The herald., 1897-08-25
The Grand Army Crowds
Grew Greater
OLD COMPANIONS REUNITED
AND MEMORIES OF OLD TIMES
REVIVED
The Event of the Day Is the Presi-
dents Response to Patriots
Toast
Associated Press Special Wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
BUFFALO, N. Y, Aug. 24-From
dawn to darkness and from twilight to
midnight the great gathering of the
Grand Army of the Republic waxed
greater and grander. The weather has
been all that could be wished for. The
Grand Army has turned out in greater
numbers than ever before at national
encampment, and this is true also of the
Ex- Prisoners of the War association
and the Naval Veterans and the Wo-
mans Auxiliary bodies. Just as the
songs of victory foated up from the
triumphant hosts of Sherman as they
marched to the sea, so from the old SOL
diers gathered in Buffalo wells up q
mighty mingling of thankfulness, of hap
piness and of joy. From early morning
until late at night Main street held
continuous procession of posts. Scores
Of them brought bands and few, indeed,
had no music.
The features of the day were the ar
l. y
panied by Secretary Alger and Gov.
Black of New York; the banquet of the
president this evening and the parade
of the naval veterans and ex-prisoners
of war this morning. During the day
there were more than thirty corps, brig
AIDES, regimental and company reunions.
The naval veterans, eX-prisoners of war
ladies of the G. A. r. and the Association
of Nurses held their conventions, and
there were many receptions given by and
to the ladies of the auxiliary associa
tions A trip on the lake participated in
by 5000 ladies, was one of the pleasantest
of the many entertainments. This even
ing there were number of camp fires
for the men and receptions and musi-
Gales for the ladies.
Rear Admiral Sears called the twelfth
annual convention of the Association of
Naval Veterans to order this afternoon.
About 300 delegates were in attendance.
Daniel M Kelly of Philadelphia was
elected rear admiral for the ensuing
year over W. M. Atkins by a vote of "a
to 13.
At the opening session of the Ladies
of the G. A. r. today every state ex-
cept Iowa and Indiana was represented.
Mrs Catherine F. Hirst, president, pre-
sided.
Col. Sexton Of Chicago has withdrawn
as a candidate for commander in chief.
OF Cincinnati's success in her race for
the next encampment, there appears to
be little doubt, although Denver doomed
up today as an aspirant for that honor.
Among the prominent arrivals today
were Gen. Lew Wallace and former Com
mander in Chief Thomas Lawler.
The National Association of ex-Pris-
oners of War met in national conven<
tion today with Commander Charles r.
Sheriff of Pittsburg in the chair The
attendance was the largest since the
organization of the association. The re-
port of the adjutant- general showed 63
local associations and total member
ship of 2204.
These officers were elected: Command
er. Charles r. Sheriff, Pittsburg; senior
vice commander, j. l. Kilgour Brook
lyn; chaplain John S. Ferguson, Keo-
kuk Iowa; historian, Louis r. Fortes-
cue Philadelphia; quartermaster gen.
eral, S. H. Longveast, Orange, N. j.:
executive committee, ex-Mayor Dorm,
ST. Paul; James Atwell, Pittsburg; Isaac
c. Selley, Minneapolis, and John P. Dom
ohue, Wilmington, Delaware.
The Loyal Home Workers held a meet
ing today with 100 delegates, represent
ing fifteen states, present. The annual
reports showed that the order was maxi
ing steady progress, its membership
now exceeding 10000.
From the moment that the special
train that bore the president and his
retinue to the city arrived until he re-
tired tonight there was one glorious and
spontaneous demonstration. From the
depot to the Niagara hotel distance
of two miles, the streets were lined with
people. and at the hotel in front of which
there is a great square, the police and
soldiers from the nearby barracks had
difficult work to keep the multitude In
position.
! In response to the continued cheering
of the crowd, the president said few
words from the balcony of the hotel.
AT the banquet this evening the pres
ident was the guest of honor of Column
bia post of Chicago, with 500 other dis
tinguished guests and soldiers. Among
those at the guest table were Command
er C. II. Mcconnell of Columbia post,
toast master of the occasion; President
Mckinley. Commander-in-Ch Chief Clark
son, Archbishop Ireland Mayor Jewett,
General r. A. Alger, Governor Frank 3.
Black. Wilson S. Bissell, H. S. Pingrse
of Michigan and former Commander-in-
Chief Lawler. The toast master intro
duced Gov. Frank S. Black, who extend
ed a welcome for Columbia post to
President Mckinley.
At 6:45 o'clock Senator Mark Hanna
who had lust arrived in the city came
into the banquet hall and was warmly
greeted by the president.
When President Mckinley rose to
speak, for fully five minutes 1t seemed
as though the roof would have to fall
or the sidewalk bulge with the roars Of
applause Of greeting.
M'KINLEY'S ADDRESS
Then the president said. very slowly
and distinctly:
Mr. Toast -master and Comrades ana