The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-06-29
THE BLUES NEW HOME.
They Celebrate Their Removal to Their
New Quarters.

New Quarters.
The Republican Blues moved into their
new quarters in the regimental armory
last night, and the event was celebrated with
eclat. The Savannah Busch Zouaves,
headed by the Union cornet band, escorted
the Blues from the old armory on Macon
street to the regimental armory. The line
orfnarch was through Bull street to CASTOR,
through CASTOR to Abercorn. AS the head
of the line counter marched on Abercorn
street the band struck up "Home Sweet
Home"
AS the company neared the armory the
front Of the building was beautifully illu-
minated with colored lights, a tableau, so
to speak, of welcome When the armory
was reached the Blues were welcomed by
Col. George A. Mercer, their former com
pany commander. He said that be was
glad it became his duty to welcome
them to their new quarters; glad
because he was welcoming them into
permanent quarters, and after so
many removals where expense had been in
CURED to fix up transient quarters, 1t was
doubly pleasant to him as an ex-officer Of
the company, knowing something Of the
past, to welcome them to a permanent
home, and one they could feel is their own.
Alluding to the history of the company, it
being the Oldest individual company in the
regiment, he complimented the members on
its standing, and told them to set such an
example as would lead those who
followed when the present are sleep
ing their last sleep, to maintain
the high standard which has been cnarac-
teristic Of the company si1ee 1908. IL is
duty he said, that they owed to themselves
and their families to sustain and maintain
the efficiency Of the military. Referring to
the motto of the company, which glistened
in gold letters on the armory wall, Are we
not brothersP he said that he hoped the
motto will not only govern the feelings of
the company, but the whole regiment. Col.
MERGERS remarks were heartily applauded,
after which congratulations were the order
of the evening.
The Cadets, at the close of their squad
drill, marched up and extended the right
hand of welcome. the band played Dixie and
the new armory rang with the cheers that
followed. There were forty Blues IN uni
form and ten or twelve in citizens dress.
At ii O'Clock the Blues detailed the band TO
escort the Busch Zouaves to their armory.
The Blues quarters are very handsomely
finished in hard WOOD The furniture,
fixtures and curtains have the monogram
of the company, with date of organization,
1908, on them The chandeliers each have
two miniature counterparts of the soldiery
in uniform corresponding with the uniform
of the company. The walls are hung with
many mementoes of members and portraits
of Col Mercer the last company officer, and
of Hon. Philip NJ. Russell, the oldest living
member Of the company. Underneath the
motto of the company on the eastern wall
place has been reserved for portrait of
the present commander. Capt. William D.
Dixon. The two gun racks in the armory
are hung with the company's colors, one of
which is a magnificent silken banner
presented to the company in 1912,
and manufactured in England. The
finishing and fitting up of the
armory was done under the immediate
supervision of Veteran P. J. Golden,
who received many merited compliments
last night for the artistic taste which is
visible on every hand. Later in the even
ing the company's punch bowl was called
into requisition, and soda water was pro-
vided for those who had conscientious
scruples against a military punch.
The night was half spent when the band
played its last air, and the Blues turned the
lock on the door of home that, as one of
the boys remarked, is their 'ownest own. ="