Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1888-02-17

large gathering and complete ar
for the anniversaries.
The st. Johnsbury post had given
the use of its headquarters to the
ladies, and occupied the town hall
instead, where refreshments were
served gratuitously throughout the
encampment. The meetings of the
encsmpment were held in Music
Hall, and here on Tuesday evening
TIE immense public meeting, or
was held. Long before
the appointed hour the house was
packed with people, many starding
throughout the evening, and hun
dreds were turned away. 1t was
estimated that there were not less
than l 500 in attendance. Dr.. Bull
lard, commander of Chamberlain
Post, presided at the campfire, well
coined the visitors, and introduced
the speakers. After the doctors
hearty welcome, Commander-in-
Chief Rea was introduced and spoke
for an hour on the causes, oonse-
queuces and results of war, and the
mission of the G. A. r. His view
was elaborate, and the lessons which
he drew were impressive. lie is a
born orator, and his speech was
made all the more attractive in these
parts by what may be called its gal
liant, free and ready Western style.
He was frequently and enthusiastic
ally applauded, from beginning to
to end.
Comrade John G.. Linehan Of
New Hampshire, national J. V. G.
was introduced as a thorough bred
Irishman, and kept the house charm
ed by his elegant "reminiscences and
convulsed with roars Of laughter.
Col. Neazey,of the Second Vermont
Brigade, now Judge advocate gen
eral on the staff of the commander
in chief, was the next speaker and
made one Of his best speeches on
this occasion. Mrs. Emma Stark
Hampton Of Detroit, Mich:, presi-
dent of the National w. r. G., who
was in attendance on the Women's
State Convention, was called out
and made good impression on
those who heard her. Her voice
was not of sufficient volume to fill
the large hall which was the Only
thing to have been regretted. Gov.
Ormsbee was present and spoke for
the patriotism of the state, and es-
pecially of the work of Nermont's
first war governor, the elder Fair
banks. Gov. Ormsbee'S speech was
one of the best, and delighted his
audience immensely. Lieut.. Coy
ernor Fuller followed with a grand
speech, although short, and brought
down the house. The speech of
Department Commander BIodgett
was the last on the programme, and
was equally as enthusiastic as any
lie spoke as one inspired upon his
subject and was frequently and
loudly arplauded.
Gen. Stephen Thomas was called
out and kept up a continual rattle
Of army musketry interspersed will
some heavier guns. He too received
a warm reception. Then came Col
Hooker, who received numerous
cross fires from those around him OF
taking the platform, but the colone
came off the best man in the end a,
usual. Col. Mansur, the one-armet
veteran of the governors staff, fol
lowed with an elegant speech, anC
he in turn was followed by MajoI
Josiah Grout of Derby. The major
was greeted with loud applause, a
all tie other speakers had been, anC
as it was near midnight when ht
was through speaking, the exercises
were then brought to close annie
the greatest enthusiasm. Apparent
w the audience would have stayed
it out until morning. The pro
garmme was lnterspersel with voca
and instrumental music, by the glet
, club and band, which formed II,
small part of the attractiveness o
the occasion.
Those who were present at ST
/ Johnsbury will long remember thei
| generous and hearty welcome
: There was favorable comment o.
: all hands made of the change from
the customary banquet to the popu
lar campfire, in which the larges
possible number of citizens coul,
I. IL