St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-08-31
A GLORIOUS CAMPFIRE.
Distinguished G. A. II. Visitors Given
a Genuine minneapolis Welcome.
Speeches by the Present and Retiring
Conmanders-in-Ch Chief and Others.


prominent members of the Grand Army of
the Republic who are passing through Min
neapOliS Ell route to their homes from the
national encampment at San Francisco, al
though an lmpromptu and transformations
affair, was nevertheless one of the hap
piest and most notable of the numerous en-
tertainments Of the kind that has ever
taken place in the city. The distinguished
speakers present of course added great in
tereSt to the occasion, which partook of the
nature OF a joint reception and reunion.
At o'clock an escort consisting of the
six G. A. r. posts of the city, headed by
the Plummer Post drum CORPS formed at
the West hotel, and a procession Of nearly
1000 veterans marched to the music Of the
fife and drum to Harmonic hall, by the way
of Ncollet avenue. Already the hall had
been comfortably filed with an audience
that included many ladies. The veterans
filed in and took the seats reserved for
them. Those having places on the plat
form were: COMMANDMENT Chief Lucius
Fairchild of Wisconsin, eX-Com-
mander-in-Ch S. S. Burdette Of
Washington, ex-Gov. Selden Conner
of Augusta Me-; Gen. J. r. Lewis, past
junior commander, of Georgia; Past De-
partment Commander George B. Fielder of
New Jersey; Col j. NJ. Hedges, past dep
uty commander of New York; Col. II. 81.
Thomas of Chicago, c. G. Royce. Troy,
n. Y; Capt. D. NJ. Gilmore, Washington
Pierce, Col. Sessions. Judge Fish, Col. II. G.
Hicks. Hon. E. NJ. Wilson, j. l.. Dobbin,
Rev. j. NJ. Bull of Minneapolis. After a
fife and drum duet executed by Master
Clarence Demo of Plummer post drum
corps,
CoI n w Jobneo, s+anooa fo,,,zo,5 o, 4
read an address Of welcome, in which he hui
morously dwelt upon the modest way in
which Minneapolis corrals all visitors and
makes them tarry TO admire her greatness,
and the enterprise that has made her the
pet of the nation and a gem IN the diadem of
American cities. He went on to enumerate
many of her great attractions, not failing to
get in a good word for the Exposition, and
closed by BRIEFLY relating the patriotic his
tory of the city. A perfect storm of applause
greeted
GEN. FAIRCHILD
as he stepped forward to respond to Col
Johnson's happy Introduction. He at first
excu sed himself from making any extended
remarks upon the plea of hoarseness, but
soon warmed up and spoke pleasantly and
eloquently for twenty minutes. He said he
never do ubted the cordially of O Minnesota
| reception and he was especially glad to hear
Minneapolis give so good an account of her.
self He described briefly the magnificent
| hospitality of San Francisco and feelingly
| spoke Of the griefs and bitter memories that
are behind these good times" as the re-
unions of the G. A Z. are looked upon by
that the sons and daughters of veter-
ans will keep alive the spirit of
patriotism that has been preserved by the
Grand Army of the Republic. Hon. E. M.
| Wilson added word Of welcome for Mime
| apoliS and then Introduced
GEN. j. C. BLACK,
who delivered one of the happiest Of campfire
| talks, full Of humor, pathos and eloquence.
| Beautiful Minnesota. he said, had been made
possible by the sacrifices OF those who had
fought for liberty. Yesterday the torch and
sword were carried by million armed men.
| To-day million lovers and husbands have re-
| turned home to disappear in the various WAYS
| of peace, to come together with thinning
! ranks yearly to renew the memories and the
| friendships DeGotten by the great struggle.
| From this has come the organization of the e.
a. R.with its glorious platform of charity, fra
ternity and loyalt., and cursed be the man
| who should eudeayOr to create factions
| among its members, or to subvert its useful
ness to selfish ends - Gen. Black
was repeatedly interrupted by applause and
| cheering during his eloquent remarks. Gen.
| l.. a. Grant next introduced General and
GOVERNOR SELDEN CONNER.
of Maine, who was cordially greeted. He re-
sponded by comparing the genial hospitality
| OF the reception TO the bright warm sun
shine at the closing of happy day. The
American love OF order, he said, has been the
savior, and will keep back the enemies of
the union. Thrice happy are the
men who have lived to enjoy the
wonders of this age that are wonderful in all
| that goes TO distinguish the man from the
savage. The grand session of the Caforni q
encampment has been TO teach the glories of
| the Northwest and to impress more forcibly
than ever the necessity of its preservation.
GEN. S. S. BURDETTE,
| the accommodated eff. was introduced
| by Col II. G. Hicks and proved to be the
| humorist of the occasion. He told story of
| little boy who looked up to the blue dome
| of heaven and then exclaimed: "Oh, ma, our
| house is just in the middle" He was glad to
| be assured by Col. Johnson that Min neapoliS
| is exactly in the middle. He was not sure,
either, but that it was fitted by it's history,
and location, to become the center of the
nation. In closing he made suggestion OF a
| practical nature, to the effect that. as the G
A. r. had honored the Northwest in the seec-
| ton of q commander-in-chief, that Minnesota
owes it to itself to gather in every veteran
! who was honorably discharged, and he hoped
to see $4,000 comrades from the Northwest
by the time of the encampment. Robert
| Strattou, who was called upon next, paid a
! tribute OF praise TO the Woman'S work, and
| introduced
MISS KATE FIELD
who was received with applause and cheers
| She said she didn't understand why she had
been asked TO speak as she was not a member
| of the grand army except by sympathy She
| took advantage of the opportunity, however.
to call attention to the open disloyaity of
! Utah, which disobeys the laws of both God
and government and made an appeal for the
&C, 900 gentiles who reside at Salt Lake city.
| She asked that the 100000 members of the
6. A. r. see to it that the spirit OF the resolu-
ton denouncing Mormouism that was passed
at San Francisco is carried out by con-
| gress.
Gen. Thomas of Chicago next made some
| remarks of an entertaining nature, and was
! followed by Rev. j. NJ. Bull of Minneapolis.
| who made the closing address.
The guests were then escorted back to the
West hotel where an informal reception was
| held which was largely attended in spite of
| the lateness Of the hour.
IT. II IL