The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-09-16
THIS Mornings Business Meeting
Election of Oiiicers---piaee OF
Next Meeting.
THE CiTY's GREAT GUESTS.
ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE.

ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE.
The annual public meeting of the So
ciety of the Army of the Tennessee wss
held at Harner's theatre last evening.
When the curtain rose at O'Clock. there
were seated upon the stage Gen. W. t.
Sherman, Gen. John A. Logan. Gen. A d.
W. MARYLAND, Gen. NJ. N. Dodge, Gen.
WV. Belknap, Surgeon Plummer. Major
J. NJ, Beardsley, Gen. Bane, Gen. John w.
Sprague, Gen. A. l.. Chetlain, Col Au.
gustus jacobson, NJ. V. Cannon, Gen.
Green B. Baum, Col. Gil A Pierce, Gen.
W. Q. Gresham, Col Albert G. Bracket,
U. S. a., Col. L. NJ. Dayton. Col. Baylor
and others together with representatives
of the local and visiting press. The
house was comfortably filled. The stage
had been gracefully decorated, and the
great flag which usually floats on the gov
eminent island, was prettily looped in the
rear of the stage, forming a handsome
background
After the curtain had risen, Gen. Sher-
man advanced to the front of the stage,
and was received with much enthusiasm
and applause. He called the meeting to
order, and said this meeting of the Army
of the Tennessee was the nineteenth since
the close of the war. They were always
happy to see the families of their soldier
friends, and, indeed, of all good citizens.
They welcomed them, and bespoke on
their part close attention to the OBJ =
servaDces, which would entertain, instruct
and interest them.
Rev. W. S. Marquis, pastor of the
Broadway church, then offered prayer,
and as the society was TO be welcomed
by the authorities of the city and state,
Gen. Sherman gave way to Dr. Plummer,
who presided during the addresses of
welcome.
0ClOOME ~ lhh VII.
In the absence of mayor Murdoch, Aid.
W. b. Lundy had been chosen to make
the welcoming address. After his intro
ductiOn By Gen. Sherman he said:
Gen. Sherman and the Members of the Soeiet y
of the Army of the Tennessee and Ladies':
Since the organization of our city in
1871 the people have experienced no
pleasure so agreeable, no opportunity so
great, as that accorded to them upon this
suspicious occasion.
The gathering together IN these days
of peace and national prosperity of the
great soldiers, the grand heroes to whom
this union of states-Our own great ma
tion-owes its preservation and perpetual
ten. to them as an event which only
they can fully appreciate who together
have fearlessly braved the dangers of the
battlefield, the trials, and hardships. and
priVations of soldiers life encountered
during the dark hours of the drearv and
desOlate days of vigorous campaign;
that these-ours-the nations hOnOred
soldiers and veteran heroes, should light
their camp-fires amidst those of our huns
bic but hospitable homes and mingle with
us while each TO the other recItes some
thrilling incident indelibly engraved upon
the tablets of his memory during Sher,
mans march to the sea, is an event which
the good people of our city can appreci-
ate. Soldiers of the Society of the Army
of the Tennessee, the memory of those of
your number whom the Great Commander
above has called to join His army in the
realms of eternity We revere.
To those of you who are with US today
We extend a greeting sincere. heartfelt,
and cordial, and trust that long after you
have sought the hcarthstone Of your own
homes. within your hearts will lingeI
happy recOllections Of your visit with us.
In the name of the city and citizens again
| bid you welcome.
IN BEHALF OF THE STATE.
Gov. 0glesby being introduced by DR..
Plummer, was most enthusiastically
cheeIed when he came forward To speak
for the state He considered it no small
honor that it was his duty to well
come his hearers to the hospitality of IL
inois. The Army OF the Tennessee
would find brilliant place in the annals
of men as long as history should faith.
fully record the meritorious deeds of the
world 1t was pleasure to him to wei
come the society by an agricultural anC
manufacturing people. In the name Of
the people of this fair state he assumed
the authority, whether conferred up0r
him constitutionally or not, to welcom,
them.
GEN. sHERMANs RESPONSE.
Gen. Sherman thanked Mr.. Lundy ant
Gov. Oglesby in the name of the societ,
for the hearty welcome extended, and TO
the kindly greetings which met the so
ciety at every corner After giving
brief outline of the society and its ser
vice during the war, he closed by agail
returning thanks to the city of Rock Isl
and and State of Illinois.
There was music by Bleuer's band anC
then the
ANNUAL ADDRESS
was delivered by Gen A L. Chatlain o
Chicago and is given in full:
Mr.. President and Gentlemen of the Society:
To the Intelligent student, the histor
VI thSItPupltCs THAT nave risen, HDurlSuei
and declined, is full of interest. The de
of government of the people has pre-
vailed among civilized nations from tn
earliest times. The Grecians, Roman.
Carthagenians of ancient times, and tn
Italians and Dutch of more recent dat,
acting upon that idea, founded govern
ments republican in form. In moder
times score of republics have sprun
into existence. the republic of the Unit
ed States being the largest and most i'm
portant. In history all governments nj
monarchical have been called republics
The Greek, Roman and Dutch republic
were nearly pure democracies. Tt
founders Of our republic; with wisdoi