The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-02-08

escorted to the Narraga Dsett Hotel where
he registered. After removing eome OF
the dust of travel 10 acr ompan 81 his con
rsos to the Broadway M. 4. church and
took part In the services preceding the
burial of a soldier who served this coun-
try in ono of the most famous regiments
sent to the seat OF war ty the State Of
Rhode Island.
After the funeral Com mander In Chief
Clsrkson and the other visiting officials
were escorted to the Narragansett Hetsl
where they met large number Of the
memters of the Grand Army and promi-
nent citizens In civic life. There were =
good many hearty hand shakes before 3
o'clock at which hour the visitors were
escorted to the City Hall where His
Honor, Mayor McGuinDess gave recep-
tion. The ceremony was simple an
especially agreeable to the visitors a. ii
afforded them an opportunity OF meeting
friends without the fatigue which accom-
panies more or less Ostentstious formal
ity. The city's palace was besieged by .
good many persons desirous of o personal
touch wit h the distinguished guest and
his associates and the brief ceremony was
fruitful of deal of satisfaction to those
who admire splendid manhood.
Major Ciarkson is a large, finely formed
man, with a personality that would com.
mand attention In any company. His
large ana Impressive head, crowned with
thick iron gray hair. his erect and
soldierly bearing and court'y manners,
anToaled to everyone and he vas the man
of all others In town.
Following lnis Agreeable ceremony, the
guests and several of the hosts drove
around the city and visited several poin,s
of gener, | interest. II was quite evident
that tie commander liked the city and lie
people with whom he came In contact.
From TO y O'Clock this evening Com
mander Clarkson aud the stan officers Will
be given a reception at the residence OF
Pat Department Commander, Alonzo
Williams. Distinguished men from oil
parts of the State will be present. To-
morrow evening the members of the
Womens Relief Corps Of the Department
of Rhode Island, will hold Q reception
in honor Of the con m incer at the lrocs-
dero. After that ceremony there will 10
a banquet rendered TO William II. stone
The roiiriDg department. conmsnces. This
will take place ut the Trocadero.
Outside Of the great political Offices.
there is PROBABLY no more important post
IN the country than the bendspip OF
tine Grand Army of the Republic. with
its membership OF mere than three hum
dred and fifty thousand, and It's activity
and iufluente In putli affairs.
Major Ciarkson, of Omaha, the present
com mmender of this remarkable orgsDiza-
ticn, was one of the very nrst men VINO
volunteered for duty at the optbresk of
the civil war. President Lincoln's pro-
clsmation was not two hours old wben he
enlisted in Battery "A of tho First ililDoit
Artillery. Ills first service was win
Grant NJ Cairo. Later ne took part 10
steele's carr psign in Arkansas. and saw
lighting almost eoutsntly throughout
the war In the West, winning his wSy
from the ranks TO msicr's commi.klons-
Born af Gerttysburg. Pennsyiyspis-
the home OF Thaddeus Stevens, after
whom he was named, Major tlarkson
settled I'm Omaha after the war. Pfcsident
Harrison appointed him postmsster nf
the NebrasSs city. and ne retained The
office until about two years ago. lie hss
taken q warm interest I'm the deveiop-
ments OF the Grand Army. and served In
feversl of its minor o1ices before nis
election to the national commsrder.hip
at last years snosmpmsnt In st. Paul.