The Portland daily press., 1890-02-03
coMMANpER-IN-cAIEFALcER.
Arrives In Portland the Guest of Ros-
worth Post, C. A. r.
he Enjoys a Reception and a Rous.
Ing Campfire.

On Saturday noon the committee from Bos-
worth Post, composed of Mayor Melcher,
Marshal Green, ex-Aldermen Galley and
Sawyer, met Governor Russell A. Alger,
COMMANDMENT. Chief of the Grand Army of
the Republic, and Mrs. Alger, at the Union
Station, on their arrival from Boston by the
noon train, and escorted them to the Fal-
mouth Hotel, where suite of apartments
had been secured for their stay in Portland.
The Commander-in-Chie is ON his way to
Augusta to attend the annual encampment
of the Maine department, and is the guest Of
Bosworth Post while in this city.
General Alger Is not unknown to Portland
people generally, as well as Grand Army
men. He was present at the national en-
campment when it was held in this city in
1885, and was prominent feature of that
gathering. He is about medium height.
with light hair and moustache, quick and
nervous in movement, aud crisp, incisive,
interesting conversationaist. The General
is In his fifty-ffth year, and since the age of
eleven years has fought the battle of life
without assistance. He worked on farm
in Ohio, then attended the academy, taught
school, studied and practiced law, and then
went into the lumber business in Michigan,
where he amassed great fortune At the
breaking out of the war he became cap
tain in the Second Michigan cavalry, and by
his dash and bravery under Gems Sherman
and Custer, rose to a colonelcy and brevet
brigadier generalship. having participated in
sixty-six engagements. He was governor of
Michigan from 1885 to 1887. and was prom
inent candidate for the Republican nomina-
tion for President in 1888.
At 3p. M, an elegant double-seated sleigh
drawn by four spirited dark bays. and driv-
en- by Comrade Whitman Sawyer, called at
the Falmouth. General and Mrs. Alger,
Mayor Melcher and Mrs Melcher. and Mrs.
Sawyer took seats and drove about the city
for an hour, the General noting with quick
eyes the many changes that had occurred in
the past five Yeas. At 4 o'clock, after leav-
ing the ladies, General Alger receiv ed all
citizens who desired to meet him in the may
or's private Office. and there was large
number who availed themselves of the oppop
tunity.
In conversation at the reception with
PRESS representative, General Alger spoke
In strong terms of what he believed was to
be the great future of Portland. You don't
grow so fast here as we do west, he remark
ed, but you grow steadily and surely. In
the few years since was here, notice the
large. substantial, handsome blocks of stores
the public buildings and handsome resi-
dences that have been erected. Your port
is superb. and 1t is to do much for you in the
future. The Canadian Pacific is going to
make you her port, and that carries its own
significance with it. The General asked how
Portland harbor was affected by fog, and be
was informed, by several of the comrades
for the conversation was general all hearing
what the General said-that Portland was
freer from fog than other ports, those east
of US, like st. John and Halifax, and even
| New York west, being troubled decidedly by
this cause, while it was very rare thing for
a steamer to be affected by it to any appreci-
| able extent.
While General Alger was receiving guests
at the City Building, Mrs. Alger received
the officers of Bosworth Relief Corps-Mrs.
W. r. Gribben, Mrs. G. 81. Mitchell, Mrs C.
Merrill, Mrs. A. Nj. Sawyer. Mrs. w. Went
worth, Mrs. Deane, Mrs. w. Sawyer and
Mrs. j. ID. William son-at the Falmouth.
At O'Clock p. m. General Alger was es-
corted to Bosworth Post Hall. where the
comrades had gathered at the fire lighted in
his honor. General Alger was seated at the
centre of the head table, On his right were
General Conner, R. K. Galley, FL. B. Cleaves,
Col. Edward Moore and Marshal Green.
At his left were Mayor Melcher, Colonel
Jared Smith, A. A. Nickerson, DIR. Getchell,
Commander w. S. Dunn of Bosworth Post,
/ Captain ID. K. Sargent, DR.. Geo. II. Bai!eyy
I al Department Inspector L. W. Ham
son. At the opposite side Of the table were
seated G.. A. Sargent, William Burnham,
Charles Jones, Ruel Field. Geo. F. Junkins,
Charles A. Clark, George F. French, Geo. S.
Rowell. Thomas ]. Libby of vinalhaven.
Captain Horatio Hight, Colonel j. c. Cobb
| and Charles W. Hadlock. At the other
tables were gathered 1875 members of the
Grand Army Hot coffee, cold meats of
various kinds and fruit was discussed, after
which the pipe of peace was lighted and
chairs drawn back. Mayor Melcher then
called the company to order and introduced
General Alger, who rose amid tamultous
cheers. General Alger said
II tneIo was ever Woru mat c0uld Drlng
| JOY to comrades heart it was the camp
fire." In my travels all over the union, 1
have seen all sorts OF gatherings: but never
before one like this. It is novel. Did you
have the like at the front? You did if you
| were in the country. / have seeL the state
of misery, when everything was cleared up
yes, table cloths and all. | was pleased
when the committee pinned this badge on me
tonight, saying that they wanted the com
iades to know l was in the cavalry, as the
l cavalry Qlwauc OF fha
nearly all the fghtjng-of course you all be-
lieve it. But am happy to be here, and
thank you for your sincere welcome, and
that you are members Of the greatest and
Grad Army of the Republic. 1 extend TO
yon the greetings of all posts throughout the
union. We are all one family, as brother
members OF one organization. This gather
Ing carries us back in our minds
old, and that time gets the better of all, yet
we gather closer around the hearth and de
light to talk of old times. Yes, many of us
are losing the covering of our heads. have
to commanders what they did and how in
time OF battle. Did the officers lead their
men? have replied that / always had
plenty of courage, but didn't lead them be-
cause didn't like to get in the way of the
boys. [Applause.l
Recently, in my native city, an Evangelical
alliance held convention, and 1t was my
| pleasure to entertain four most estimable
| clergymen at dinner. One of these gentle
men asked me-what is the sensation expe-
rienced by man facing death? What is Il e
sentiment that encourages them in time of
battle? My reply was: Take off all the
feelers, inspiration and encouragement, for
every battle that was ever fought on earth
can be abridged in three words Pleased
that / could express the reply in SO few
words, they asked me for it. My answer
was: "Give 'em hell" [Applause.J
At this point Gen. Alger paused, on the
five minutes limit, but being urged to proceed
said he would say word about pensions.
He referred to the fact that the Senate com.
mittee had agreed to report dependent PEN
sion Dill that was considered good and salts
factory. He referred to the comrades in the
soldiers Homes, and suggested ways of help
ing their condition. He spoke of the reunion
IN THIS city In 1885, when the westerners suf
Tered SO Tor want of other fluids than salt
water, ana stated THAT 70 this day those west
erners would like little more of the same
SAT- water LGreat applause.I
Ex-Governor Conner, on being called on.
said he was delighted to meet one of Sheri-
dams bold riders in the person of the Com
mander-in-Chief, and most happy to be
present at the camp fire He rolatad ,oo...