Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-08-13
THE VETERANS.
SECOND DAY OF THE GRAND
ARMY RECEPTION.
cepiions at the Art Gallery
and Aztec Club.

The hustle and excitement occasioned by
the advent of the Grand Army visitors is
ended, and the city has again returned to
its normal condition. All things con-
sidered, the occasion was one of the most
notable in the history of our city. Indeed,
it was of that exceptional character that
rarely occurs even in the cities of the older
settled States east of the Missouri river. 1t
was the incoming of representatives of the
survivors OF the armies recruited quarter
Union to do battle in defense of the ma
TONS perpetuity. Our guests were of the
men whom we-on these distant shores of
the Pacific-knew only through the
published accounts of their valor on the
plains of Shiloh and ON the ensanguined
slopes of Lookout Mountain who rallied
from disorder in the valley of the Shenan-
doah, and followed the gallant Sheridan to
glorious victory who, under the guidance
of Grant, won Donelson and Vicksburg;
or shed their blood freely in the seven days
battles of the Wilderness; the men who
went from the mountain Businesses OF the
loyal North, from the broad prairies OF the
West, and even from the everglades OF the
South-at the patiOn's call for defense.
These survivors of the Unions soldiers, in
their annual reunions, are not likely to
meet twice in the same section OF this
broad land and their presence in any COM
munity on one of these occasions is an
event that cannot soon be forgotten. We
have had large delegations of these veter-
ans among us, and our people-of all shades
of political opinion, and hailinS from all
parts of the Union-met them, as II were,
with open arms and purses and each wed
with the other in doing honor to the dis
tinguished guests. They have been among
us, have tested the quality of our hospital
itv-of our fruits and wines, and other
products of Sacranento's resources-and
are now Ell route to their widely separated
and distant homes. Their invasion Of these
shores call for no armies OF protection. The
gates of California and OF her cities were
thrown wide open to these veteran con-
querors, so accustomed to victories, whether
in war or in the piping times OF peace"
But the victory in this instance is not all
their own. They have left behind them
written and oral assurances OF this
fact. Conquerors themselves, they in
turn surrendered and unprotestingly
allowed our good people to do with them
as they would. The golden rule was fol-
lowed to the letter by our citizens, and we
have the proud assurance that our prison
ers of war were more than satisfied with
their treatment while in captivity. Amid
the cheers of the multitude and wishes Of
Godspeed they left US, and We feel it can
with truth be said that the good impress
sions made during their visit are mutual.
And in the coming years, as the evening
time of life settles down about these vet
Grams, most of whom none of us shall ever
again grasp by the hand they will have
pleasant "reminiscences TO relate, to the
coming generation, of their visit to Cali
fornia and her capital city.
THE NAToMA EXCURSION.
The complimentary excursion to Natoma
Vineyard yesterday forenoon for our greatly
esteemed Eastern Grand Army guests was
a most complete success in every particular,
and for which the General Executive Com
mittee and those who so literally contrib
uted the special fund, in addition to pre-
vious subscriptions, to carry it out, deserve
great credit, The train left at 9:15 A. NJ,
consisting of engine and six closely-tilled
coaches. With the exception of an accom-
panying committee, the entire party was
made up of Eastern people, and a happier and
more appreciative party never graced an
excursion The rich alfalfa fields, hop
yards, fruitful orchards and vineyards
along the twenty-mile trip were constant
subjects of observation and Mandatory COM
ment Copies of the RECORD UNION, which
contained a marked article descriptive of
Ia
versed, were distributed to the members of
the party. This gave the acreage, yield
and profits of vineyards orchards and pro-
duets, and aided the excursionists to better
appreciate the wonderful resources and
wealth of the section they were viewing.
When going out, the train made a mo-
ments stop at Reuter- to take on large
box of French prunes, and which was con-
yeyed through the cars for inspection and
sampling of this highly profitable fruit,
and which is only known at the East in
the cured state, at y to 90 cents per pound.
The run was made to Natoma i'll about
forty minutes and halt made at the sta
ton. Upon arriving, the first thing that
greeted the eyes of the visitors, was huge
pile of mammoth and most delicious water
melons, which made formidable barricade
about half the length of the station plat
leaving OlllN III lilO NiOOA-
ways. The rest of rear portion of the plat
form and approaches were lined with
great variety of most delicious grapes and
various kinds of fruits, piled high in large
boxes almost with end, and which formed
a scene most irresistibly tempting. The
several rooms of the station building were
very tastefully decorated with fruit exhibits,
and the walls ornamented with cut vines,
from which hung huge stems of
grapes, and boughs of fruit trees loaded
with choicest specimens. At one side of
one of the rooms was arranged display OF
California wines, which not only looked
tempting to our loyal guests, but proved to
be extremely tempting.
The guests were received upon arrival of
the train at the depot by Messrs. c. H.
Schussler and H. Plate, in most royal
style, making the excursionists at once feel
at home and that they were heartily well
come to everything in sight. The cars
were soon deserted, and five-pound ship
ping baskets were furnished to all
guests who desired, with instructions
to help themselves freely and to their
hearts and eyes content Each excursion
list was soon busily engaged piling into
basket, for personal attention, an assert
ment of most luscious fruit. The scene at
this part of the programme was most in
t, resting one, and the occasion was enjoyed
beyond expression by all the Eastern
friends. Soon each had a full basket,
which was either being sampled or set
aside for later investigation. Meantime,
the old soldier boys moved upon the
watermelon barricade with telling effect,
and bottles of wine were handed out to
others and were soon in inverted positions,
while champagne, white wines, claret, etc,
were passed freely to such as desired. The
expressions of appreciation by the Grand
Army guests were very pronounced at the
banquet the previous evening, but now, IN
the midst of this wealth of fruit, melons
and wine, so lavishly bestowed in uncon-
ventional picnic style, the old boys got lost
in their hunt for language adequate to the
inexpressible situation, and the remarks
INDUCED in escaped all bounds. They
would recapitulate the good things they
had enjoyed since coming to the coast and
then say, But this covers them all up
and gets away with the entire bakery, oven
and all" One old veteran, with scriptural
turn of mind, expressed his view of the
case by saying, Its the miracle right over
again, and the best of everything has been
kept till the last of the feast"
1t would be impossible for party to be
entertained more royalty or in any manner
to highten the pleasure of the guests, than
was done by the Madonna Conn many fhrOuph