers and past officers of the corps to the
right and left of her, occupied the platform.
AT the extreme left, as an honorary guest,
sat Past Commanders Chief, G. A. R., Paul
Van Dewoort of Nebraska.
At twenty minutest past eight Gen. Logan,
entering with Mrs. Logan at his side, was
the occasion of general cheering on the
part OF the audience. They We're met by
President Sherwood, who detained the Gem
eral in conversation, while Mrs Logan, es-
cotted by Past Commander Paul Van Der
WORT, was introduced to some Of the guests
on the platform. Gen. Logan seated himself
by Commander Kountz, who had arrived,
and engaged in conversation with Past Com
mander Robert b. Beath of Philadelphia ut
whose side Mrs. Logan seated herself
President Sherwood opened the reception
by stating that the band would play 1'war
memories for the delight of the audience.
John Brown" Marching Through
Georgia, and the other standard tunes de-
lighted the people greatly, who seemed % to
think they improved with age.
President Sherwood stated that the recep-
tion was to the Grand Army of the Republic
and to the Woman's Relief Corps of Maine,
and rendered by the Woman's Auxiliary of
the National G. A. r. Commander Kolntz
would respond for the G. A. r. Mrs. Whit
man Sawyer of Portland for the Relief CORPS
of Maine. 1t also gave her great pleasure to
Introduce a comrade of the G. "A. K. who was
mustered in 25 years ago, who left his posi-
ton OF honor in Washington to take the field
with his comradesi in Illinois-Gen John A.
Logan.
The audience got up and cheered, but the
General sat still and calculated "NO! Nor !;
but Past President, E. Florence Barker, Of
Maiden, Mass, who sat near pulled him onto
his feet amid renewed cheers. But the Gen.
eral, who was not ready to speak, said, 81
would not be playing the part of a true soldier
If allowed myself to interpose and inter-
fere in any way with the programme of this
occasion. You will, therefore, let the pro-
gramne. proceed; and when my time arrives
it viii give me great pleasure to do so.'
Mrs. SherwoOd's s address of welcome illus
trated the condition of the Woman's Relief
Corps and ended with plea that all the or
ganiZdtl0ns of a similar nature in the country
should be welded into one order Finishing
her address she turned and said, "And now
| Introduce to You the Drummer bOy of
Mission Ridge" whom she referred to as
friend OF the Woman's Relief Corps.
Commander k0untZ was received with ap-
plauSe and thanked the ladies for the honor
they extended to the Grand Army; compli-
mented the loyal ladies of the land through
whose efforts largely 100000 had been ex-
pended for charity by the g. A. X. organiza-
ton during the past year; and again thanked
the ladies for their Sympathy and co-opera-
ton.
The Shubert quartette club, of Chicago.
composed OF veterans so delighted the audi
ence with the soldiers farewell that they
were encored until the consented to pacify
the audience with song of less pathetic
but equally acceptable nature.
freSldent sherwood took great pleasure TO
lntroduceMrS. Sawyer, because the Maine
members of the National Corps with such
generous hospitality.
Mrs. Sawyer thanked the president with
well wOrded address in behalf of the State
Corps OF Maine. Although not heard
through the entire hall she was ap-
plauded by the audience, who were fellow
workers IN the same cause and sympathized
with the sentiments of the speaker whom
they could not hear; and President Sher-
wood stated that her address would be print
ed IN the minutes of the Corps and distribut-
ed to the members.
General Logan next lcame forward to do
1ne pleasant duty which he had promised.
Inc audience cheered again and the dark
haired soldier spoke while Mrs. Logan
watched him lntently, marking his periods
Win an approving nod, while the audience
marked them with appla lse
p.,i1s LadIes H and gentlemen and ladies of the
heleI corps, he began, Il feel highly hon
ored in being invited to say word in behalf
OF what the ladies have done to advance the
cause of charity among the veterans of the
Grand Army Of the Republic. When it is
expected that men can accomplish much
without the assistance of the women a great
mistake is made; and especially in whatever
tends to civllize and christianize mankind is
always seen the hands of the women of the
land. LApplause.J That which they have
done for the Grand Army sufferers is much.
anu anu we are sincerely, intensely grateful fOr
them Tor their services. Not a soldier who
Is within the sound of my voice does not re-
memDer, II ever he was a sufferer with a
burning fever, if ever he was prostrated bv
an enemy's shot, II ever he was on the couch