The National tribune., 1888-09-20
THE OUTPOSTS.
Fires that Cleaned Brightly About
the National Encampment.
THE OPENING CAMPFIRE.

The Enormous Gathering on Tuesday ETeninE-
Speeches by Gov. Foraker, COmmander-iH- Chief
Ren. Gen. sherman and Others.
The Campfire at the immense tent Of the
Army Of West Virginia was again Tuesday
evening the center OF attraction. The vast
canvas was entirely inadequate to contain the
crowd which streamed toward 1t ali evening.
The center and side aisles and every inch Of
available space outside of the seats was taken
for standing room, and thousands could not
enter at all The occasion was the general re-
eeption rendered by the Grand Army, Depart
ment OF Ohio. and was the greatest Campfire
IN the history of the Order in point Of num-
bers and ia view of the prominence OF the
people present. Before the program which had
been prepared was taken up EE-PTesident
HAYES assumed the platform aud told the story
Of tic school-teacher, Mss Wright, now Mrs.
Bonsall), whose exploit in furnishing Gen.
Sheridan information as 10 the strength and
numbers Of the COUfedorates Is related IN an
3ther column. lie introduced the lady at the
conclusion Of his remarks, and she received an
ovation which VIII be remembered 10 her dying
day. The audience rose en- nasse and received
her with thuDders Of applause. Gov Foraker
ELECTED a tumuIt Of applause, as he always docs
when be appears among soldiers, and especially
Ohio soldiers He declared that every comrade
who was present was welcome 10 Columbus and
10 Ohio and that every flag that huttered IN the
breeze over the bunting covered streets waved
them welcome. He wanted them TO feel that
their hearts and their homes were open TO
them. because they were in Ohio, and Ohio was
the center and the heart Of liberty and loyalty
The State had sent $4,000 men 20 the war, and
no matter whether the veterans had come from
Maine or California, there were men from Ohio
who had fought shoulder 10 shoulder with
them BE declared that Ohio believed in the
var, and lie had no patience with the maudlln
sentiment that the war was simply a trial Of
strength neither did he believe that the Grand
Army was an association Of tramps, c0tfee-c00l-
ers or dead-beats, except that they had made
the grandest tramp in the world when they
went through the South. He wanted TO know
how much money the country would have had
If each one present had hired a substitute.
Some veteran In the audience, thinking that
this was an allusion TO a certain distinguished
parsonage, cried cut: Hit him again"
The Governor declared that he had 10 inten-
ton Of hurting anyone's feelings, but he did
have his opinion Ct anyone who hired sub
stitute. Alter bidding each one again cordial
welcome to the city the Governor sat down, and
Mayor Bruck was introduced to welcome the
Grand Army ia behalf Of the city Of Colum-
bus. The Mayor made a clever speech, in
which he declared that the Grand Army had
taken the city from him and left him without
municipality. BE was a comrade, he said, and
lie babe them all a cordial welcome, and threw
open the city's gates.
Commander IN Chief Rea not being present at
the moment he was expected 10 speak, Uncle
Bills" Sherman was introduced by Commander
O'Aeall. The crowd arose and frautically waved
hats and handkerchieis, yelling itself into a
condition Of hoarseness before quiet was re.
stored. he spoke in a very happy vein, ad-
dressing them as Comrades by the acre"
When they had laughed at the sally he said
that he had been introduced TO them as
" Uncle Billy" and he was sure that his nu-
meroUs nephews would not ask him to strain
his voice Bat / love you TO distraction" he
continued; yea have made your old uncle
sublimely happy by the parade Of to-day" he
said be had sat for five hours and watched
them, the men from California and Maine and
Ohio, and had been Impressed with the c0nvic-
tlon that there we're yet enough living to make
sacred and good the prize for which they had
fought. lie said that both he and they knew
they were right, and they would not conde-
scend to discuss that question. lie c0mpli-
mented his particular pride, which was Ransom
Post, 81 81 Louis. Of which he was a member,
and declared that be was proud Of their clean
crowd and good uniforms. he said his work
was probably done and be was the last Of the
old commanders; but be was going to stay as
long as be could, and be was not going to shake
hands with IS many people as be had. In clos
ing be assured the boys that Uncle Billy y
was always with them.
C0mmander-in-Chief Rea entered and was
introduced. He said he was sorry that he had
been detained. lie said ne had never before
seen the grand pageant Of that day equaled but
once, and that was when Uncle Billy's" men
passed il review At Washington in april, 1865
The Grand Army was not only welcomed by
Gov. Foraker the Mayor the Sons Of Veterans
and the Womaa's Relief Corps, but by Ohio
lie had spoken 70 many large audiences, but
never to one like this. Judge Rea said they
had never found il possible 20 put their crowds
into any city, but be had heard less complaint
this time and had never seen half so many To-
gether before. Ii showed that Columbus recog-
nized the fact that the people must be taken
care Of, and knew how 70 DO it.
Robert Hendcrshott. the famous Drummer
boy Of the Rappah8nuock, beat the long-roll
which be said was Gen. Sherman favorite Tht
General spoke up quickly and said, " You nevel
heard the long-EOli in my camp and the GROVE
laughed.
Gov. Foraker introduced Col. Fred Grant
saying that the C0l0ne's mother had tele
graphcd him informing him that she could no
BE- here but had sent her eldest son. Col
Grant was rendered an ovation, and replied
thanking the veterans heartily for their wei
come which be knew was rendered in memor.
Of bis father.
John a. Logan, jr.. was received with an
plause quite equal 10 that rendered Col Grant
ar Logan thanked the people for their greet
Ing and said that he was q little ahead Of Col
Grant. for he had married an Ohio girl aud ha,
a. Ohio daughter lie was proud Of Ohio. be
cause she could give this reception 10 the grand
est organization iu the civilized world.
Gen. Fairchild, OF Wisconsin, Past Com
mander-in-Chief, was next introduced. II
c0upiimented Ohio for her work in the rebel
Hon. and also reviewed the history Of Wiscon
SID IN the war briefly, declaring that Northern
men not oaly fought for the North but for ia
whole country, and that this gathering Of vet
Grams was an evidence Of patriotism for tn
South As well as the North.
Gov. Thayer, OF Nebraska, Past Department
Commander, made an eloquent address, an
then Gen. Alvin T. Hovey Of Indiana wa
called upon. he was received with enthus
2stic cheers and cries Of Champions Hill
kickshurg, and Governor" Although h
said be had arrived on the train since dark. h
made 8 F0as.ug speech, over which the audienC
went wI.c with exultant shouts Of approval
Gen. ]. Warren keifer closed the exercise
with an address aud he too came in for b
share Of the greeting with the audience 7,
ceiyed By his predecessors.