The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-07
TWENTY-FIVE YEARS.
The Silver Anniversary Of the
Grand Army.
Celebrations Held by the Different Posts in
This City Last Evening-Great En-
thusiasm Manifested

Yesterday was the twenty-fifth or silver
anniversary of the founding of the Grand
Army of the Republic, and last evening.
acting under general orders issued by Com
mander-in- Chief w. G. Veazey from head
quarters at Rutland, VT, all the G. A. r.
posts throughout the length and breadth of
the land met 10 commemorate it.
Camp-ires were lit from New York to
San Francisco, from Bangor to Galveston.
and survivors of the late unpleasantness,
shipmates under the union-ja soldiers of
all ranks and arms, and gallant marines,
met together. fought their old battles over
again, sang again the old-time war songs
and felt once more the spirit that inspired
them when they marched forth to fight
and to die if necessary in defense of the
stars and stripes, the fisg they loved so
well, and to preserve the integ rity of these
United States.
In this city Lincoln Post, No. l. Garfield
Post, No 81; Colonel Cass Post. No. 46;
General Meade Post, No. As, and Liberty
Post, No. 133, held joint celebration of the
quarter. centennial at Metropolitan Temple,
while George II. Thon as Post, No. 2, COM
mem Grated the anniversary by literary ex-
ercises at Irving Hall.
AT THE TEMPLE.
At Metropolitan Temple the body of the
hall was reserved for members of The G. A.
Il. and their relatives, and was well filed
Owing to the iaclemencY of the weather
the galleries had not many occupants. One
visitor there, WHO said he was rebel and
who took umbrage at some remark m ade by
the Chairman in his opening address and
then walked out, was met on the stairs
! H., .I,,.I, H.. n -
who felt the old war spirit within them +,
and he hoated down the stairs to the side
walk at greater rate possibly than he ever
descended flight of stairs in his life before.
When he got up and gazed at the Mint op-
poSite he was salder, wiser and sOrer man
than when he entered the hall. and was
sorry he spoke when MS name was not on
the programme.
Past Department Commander Edward 5.
Solomon acted as President OF the even ing.
and with him ON the stage were the officers
of the different posts in the city and of the
Woman's Relief Corps. The front of the
platform was decorated with bank Of cut
flowers, on it were stands Of stacked arms,
while at the rear were displayed portraits Of
Lincoln. Washington and Dr.. B. f. Stephen
son, founder Of tile order, surrounded by the
national ensign and the silken banners Of
the different posts and corps. Music was
rendered by the Fifth United States Artil-
lery Band, and at some of the selections they
played the old veterans became enthusiastic,
cheered and waved their handkerehiefs, and
felt once more the war spiIlt within them.
THE PROGRAMME.
The proceedings opened with an overture
by the band, after which Chaplain +. A.
Werth OF Colonel Cas- Post delivered a
prayer President Salomou, in his opening
address, said that while the ranks of the
G. a. X. were daily getting smaller, recruits
were still. coming in. The army numbers
now over 100000 men, lie said, who still
have the vigor, the loyalty and the patriot
ism to defend the flag if called upon. Past
Department Commander c. Mason Knne
next read the general orders issued by the
Communicated Chief. In tile absence OF
Mrs. Louise Humphreys Smith. Mrs. Nellie
Helbroak Blinn recited "Old Glory"
Past Post Commanders I. G. Masteller of
Lincoln, No. l, Albert Brown of James A.
Garfield, NJ "a, W. W. StOne of Colonel
George G. Meade, No. As, and George w.
Irelan of Liberty. No. 1873. gave each his
tory of his respective post, and Mrs. Eliza
beth d,Arcy Kline, Past National Presi-
dent of the Woman's Relief Corps, gave a
resume of the history of that organization.
The Cosmopolitan Quartet gave several Sc
lec:ious in excellent style and were loudly
appauded. Comrade f. A. Werth sang
some patriotic songs and brief addresses
were made by Past Post Commander Henry
G. Dibble and COmrade E. McClish. The
proceedings terminated with the singing of
America" by the entire audience.