San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-07-09
OUR MILITIA.
RETURN OF THE BELKNAPS AND
EXCELSIORS.
Welcome by Thousands
of Citizens at the Depot and
Along the Streets.

presented a rare Sp nctaCle of excited
crowds of ladies ard gentlemen, colored
men and woman, boys and girls Of all ages
for the arrival of the returning
militia companies. the BelknapS, from
indianapolis, the Excelsior Guards, col
ored, from Atlanta. The whites were
waiting to receive the BeIknapS, while
the colored people were maSSed to receive
the ExcelSiorS and they were decidedly in
the majority. There were about 5000 at
the depot. The train was % minutes late,
and when it did pull up and stop at the
depot the two bands struck up and cheer
on cheer from the crowd spoke the
welcome to the boys. The BelknapS dis
embarked first and were received by
Uniform Rank Knights of PythiaS draw n
up before the depot. The military band
then headed the procession, followed by
Uniform Rank. eSeOrting the team of the
victorious BelknapS and about a mem
berS of the stay at-hom mes OF the same
company. Following them came repre-
sentatiyes of the local press in carriages,
and citizens in carriages. Proceed
ing to the street cars the
llllJdlN tluUcdl hSu dllu were
through the great thrOng to Military
plaza, where line of parade was formed
and the procession marched through Main
plaza. down Commerce street, across
Alamo plaza, and to Travis Park, where
the tired soldiers were RECALLED with cold
lemonade under the shady trees. Imme-
diately thereafter Hon. A. w. Houston
arose in the pagOda and introduced Col.
w. b. Wright, who made the welcom-
NJ o. ApaCC Hn q nHraSSnH 10 mr. Granp a
the Belkpap Rifles. The assembly around
you this morning under Heavens temple,
IN this land of liberty and free speech,
and under the bright eyes of many
beauties, welcome yOu home. This
speaks more to you than the worlds best
orators You went away enShrined in
our hearts and return doubly so. We are
proud Of you as men of San Antonio and
her various industries were represented
abroad in your company. In civil live
aud peaceful times the cOnstitu-
ton has thrown around you its
dependence Every state should rely
on the militia for its freedom and the con-
StitutiOn provides for their call to pro-
tect its flag. We have only an army Of
., $50. against the millions in the standing
armies of Europe, but the slightest en-
CrOachment on our flags domain would
call forth millions of our trained militia
men, bayOnet in hand, ready to protect or
avenge.
All of America should burn incense.
says a newspaper, to the memories of
Lee and SUOnewall Jackson, as well as
as to Lincoln and Grant, as the
highest patriots Of the world. The bull
wark of liberty is the blood of the brave.
You've gone on field holly contested by
the best trained companies of the United
States, and Texas OringS back as her
achievements, three of the best prizes.
The SeaIeyS of Galveston: the Artillery.
OF Dallas; and the gallant BelknapS, of
San Antonio, who have brought back
second prize. Aud all the best experts of
the country say the Belknap Rifles ought
to have brought first prize.
The soldiers best precept is individual
manhood, patriotism and love of country
Such brought StOneWaIl Jackson TO the
front. The South renders homage to
Grant but also to Lee. The eloquent
speaker then narrated the speech of Lee
At the surrender at AppOmattOX and end
ed with: BE the patriot. the grand man,
the true to liberty, and TO country.
have said all ! can. We welcome you
back to our hearts and our homes with
Gods hest blessings upon you. ! bid you
welcome.
The band played and calls for Capt.
Green were heard. That gentleman res
pended aS follows:
Ladies and gentlemen, we thank you
| all for this welcome and hearty appr Cia-
| ton of what we have done. This was the
| first occasion in our history that We
| went distinctly as representatives of the
| city. as the citizens, this time, were kinC
| enough to send US. How we kept yOm
| trust You all know. All expected us tc
| take first prize, we expected II ourselves,
| before we drilled. We were not so certain
| of it afterward. The BelkuapS hav,
| done well. nevert hclrSS. for the name O
! our town and for themselves. and by
| their good behaviour were well though
of. They were properly behaved. soldier
| y men.
We feel grateful to indianapolis fol
cuUrJo>ieS and tavOrs on all sides. a
! every turn, and this was very deIcatplI
expressed to us. on the Fourth Of July
a we passed under the arch to drlII.whpI
the sunday school children sang and tn,
| band played Dixie. Capt Green thanked
the ladies Of San Antonio for their wei
come, and referred gratefully TO the ladie
of Indianapolis and the care they took o
| them. He ended with thanks to all.
Carlos Bee was then called up
on, and responded in his dry, hi
mOrOuS vein. saying stern word,
| to his comrades, however, whei
he said, I'VE must go to Omaha newt ant
bring back that cup. The "a lcing fee
| will have to stop and cJndOne to a NOR
| military tread in the future"
This ended the welcome and the Grove
dispersed. Tomorrow night, at Muth'S i
| it will be the ladies who will welcome ant
entertain them.
| THE EXCELsIoRS..
While the Belknap Rifles were bein,
marched through the plazaS, and receive,