The National tribune., 1893-03-16
NEW ENGLAND CONVENTION.
Sons of the North in Enthusiastic and Fra
ternal Sessions.

The American House, Boston, was the scene of
the first fraternal meeting of brothers from the six
New England Divisions, who gathered to greet
each other at the festive board Tuesday evening
Feb. 81. The capacity OF the banquet hall was
taxed to provide seats for 400 more who pos
sessed banquet tickets
Prior to the feast His Excelleney VIM. E Rus
SELL held an informal reception in the parlors Of
the committee, and after greeting those present
with cordial hand shake, lie made pleasing
speech and assured the brothers of his kind inter
est in the affairs OF the Order.
AT $50 y. m. the brothers were seated at the
tables and feasted on the good things the menu
provided. The after-dinner exercises did not conI
mence till after 10 o'clock and from that hour TO
past midnight the hull echoed with applause "a the
guest made some telling point in his speech. Past
Colonel G. X Darling of Massachusetts. oficiated
as POSTMASTER with rare ability.
The following speakers responded to toasis:
"The United States" Assistant Postmaster G. W.
Ernst: "The State of Massachusetts" A. = Pinker-
ton President of the State Senate; The City of
Boston," John II. Lee; The Grand Army of the
Republic" A. S. Cushman. first Commander and
organizer of the Department Of Massachusetts,
GAR; Woman" George ). Evans, Pas. De-
partment Commander of the GAR; The Vol
unteer Soldier in the Civil War" Gen. John w.
Kimball, State Auditor; The Sons OF Veterans,
Past COMMANDMENTS Chief Frank p. Merrill. The
exercises closed by singing America
The snow king was raging furiously, but 3)I
delegates met in Faneu Hall, Feb. %, imbued
with love OF the Order and anxious to exchange
fraterna greetings with brother members. so that
inside the hall the warmth OF friendship strongly
contrasted with the cold and bitterness OF storm
outside.
Al 10 o'clock the meeting was called to order by
Past Col. w. A. Stevens Chairman Of the Execu-
tive Committee, and Past Col. II. NJ. Vessels, of
Connecticut. was chosen temporary Chairman;
Bro G. ID. Rooney, of Massachusetts,. As temporary
Secretary A general discussion of the affairs OF
the Order and what basis the association should
organize, resulted in the appointments OF Com
mitee to nominate officers and make recommends
lions for action which resulted in naming the or
gnnization THE New England Association OF Sons
of Veterans U. s. A.. with the following officers:
President. Past Col. III. NJ. VESSELS, OF Connect
cut; Vice Presidents lone from each State, except
ing the State where the President resides)-Maine
Col. r. Il. Fairfield; New Hampshire. Past Col. f.
c. Libby; Vermont, Past COL G. f. Terrill Nlassa-
chusetts Past Col. c. K. Darling Rhode Island,
Col. W. NJ Z. Bowen. The President appointed
Past Capt. F. s. Valentine, of Birmingham, Conn.,,
as Secretary and Treasurer.
IL was decided to make the organization purely
OF n social and fraterual character every member
of the Order in New England being eligible to
membership upon the payment OF 81 per year, so
long as he remains in good standing in his Camp.
No action OF legislative nature was taken, the
meeting being more of a Reunion than anything
else. 1t was, however. decided to meet In Boston,
Feb. o. 1894.
In the evening Campfire was held in Faneuil
Hall, and the "Old Cradle OF Liberty received
patriotic rocking. Leut.-Go Roger Wolcott made
n fine address of welcome. and assured the deie-
gates that Boston would welcome them again In
isol Speeches were also made by the several Com
nanders of the Divisions, and at 10 y. M Secretary
c. d. Rooney pronounced the benediction and was
accorded an ovation for the success OF the meeting
may be largely attributed 10 ms uhtirlhg ehor's-
The first meeting of New England will pass into
history as one OF the pleasantest fraternal gather
iugs held within its borders.
AFrERTHOUGHTs.
Music was provided at the banquet by an orches-
ira composed of members of Camp 60 OF Boston,
and at the Campfire by band composed OF nem-
bers of Camp 81, of Chelsea.
Sickness prevented COMMANDMENTS Chief Hall
from attending, consequently everyone was dis
appointed.
Chief Leland j. Webb was received with sadness.
A telegram conveying the sympathy of the associa-
ton was sent to Mrs. Webb.
PAST Com imam del. in Chief Frank p. Merrill was
in his glory, and kept the boys i'll good humor by
his witty speeches.
Past Col. Joe Maccabe, Massachusetts, favorite
son. made but one speech during the Convention.
but in that speech aroused great enthusiasm, and
he received an avalanche of applause.
The New England brothers were represented by
a bright set of delegates, and every one was awake
TO the ORDERS interest