The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-08-26
RELIEF corps RECEPTIONS

By far the most brilliant affair of the week was
the reception of the Woman's Relief Corps at Me-
tropolitan Hall on Friday evening All the seats
were full, and the gay ribbons of the ladies' and
the profusiOn of flowers they made the ATT
dience seem like vast hower-gIrIen The stage
was most deliberately decorated and the designs Of
anchors, baskets and other floral tributes were OF
the most beautiful description. The stage was 81
literal mass of flowers. IL filed with ladies'
and several members of the Grand Army of the
Republic. while the comrades coming and
going all the evening between the hall and the En-
eampment, which was in session in Metropolitan
Hall. the United States Artillery Band was IN
service. and after medley of National airs Mrs
Elizabeth IA. Kline, the new National President,
began the program OF the evening. Her reuiarSS
carefully considered and eioquently delivered
and she made very fine impression. Mr4. FULLER
was introduced the retiring National President,
amidst great applause and spoke for the women Of
the Relief Corps, and the lsRsure with which they
had received all the cordial attentions which had
been showered upon them since coming to san
Francisco. She alluded to the work done by the
Woman ) Relief Corps; how they had relieved the
sick and cared for the needy and destitute, and
how all their work was n pleasure knowing that
In this way they assisting the veterans Of the
Union in carrying out the which had been
pledged to the Nation when they took up arms for
their country.
Commander Chief Burdett who was to re-
spond for the Grand Army, having been detained
at the Encampment. the program was somewhat
varied from the original printed one. Miss Clara
Barton was introduced and spoke for the Society of
the Red Cross. She was greeted with prolonged ap
plause, and in the course of her brief remarks
made n very pleasant impression upon her audi
efice. she SHid " the war made brave OF the
boys, il also made good true and loyal women of
the girls and then alluded to the fearful cost and
closed by saying that out of the evil of the war
good had come for il had made possible q grand
revival of patriotism and philanthropy.
Miss Barton closed with the reading of poem
written by her while her trip, descriptive of her
pleasure while crossing tine great plains.
The Artillerists Oath" was then sung with fine
effect by Messrs Clark Rowland Marshbank and
Campbell end Mt its conclusion Gen. Logan ap-
peared upon the stage. His appearance was the
signal for - grand ovation, and he was greeted
with prolonged applause.
Mrs. u. Jane Russell President of the Depart
ment of California, WOmau's Relief Corps, was
introduced Mrs. Russell announced that ex-Gov
Farchild. of Wisconsin,, had been elected National
Presidents of the Grand Army of the Republic
The announcements was received with great ap-
plause and a storm of cheers followed the further
information that Gen. Baci.us Postmaster of san
Francisco, had been elected a5 Senior Nlce-COnl-
/ mander. Mrs. Russell spoke in warm words of the
| work done by the Woman's Relief Corps on the
/ Pacific Coast
/ A note was received from Col Smedberg Com
mander OF the Department of California, very
/ warm friend Of the WOuan's Relief Corps saying
/ that he would be detained from the reception by
/ Illness, which was deeply regretted by all.
John S. Kountz, Past COMMANDMENTS Chief of
/ the Grand Army, expressed his appreciation OF
/ the hospitality that had been shOwered upon the
/ veterans. and renewed his warm and cordial sup
/ port OF the Woman Relief Corps.
| Mrs Nellie HolbrOOk Binn was introduced, and
| recited a poem on Mission Ridge" written by
\ Miss Sarah Matthews, of Ohio. The poem was de-
livered IN a highly dramatic style and was greeted
/ Mrs Wittenmyer National Chaplain ofthe Wom-
! ans Relief Corps, introduced and made an
eloquent speech descriptive Of her service ON the
batileheid5 OF the war. She pointed TO Gen. Logan,
/ who seated at her side, who would be able TO
/ bear her out in her expression of all that women
/ had done in those dark and bloody days. Mrs.
/ Nittennlyer received deserved ovation.
