The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-05-10


been gained within the last year.
The Adjutant's report shows 80 camps and
S97 members, a gain of 10 camps and 3S1
members. Fifteen camps have been muster
ed out and reorganized during the year, and
Shepley Camp of Portland is the largest in
the State, and has also made the greatest
gain, 81 members having been added during
the past year.
Adjourned at 1890.
The convention re-assembled at $50 p. M
The report of committee on presentation of
sword was to the effect that it would be pre-
sented to Shepley Camp, No. 4. of Portland.
Capt. Whtcomb responded fittingly on be-.
half of the camp, thanking the Division for
same.
to retiring Lieut. Thomas G. Libby and to
Shepley Camp and the Ladies' Aid for their
grand reception.
1t was resolved that the formation OF La
dies Aids be encouraged.
Voted, that the reports and proceedings of
this convention be printed.
The election of officers resulted as follows
Colonel-Waldo H. Perry, Portland.
Lieutenant colonel-Fred Il. Pottle, Bangor.
Major-Dayid y, Brown, East SUoneham
Division Council-Thomas G. Libby, Vinalha-
ven; Charles L. Wright Auburn; E. Nj. Ester
brook, Bangor.
Delegate at Large-H. L. Wright, Auburn
Alternate William L. Dickey Portland.
Delegate -E. 4. Philorook, Portland.
Alternate-John w. Malone, East Stoneham.
The next convention win be held in Ban
gor, May sth, 1885, at 10 a. m.
THE CAMPFIRE.
The campfire and banquet at Mechanics
Hall was a successful close to the encamp-
ment. There were some 225 present, includ-
10 Of lod af a
Ladies' Aid Society and Bosworth Relief
Corps. Supper was served promptly at 8
o'clock, and Capt. Whitcomb made very
pleasing speech of welcome to the invited
guests present The boys then turned their
attention to the good things upon the tables,
and they did SO in true army style. Hot
baked beans and an array of cold meats, to-
gether with pies and cakes in abundance,
disappeared with unwonted alacrity.
Col. Waldo 81. Perry called the assemblage
to order as the cigars were being lighted at
Colonel Aug. Libby as POSTMASTER of the
evening. The first toast, sour Country and
Our Flag" was responded to by Storer S.
Knight. He said that there was enough of
material in these two small words to talk
D.
reaching as it does, over a vast domain, num-
bering sixty millions of people, with its va
riOus industries and railroads, has every
thing to make nation complete, and with
Gods blessing resting upon it we, indeed,
have something to be proud of. When we
remember what this country of ours has cost
in blood and treasure, we must feel like be-
ing loyal to it and to its people, and to the
God who has vouchsafed so many blessings
to us. And this country of ours in free,
A.. ....sA
ness to the fact in the unspeakable progress
which only perfect freedom can produce
Let us, then, ever be willing to sacrifice for
its safety, ana be ever ready 10 stand as one
man in its defence"
Past Col Thos. G. Libby. of Vinal Haven,
next made a speech presenting the sword to
Capt. Whitc0mb, awarded for the growth
that Shepley Camp has made during the past
year. The increase has been tfty-seven
members and the organization is consequent
ly in live and prosperous condition. Col.
Libby hoped that this sword might ever be
an incentive to acts of loyalty to the brothers
and to the nation.
Capt. Whitcomb replied in an eloquent
manner, stating that it was one of the proud
est moments of his life that he was proud to
stand as one of the Sons of Veterans of the
United States and to receive this acknowl-
edgement Of the life and vigor and prospect
ty of Shepley Camp. He accepted the sword
ON behalf of the camp with feeling OF pride,
not SO much for its intrinsic value but for its
significance and pledged the camp to be ever
faithful and ready to do its duty.
Col. Perry then in a few brief remarks
presented Col. Aug. Libby the Past Divis-
ion Commanders badge He then read a
letter from Department Commander Bur-
bank, regretting an unavoidable absence
fl ON the festivities.
Gen. 4. S. Bangs, the father of the order in
this State, then spoke to the sentiment of the
"Grand Army"
Gen. Bangs spoke at length and in high
ly interesting manner of the formation and
growth of the organization. 1t was started
by Major Davis in 1882, and although the
charter members were obliged to work hard
and often put their hands in their pockets to
meet the expenses, yet the young men had
now taken hold OF the matter and success
was the result.
OF the Gaand Army he said: "They have
spoken for themselves and this country is
Justly theirs. / say this because the Grand
Army of the Republic represents the army
that saved it. Now If it is their country,
and you are their sons it will be your inner
itance and see that you preserve IT. 1t Is a
country worth living and dying for. The
Grand Army were the citizen soldiers who
saved this country and now they are the sol
der citizens
to by Col. Gould, who gave some Interesting
facts about the organization, saying tnat
there were now 10000 members and before
another year had gone by 1T would, ne
hoped, number 100000.
''0ur City, was to have received re-
ceived response from Mayor Chapman.
bat not being present Col. Perry read his
letter of regret 1t was as follows:
PORTLAND, May 8, 1888.
Wdldo II Perry Esq: :. ,..a
to attend the campfire of the Sons OF Veterans
TO be held in Mechanics Hall, upon the evening
of May 9th. regret exceedingly that prior ae en-
gagements will prevent my joining IN your Iestl-
yities on that occasion. 1t would afford me spe-
cial pleasure to take by the hand and welcome TO
the "City by the Sea" the "Sons OF veterans
present from other places throughout the State
Portland has only words of honor for the brave
men who fought our country's battle In her hour
OF need, and this warm place in her esteem easily
extends 10 their descendants. To belong 10 inc
Sons OF veterans" may be accounted both a
proud distinction and a sacred trust. The remem-
perpetuated through their sons is sure to consti-
ti0nal liberties.
Thanking you again for the courtesy of your
invitation, and wishing you an evening of long
aforementioned pleasure, am,
Most truly yours,
CHARLES j. CHAPMAN.
Mrs. E. L. Elwell, President of the Ladies'
Aid Society, was called upon and delivered a
we'll wOrded and worthy address She was
followed by Mrs. S. W. Fletcher for the Bos-
worth Relief Corps.
Col j. j. Lynch was then listened to con-
corning the Volunteer Militia" and in the
course of his speech he said that Maine was
very ngardly in its support of the militia,
appropriating each year but $1,000, scarcely
enough to clothe them. He said that New
Hampshire, Connecticut and even Rhode
Island were more liberal than our State
The remaining speeches of the evening
were delivered by Capt. c. c. Cusick of the
United States Army, +. A. Pollock, Past
Col, Thomas G. Libby, who spoke on the
subject of "Our Dead" and Rev. Mr. Shinn,
The speeches were interspersed with mus
ic and altogether it was jolly and highly
enjoyable occasion.