Morning journal and courier., 1886-06-11
sERENADED Bx THE GkAxs.

The Grayss Association Serenade Gen.
 eraI $. E. Mervin, Sergeant Edward Taylor and Ex-Mayor Lewis Last Evening.
 About o'clock last evening nearly 250 members of the Grays' association, both &C., tives and veterans, assembled at the associa- ton rooms, where short concert was given by the American band which caused both Chapel and Church streets near the Glebe building to be lined with people The Grays then formed and marched to the residence of Gen.
 S. E. Merwin, who leaves for Europe to-mor- row on the steamer Aarania and whom they
 were to serenade After the American band 1 had played several selections Gen. E.E. Brad ley ascended the steps to the stoop where MT. and Mrs. Merwin, MT. R. A. Beers, MT.
 Henry Ensign, MT. George Beers and Miss Kate Sperry were standing, and after bid l ding them good evening said: have not come up here tonight 10 make speech, neither have we come up here to ask you to make a speech. We heard of your proposed trip to Europe and so that old and honored organization of which you were for many years at the head have come up to give you
 serenade and to most heartily wish for you and yours safe and pleasant trip through that old and beautiful country. Although we may have to stay at home daring the summer the more we hear of the pleasant time you are having abroad the greater will be our pleasure. When you
 return you will find us, general, just as glad
 to give you welcome home we were when you went away. Now we will say
 good bye, which means Godspeed, and we
 say again God be with you and yours and God bless you, good bye.
 infr S. E. Merwin, who, in much affected tone
 and after the Grays had given three times three cheers, said: General Bradley, com
 rades and citizens: For twenty-five years
 this organization has paid me compliments.
 This one touches me more than any ever
 tonight as my friends to bid Godspeed to me and mine.
 My journey, I am sure, will
 not separate, but unite more firmly.
 I go to the old world to see the noble works
 of men, and while know I shall enjoy my
 self, there will be nothing I shall enjoy bet
 ter than to see you, my comrades, when the
 ship brings me back to this land
 and think myself once again with my
 old friends. Now, my friends, thank you from the depth of my heart and wish you a
 good time and an affectionate good night After playing one more selection the Grays marched to the house on Eld street of
 Sergeant Taylor of the actives, who also
 leaves for Europe on Saturday. After ser
 enade, during which MT. Taylor stood on the stoop of his house with his ever faithful dog
 at his heels, Captain Lee of the actives as- cended the steps keeping one eye on the
 dog and said: I need not introduce to you
 man so well known and popular among you
 as Sergeant Taylor. He has always been
 a faithful man to his duty since he entered
 the company, and we'll deserves his promo
 tions as they have come to him. Now we
 I1yiob to h 406 nd o1ao
 journey. The company then gave their
 cheer, after which MT. Taylor thanked them,
 and the procession started for the residence
 of ex-Mayor Henry G. Lewis On arriving
 at the ex-mayors house the band took up
 their position in the yard, while the Grays stood company front on the walk. After a
 selection by the band during which ex-Mayor Lewis appeared on the stoop, he was greeted
 by Gen. Bradley who said: Mayor LeWis, I address you as mayor, although you no longer hold that office; but as you have held it so many years you are better known by that title than by any other, and by that shall introduce you to these people to-
 night. Perhaps you don't know them; they are mainly members or ex-members of that glorious organization for which so many years you have labored so we'll, that organi- zation known as the Grays. They are the actives and veterans who have united and formed the Grays' association. Also among them are some prominent citizens who could not now become active or veteran Grays, but who still have the welfare of their ex- Mayor at heart, and are grateful to be able to congratulate you with us on your recovery after a long and severe illness. We just came from General Merwins, where we gave him a .Godspeed and good bye for time. We have not come to say good bye to you, but to congratulate you your recov- cry. He then introduced ex Mayor Lewis, who said The Grays' association, past Grays, present Grays, and I may we'll say fu- ture Grays,as there probably some young men among you who will be Grays, I thank you for this your calling on me, but it is only a small part of my gratitude.
 I am very glad to see and greet you, and I am always glad to welcome any American soldier. During my long illness I remem-
 Der with much pleasure that was not for gotten by you, and when on New Years day I received from the Grays handsome bas- ket of flowers, I must say that was so touched that the tears trickled down my cheeks. I hope that ill future I may be with you again and do more for the city that I have fostered for fifty years. The Grays then marched to their rooms and were dis missed.