Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1889-06-12
Twelve Hundred Old Soldiers and
Twelve Thousand Others Roy
ally Entertained by McIn-
tyre Post and the Citi-
zens of Austin.
Gov. Merriam, Ex-Gov. McGill,
Judge Rea, Ex-Gov. Barto, Adj.
Gen. Mullen and Other Dis.
tinguished Guests Pres
ont
All Pronounce the Encampment the Best
Ever Attended.

The preparations which had been made
by Mcintyre Post for the entertainment
OF the encampment guests seemed to have
salutary effect even upon the elements,
and the weather last week was speci
men of what Minnesota can do at her
best. The beautiful weather which had
encouraged the elaborate preparation of
the grounds and the beautiful decoration
of the streets and residences continued
until the close of the encampment, enab-
ling an immense crowd of visitors TO en-
JOY to the utmost 4 display which did
credit to all participating in Its prepara-
ration. The grand stand. with seats for
thousands, over a hundred tents and
thirty electric lights, were some of the
contributions for sohd comfort at the
grounds. A multitude of conveyances
gave cheap access to the grounds, Our
in furnished cheap and satisfactory enter
tainment for alH
Seven hundred old soldiers registered
at headquarters, and enough more were
present to bring the roll up 70 twelve
hundred men. Good judges consider
twelve thousand moderate estimate of
those who thronged the streets and
grounds on Wednesday, the great day of
the encampment. The exercises on that
day began in the early morning hours
with the reception of visitors by delega-
tions, accompanied by martial music.
At $50 the crowd assembled at the
grand stand. where devotional services
were conducted by Rev. Stanley.
In behalf of the city Mayor Gibson vel
coined the old soldiers. He said:
COMRADES OF THE GRAND ARMY: Not
withstanding my protest, your President
announces me as the prelude of this
mornings entertainment. I congratu-
late you on the return of another ami
versary of your Association the har-
mony that prevails among its members,
sonsthe pleasant "reminiscences that gath
er around this occasion and on the grow
ing interest in, and appreciation of, your
services in the conflict of the Rebellion,
Scattered as you are over large extent
Of country, 1t is pleasant for you, once
year, to behold each others fac
kind feelings and friendly saluta-
tions, to brighten, perpetuate and extend
the chain of acquaintance and OF
personal friendship. Although, the
periods for these reunions are brief in
their duration, and far between in their
recurrence, yet they are not without
their benefits and blessings. If they
do not add much to your pockets,
they add largely to your stores of
pleasant memories. You can never
return from one of these meetings, with
out carrying with you feeling of pride;
not foolish and vain glorious pride.
but just and manly pride that in the
hour of the nations greatest peril, you
were numbered among its defenders.
It is to-day, a pleasure to welcome you
to our city; to extent to you the right
hand Of fellowship. and to pledge you,
in behalf of myself and colleagues, our
entire devotion to your service during
your stay among US.
Assistant Adjutant General Geo. W.
Morev responded on behalf of the old
soldiers. Comrade J. M. Hutchins then
delivered the following address of well
come on behalf of Mcintyre Post:
HoNoRED COMMANDER, COMRADES AND
FRIENDS: The most inspiring feature of
an address of welcome is usually the
hope that 1t may be brief. In this hope
l shall not disappoint you. You need
but to refer to the order of exercises to
observe that there come those after me,
whose widely known skill in the arrange
ment of words and power of OratorY
should prefer before me, and yet my
fellow soldiers are aware that it is the
dutv of comrade to accept any position
assigned to him by his superiors. Thus it
is that stand before you to-day, and in
behalf of McIntvre Post of this city,
have the proud honor of extending to
you, our visiting comrades and friends,
the hearty and cordial greeting of a sol
dier's welcome. The good old poet,
Bryant, long years ago rang out through
hn hot Nhn D.
first Temples" In anticipating the hon
greatest satisfaction to properly prepare
this beautiful grove. That it may prove
to US all temple of pleasure and IN
struction is the desire of each member of
this post. 1t is right my friends that we
annually gather to exchange the stirring
greetings, and revived memories, of
Lang Syne" friendships, of surmounted
difficulties and dangers endured in
wars hard grapple with death. 1t is
but for the purpose of recognizing a
truth that must be clear to all, that I al
lude to the fact that nearly all organiza
tions or orders are constantly receiving
fresh accessions to their numbers, while
with us each reunion brings us together
with depleted ranks. The ''sunset gun"
and the 'last taps" are constantly sound
ing for some of our comrades. They
leave us, and none can fill their places.
Yet, as we "close up" our broken col.
umns, is it vague thought for us to
cherish the belief that somewhere, over
the River, the reveille of that other
grander army shall usher IN for us all the
unclouded dawn of brighter day.
Comrades and friends, as I now give
place to others. thanking you for your at
tentlon, let me again tender to you all q
hearty welcome.