The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1897-06-15
THE OPENING DAY.
The Thirteenth Annual Encampment
Opened This Morning Under
Auspicious Conditions.
Interesting Ceremonies at the Opera
House-Speeches of Welcome
and the Responses.


the number already in Princeton Ow-
ing to the change of time, which was
not thoroughly advertised, there was a
smaller attendance than was expected.
Custer Camp, No. SO, and Ladies' Aid,
No. 1, were stationed at the depot tore
ceive the arriving guests and they were
joined by the visitors who had arrived
on Monday. A procession was then
formed and proceeded to the opera
h ouse in the following order:
St. Paul Marine band,
Rines Post, No. 142, G. A. r.,
Custer Camp, No. SO, Sons of Veter-
ans,
Drum corps,
Visiting Sons of Veterans,
Drum corps,
Ladies' Aid, No. l,
Visiting members of Ladies' Aid So
ciety.
The parade was quite an interesting
one covering three blocks in length
and was witnessed by hundreds Of PEG:
pie, who lined the sidewalks from the
depot to Main street, as it passed along
to the strains of martial music and
with banners flying, while cannon
doomed their salutes.
AT THE OPERA HOUSE.
At the opera house the proceedings
were opened with music by the Marine
band, after which Rev. F. H. Roberts
invoked divine blessings upon the en-
campment and it's visitors and i'm
plored that the weather may be pro-
pitious for the week. He eloquently
referred to the veterans of the war and
their heroic services as we'll as the
principles they have instilled in the
hearts and minds of their children,
from which came the organizations
now meeting in our midst.
Col. Patterson next introduced G.. A.
Dickey, president of the Citizens Com
mittee, who spoke in part:
I'm the great and ceaseless struggles
giles of the human race, every
great principle has had it's sponsor
and every great truth has had it's de-
Tenders. To the strangers on our
streets to-day the question will natur-
ally arise, what means these parades,
these uniformed men. what do they
mean to the American people? These
bodies have their part in the history
of our country. These veterans sac
rifced many things and the truth pre-
vailed. Many are gone and now their
sons appear upon the scene of action.
They are here to perpetuate what
their fathers did and they are ready to
sacrifice their lives and property to
maintain the principles for which they
stand. There never will be need for
them to take up arms to defend the
principles for which their father:
fought. But they are before the nation
as a sign that there are still men in this
country to take up arms in defence o
right. The battles between right anl
wrong are not all settled yet. In tha
spirit we welcome you most heart
lily to Princeton and hope that you
sessions will be profitable and tina
. you may go away saying it was good t.
have been here"
Mayor Galley followed, saying: sou
citizens have looked to your comin
with pleasure. Therefore you will fin
the latch strings on the outside of al
our houses. Therefore we give you tn
/ freedom of this village if that mean
7 anything. We know how proud W
5 felt when jeff Davis gave US the free
5 dom Of Petersburg. Now, go in, boys
and have good time"
Capt. Morse of Camp No. 1, Mime
apolis, responded in behalf of the div
sion. He said in part: "As I saw thes
gray-haired veterans, these ladies an
. all citizens in line to receive us at tn
depot, as I saw the beautiful decors
- tions of Princeton, felt it a pleasur
: to reply to these hearty greetings {
welcome. We thank you for all 20
| nave uOlIO lOE OuE OuUCI LuOuU w
: feel it is right to have these veteran
+ with US, who have spent years of thei
t lives for a cause which we honor /
) represent at least in spirit. While "
) are here as your guests we shall s
!. conduct ourselves that it shall hay
|. been a pleasure TO you to have had ,
e with you. And we will SO conduct tt
affairs of our institution that the pc
pie of Minnesota shall say, well dor
y Sons of Veterans. AS I stand hel
: looking across this hall into the coul
q tenance of that great man, with tt
9 lovelight beaming from his eye, Abr
e ham Lincoln, applause can imagir
g his spirit lowering over us, sayin,
u Remember the past and its deed
! Forever protect these principles whic
= we have defended and handed down