The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-09-23

or the tlIty-UTSt ODlO. lut flItu AOEpcc uciU
their reunion in Grant tent. DIR. J. F. Raub pre-
siding. There was no lack of speakers among
the men who fought under the Greek cross.
SOCIAL EVENT OF THE WEEK.
Receptions to Members of the E-neampment
Addresses by Morton and Palmer.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 22.-The leading social
event of the week in honor of the Grand Army
was ME reception to the members OF the Ma
tional given by the citizens OF
Washington this evening in the spacious court of
the Pension Office building. The interior of the
building had been handsomely decorated. At
either end Of the hall near the top were the p"r-
traits of Lincoln and Grant, and on the side
walls we're those Of harrison and Morton.
The having the reception In charge
had wisely restricted tile Invitations to- a limited
number of citizens and to the officers and MEM
hers of the -encampnIent. The crowd. therefore,,
while large, was at no time uncomfortabiy 30.
and locomotion was easy A large platform nad
been erected in the center Of one side OF the
court for the accommodation OF those persons
participating in the exercises, Ire Ma,
Washington, furnished music. Among the
prominent persons on the platform we're
place: ex-President Hayes. Secretary John Fos-
ter, Postmaster-general WaDamaker. zen. John
Palmer. the retiring commissioning OF the
Secretary HalfOrd, senator Manderson, and Mr..
Grinnell. the Third Assistant Secretary OF the
State. After taking their places on the platform.
Commissioner Douglas introduced Vice-presi-
dent Morton, who delivered the speech OF vel
come as follows:
Delegates to the Encampment OF the Grand
Army of the Republic-The pleasant duty de-
wolves upon me TO extend TO You, the official rep
resentatlves of the great and patriouc order, the
natural successor OF the armies OF the republic
that during the dark hours OF the nations trial
followed our glorious flag until IL waved In trf-
umph in every State with no star efaced, words
OF greeting aid of welcome. This L do oil behalf
of all the citizens of the national capital. and
more especially for the executive and other COM
mittees, TO the members OF which so much is
due for the abundant success that has crowned
their every effort. Difficulties arose only 10 be
overcome, and during all the months OF active
preparation and vigorous effort they permitted
no obstacles to block the way 10 the complete
fruition OF their aim to make the twenty-slNth
erlcamplnento of the Grand Army OF the Republic
one that should ever remain as a cherished neln-
DRY and live in history. The oinmitte repre-
SCENTS not only the citizens OF Washington, who
have given such generous aid and valuable sup
port. but the patriotic people OF the whole land.
rejoicing in a Nation saved, whose hearts 40 out
i'm appreciative love TO her defenders. The wis
dom OF Congress decreed that the burden or this
entertainment should fall wholly upon the resi-
dents of this city. There are many all over tho
land who felt that the government itself should
have assumed IL. but the. glorious success we
here enjoy proves so conclusively the self-sacri-
ficing patr4otism of the citizens or Washington
that no man will hereafter dare to say that they
are iack,n so M app% dV your comrpdes marehed DOWN a
the avenue hundreds or thousands gathered 10
witness your steady movement. shouted acclaim
and rejoiced III your triumph. Tonight simply
make feeble echo of their welcome and hearty
When the applause following the ,vice-presi-
responded as follows:
"Mr. Vice-president. Comrades of the Grand
Army of the Republic. Ladies and Gentlemen
The committee did me great honor IN again
assigning to me the pleasure of speaking for my
comrades, but after the tax TO which | have been
subjected 1 feel that my health aud strength are
scarcely equal TO my will To serve you or TO do
justice to this grand occasion. and to speak for
my country as ii deserves to lie spoken OF, or to
give voice To the emotion which must thrill every
Americans heart as he thinks of what it was.
what ii is and what, under The providence OF
God, IL must be in the future. L speak tonight
for a class of men, none more reso-
lutte in adversely. none more brave in
danger, and none more magnaniInous In victory.
The soldier Is sometimes charged with egotism;
IL is pardonable egotism. | am sure, when causes
him To contemplate the dangers and vfcissitudes
through which he passed. with so much service
to his countryInay may J no. say WIN 80 nucn
country's history our volunteer soldiers fur
nished. traced with their guns and punctured
with their swords. They conquered as brave an
army as ever stood in battle array. We respect
Ell the gallantry or those men 40 only those can
respect them who tested their endurance and
valor on many battle-nelds; and tonight we
glory in the fact that they share In all We
fought to preserve. Ii these festivals
OF patriotism serve no other purpose
tucl VIZ BOAhS Oot " tNO PCOptO "
the Nation, to our children and our children's
children, that love OF country, that reverence for
the Constitution and the laws. which, In the
future, as they have been in the past, must be
the anchors which hold us firmly TO a solid, per-
manent and prosperous nation in existence. And,
from the time the weapons were put aside and
they returned 10 the vacations OF civil life, they
have been as loyal to law and order, as citizens,
as they were faithful and heroic in the cause in
which they served as soldiers; and the man who
stands ready To give his life for his country in
time OF peril can safely he trusted I'm time of
peace. l care not TO which party he may belong.
ITO the citizens OF Washington, TO the commit
tee who gave SO generously OF their time and
energies. 1 have no words at my command TO
express for my comrades their grateful appre-
citation for the magnifcence or this reception,
and for the generous hosp.talities lowered upon
all who have visited your city on this memorable
generously aided in adding 70 our pleasures, and
who are present tonight. | can only say for my
comrades. God bless them all.
Looking tonight upon these national emblemsy
which so beautifully adorn this building, 4 am
reminded that out OF this grand structure goes
the certificates of a nations substantial graft
tude 10 her sons; that tighten the Durdens OF
their toll. and remind them OF the glory and
greatness OF their country. lis said that repuh-
Iics are ungratefnl. but ingratitude Is not one OF
the characteristics OF the American Nation. par
ticularIy towards the mel who. at the peril OF
their lives. made II possible that we should
gather here tonight. under the folds o. the stars
and stripes, representing a Union OF forty-four
States and a prosperous people. No country un-
DER the blue canopy OF heaven has been moro
generous 10 It's ueltuutTs, anu 4 KNOW OF no Ia
ton on the face of Gods green earth whose peo-
pie responded more promptly and more
cheerfully TO the call OF duty. Further
evidence of the gratitude OF the people
OF this great Republic is the selection TO preside
over the affairs OF the Nation OF one who, CON-
rades. stood ready TO give his life for the preser-
walton OF the Union, and. speaking ont of the
depths OF my own heart. and voicing the senti-
ments and feeling of every cOmrade, regardless
OF party, we pray that He who ruleth armies and
nations. and guideth the destinies OF all man
kind, may restore to health and strength his be-
loved partner in life. and continue TO grant him
health. strength, fortitude and wisdom TO meet
the perplexities and responsibilities or mis- posi-
ton, and that the people Of the Nation may cay.
with one acclaim. Well done. good and faithful
servant. you reflected honor on the name of the
American Nation and you were q credit TO the
great order of which you arc . meEber--the
Grand Army of the Republic"
When General Palmer had finished his speech
there were loud calls for ex- President Hayes.
Postmaster general Wanamaker and Secretary
Foster. each ar whom responded briefly and
happily. During the evening the presentation
OF the national standard by . guard Of honor.