Mrs. Mariner Campbell who his q delightful
voice under high cultivation, rendered with fine
/ effect Give My Love Good-mOrrOw" to an
| orchestral accompaniment.
Col. Walter Payne. of Ohio. spoke warmly in
favor OF the organization OF the WOman5 Relief
Corps, and asked their cooperation in the organ
iL3ttiOn of Che boys.
/ Paul Van Dervoort was introduced and eongratu-
lated the women of the country on the magnificent
! work they had been able to perform. He alluded
10 the hardshp5 of his life in the terrible prison
pens Of the South, and enOined the women of the
North to instiii the principles of loyalty into the
/ minds of their sons and daughters.
Comrade Henderson, the Drummer Boy of the
/ RGpPohonuOctS, came upon the platform with his
| two drums, one presented by Horace Greeley IN
tlc war days, and another by the Corps at Bangor,
| Me-, and gave magnificent rendition of " Yankee
| Doodle" to a life accompaniment.
Mrs. 4. Florence Barker Past National President
of the Woman's Relief Corps, was introduced, aud
| In the course Of her remarks presented Mrs. Kate
II. Sherwood an elegant testimonial badge voted
her by the third National Convention as retiring
President.
Mrs. Sherwood in her response alluded to the fact
that IL was sometimes charged that the National
Relief Corps expensive organization, but
she reminded them that II they wore handsome
badges they paid for them; II they attended the
Conventions they bore their own travelling eX
penses and hotel bills; that all the money which
raised IN the name uf the GA went into tht
treasury o. the relief fund to- be used 10 aid soldiers
their widows and orphans. She said the WOmon's
Relief Corps pledged to petition Congress toI
adequate pension fOT army nurses well Is fol
widows and OrpGans OF soldiers. She alluded tC
the condition of the women of Utah in the destyuc
ton of the family life and Of the aOject slavery
the Chinese women in the dark, dismal den5 o.
Chinatown, san Francisco, and said that the wOuer
OF this country should call upon legislation, STATE
and National to blot out this disgraeeful state o
affairs from the history ofthe country.
| Past COMMANDMENT Chief Gen. Bnrdett. Gov
I Lueius Fairchild, Gov. aud Mrs. Ager of Michigan
and Mrs. Gen. l.ogG9 and others arrived a; th:
juneture. Gen Bur,llt /; was cali forward and paiC
another magnificent tribute to the Woman's Relic
| Corps, Gludng to the great work they had dOae il
the field and hospital, which work had been con
tinued until the present time.
Gov. Lucus Fairchild, COMMANDMENTS Chief
elect WAS then introduced and rea.nrned his iaitf
in woman and said that he was glad that his frs
| official act after being elected 20 the position o
Commander Chief was to speak at reception
| given by the woman, Relief Corps. He assured
the ladies that in the future as in the past IN
would give :hem his active, earnest co operation
IN all they We're doing for the soldiers and thei
families.
. Department Commander Richard Tobin o
| Massachusetts, was introduced, and paid n fin
tribute the work OF the women of Massachusetts
extended ~ il was throughout the country.
Gen. Logan came forward and Was introduces
amidst storm OF applause ladies risinl. in thei
seats and waving their hand se-chicfs AfterthecO
! fusion had subsidized Gen. Logan passed in review
the work OF the women of the upon the battle
, fields and in the hospitals, and the condition
many of the old veterans and their widows and or
phGu- and asked all present TO take solemn vOS
that tliey would foFsalle those who ha.
given OF their dearest blood fot the preservation
; the Union. In ailuing to soldiers pensions h
said that n there was one man in the hall who di
not believe that the disabled soldier entitle
? to Government care, AMI that man would rise il
his place he felt sure that t would be unani aOus
decided that that man was qualified to be Presiden
, Of the United States.
) Upon the conclusion of Gen. Lognn's remark
the band played patriotic air and the auCenc
nInrrpd In heiIir nftpr o.