The record-union., 1895-04-23
THE RECEPTION.
The Assembly Chamber Crowded in
the Evening.


The Assembly chamber was crowded
to its utmost capacity in the evening, the
occasion being a reception given to the
visitors.
Mayor Steinman acted as Honorary
Chairman and Frank Miller presided.
Governor Budd and his staff were pres
ent. The audience rose and saluted the
flag as it was raised, and Rev. G. A, Ott-
mann offered an eloquent invocation.
Frank Miller introduced Mayor Stein
man, who spoke as follows:
Veterans Of tie Grand i A1,my of the
Republic; The citizens of Sacramento
give you cordial greeting and a hearty
welcome. The city Is yours. We sur
render. When the boys in blue besiege
place, whether in peace or in war; there is
no other alternative but surrender.
AS IN the past, so it is now in the
present-your presence-defender of the
nations glory, preservers of her national
unity, guardians of her honor, receive
from the hands and hearts of her chill
dren all that love, hospitality and pa
triotism can bestoW. The occasion
which summons you here to-day is hal
lowed with recOllections of so glorious a
character that it reaches far beyond ex-
preston IN words. The historic pages
alone can tell your story. In letters of
living light may be read the record of
your noble deeds, your bright achieve
ments, the recital OF your privations and
triumphs, the account of your failures
and successes, both on sea and on land.
You have assem- bled for the purpose
Of keeping alive in the hearts of the ris-
ing generation respect and VeneratiOn for
the lIlustrIous men who gave their lives
to save and preserve us a nation. The
martyred Lincoln, the illustrious Grant,
the indOmitable Sherman, the invincibIe
Sheridan, the fearless Farragut--Ivhere
shall 1 stop?-Meade, Hooker, Porter,
Hancock, WinslOw. the whole Grand
Army, who sealed with their blood the
heritage of our forefathers, whose names
shall be as living monuments to the
nations glory
Immortal names that are not born to die.
Citizens, soldiers of the republic, may
your sojourn with US be one of pleasure.
1t Will be our aim to make it such, and
again l repeat, welcome, thrice welcome
to our city"
For fear that the city would not be
large enough he would introduce to them
gentleman who would present them
with the State-Governor Budd.
THE GOVERNORS ADDRESS.
Governor Budd spoke briefly, saying
that until that noon he had no idea that
he would be called on TO deliver an ad-
dress Of welcome to them. 1t was un-
fortunate that he was away when the in
vitatiOn was sent to him and did not re-
celye it In time. He could not, therefore,
do better than to repeat the words of the
Mayor.
He would not attempt to express his
appreciation of the Grand Army, for
words would fail him, nor would he at
tempt the regard in which they were
held by the citizens, for he could not find
language adequate to do so. He would
welcome 1t TO the State of California and
to IL would say all hail.
THE RESPONSE.
Department Commander Walling re-
sponded, saying that for the time being
he occupied the distinguished position Of
department Commander aud, therefore,
the privilege Of responding fell TO his lot
to respond to this hearty welcome.
They were informed that Sacramento
was surrendered 10 them because in the
days that tried mems souls Sacramento
and the State had always been on the side
OF the Union and for the dear old flag
They did not propose to accept the sur
render OF the city or the State, but wanted
the citizens to keep control of the city SO
that they could mete out such hospitality
as they had hitherto done. They had
come here to transact the business of the
order and 10 meet those who stood side TO
Z.
make new friends. Everyone under
stands why the organization exists. 1t
IS the Outgrowth OF friendships formed
during the war-on the battlefield. in
the trenches, on the picket post, or per-
hapS in the hospital. 1t was natural it
should be so. The old soldiers also
wanted quiet corners in which thew
could brag Of what they had done in the
past, without being laughed at. There
have some grown up since the war who
do not seem to understand this. 1t was
not natural they should, until they had
passed through the same experience.
As boy he reverenCed the flag; but he
never knew what it meant till he saw il
borne through the heat of battle. Even
then he did not realize fully what il
meant, until he saw it floating over the
boat that came 10 release him from prison,
Then he knew what the flag OF his coun-
try meant. The old soldiers pride them
selves on what they have done, and they
have a right to do 50! United with them
IN their work are other organizations
the Ladies of the Grand Army and the
Womens Relief Corps. The sons of
Veterans also are dear to the heart Of the
old soldier, for they feel that into their
hands they must soon resign the reins of
government, and he feels glad that he will
resign them into hands that will love and
preserve the country. He hoped to see
North and South, when teachers would
teach their pupils the difference between
loyalty and disloyalty, and the chill
dren would be asked to emulate the deeds
Of their fathers, and not those of Greeks
and Romans, who were dead hundreds of
years before this country was discovered.
He returned sincere thanks tor the well
come rendered. and assured the Msyor
no ezra police was needed on their ac-
count. Time was when the boys allowed
no chicken to insult, or 40 goose to hiss
at the flag, but those days were past.
FLAG PRESENTATION.
W. 3. Maydwell then said that the
Women's Relief Corps had come TO the
conclusion that the Department of Cali
fornia ought to have a flag, and as it has
none they intended TO present it with one.
He introduced Mrs. Gibson, the De-
partment Commander of the w. r, c..
who, with few eloquent remarks. pre-
sented q beautiful flag 10 the department.
Department Commander WalIing is
sued an order that the comrades imme-
diately salute the flag with the cheers.
and the ladies OF the auxiliaries salute il
with their handkerchiefs. The order was
obeyed with will, and the chamber rang
with the cheers.
Commander Walling responded, re-
turning thanks for the department for
the beautiful banner, as no gift couId give
more pleasure, coming from the ladies' of
the auxiliaries.
Comrade Gridley then sang ssTbe FLAG
OF the Free" in style that brought him
much applause.
profaasor HapC13c C~oI,a.. i.