The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-03
A ROUSING CAMPFIRE.
The Entertain ent for the Old Soldiers an
UnequivOcai Success.

The Entertain ment for the Old Soldiers an
Unequivocai Success.
The browning event of the first musical festi-
val of this city took place last night on the occa-
sion of the Grand Army campfire. The day.
while showery, was proritious, and the evening
found the atmosphere somewhat tempered, so
that the prospect of comfort was reassurng to
all who expected to attend. The gathering was
the largest and finest that ever took place in the
city of indianapolis in a regular and permanent
structure. There were present more people than
could have been gotten in all the opera-houses
combined, every seat in the vast hall being occu,
pied and many chairs set to accom- modate such
as had failed to secure regular seats.
The coup d. oeil from the gallery looking
toward the north was one never before enjoyed
in this city, there being such sea Of human be-
ings as never before gathered on such an coca
sion here. The splendid hall was radiant with
the beauty and fashion Of Indianas capital, and
the scene was one never to be forgotten. Sen
ator Harrison was happy in expressing his graft
fcation and establishment at the fact that the
city had such structure at last. and he took oc-
casion to express in behalf of the city the apprec
alton of the people Of the noble bequest made by
Stephen D. Tomlnson, through whose thought
full provision the hall had been secured to the
city and the people.
The occasion was significant one, and there
was an interest manifested in what was to be
said as well as what was to be seen. When the
most noted soldiers who had consented to grace
the occasion with their presence made their ap-
pearance in the hall it was the signal for the
most enthusiastic applause, which was renewed
again and again as they proceeded to their places
on the rostrum. Then when the hand -clapping
had in a measure subsidized, there were thou
sands of opera-glasses leveled at them, and from
that moment they were the center of attraction
during the evening.
To the credit of those in charge, everything
passed off in fine style, there being nothing to
detract from the fullest measure of success
The speeches, for the most part, were brief and
to the point, and all were good In fact, the
exercises of the evening were remarkably short
taking into consideration the fact that these
camp-fires seldom break up before midnight.
Each speaker in turn was received with the
most unstinted applause, and when General
Logan rose to speak he was unable to proceed
for some minutes, the applause being repeated
from time to time SO that he could not begin
till it had exhausted itself. 1t was welcome
that any man in the world might have been
proud to have received and that few do receive
1t will not soon be forgotten here nor by the
General after he is gone. accustomed as he is to
the homage of proud and grateful people.
The hero Of the Georgia campaign is fully per-
suaded that the patriotic feelings Of the people
Of this State have suffered no diminution since
the war has closed. The rendition of that old
time battle song. Marching through Georgia, >
which has to be sung on every occasion when