Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1897-09-02
~ .ooo = MA. n.
The Grand Armv or the Republic In
Camp at SuffaIo.

The thirty. first annual encampment
of the Grand Army of the Republic
was held at Bufralo and attracted one
of the largest assemblages OF veterans
of recent years. The first days pro-
gram consisted of a reception to Com
mander-in-chief Clarkson, the opening
of Camp Jewett, city of tents on the
bluff shores of Lake Erie at the mouth
OF Niagara river. Thousands of veter-
ans and other visitors made the first
iav an opportunity to see Niagara
falls and other points of interest.
On the second day the visit of the
nations chief executive, President Nc.
Kinlry. and his party, which included
Secretary OF War Alger. was an attrac-
ton drew The thousands back into the
city. From the moment that the spe-
cial train that bore the President ar
rived until he retired, there was one
glorious and spontaneous demonstra-
ton. Even when wi, Mrs. Mckinley
and Gov Black the President had en-
tered his hotel and vanished from
sight, there followed after him the
cheers of the people until he was
obliged TO come to the balcony where
after order had been restored. he made
"a brief speech of thanks for the gen
erous welcome given him. Later in
day Columbia Post. OF Chicago, arrived
at the hotel and acted as escort to the
President TO the Ellicott building,
where the post entertained the Presi-
dent at banquet. AS the President
passed from the hotel to the banquet
hall the police had to literally drive
way through for the carriages, and at
the Ellicott club the corridors were so
drnsely packed that the President had
to be lifted through by stalwart police
men. In the reception room of the
club he met prominent citizens of Buff
falo and then he entered the banquet
hall as the guest of honor of Columbia
post, with 500 other distinguished
guests and soldiers. When an elabor-
ate menu had been discussed to the
satisfaction of the guests the toast
master called for Gov. Frank 5. Black,
of New York, who extended welcome
for Columbia post TO President Nc
Kiuley. When President Mckinley
was introduced for fully 1--WE minutes
it seemed as though the roof would
have to raise with the rOars of applause
and gree ting He was finally able to
be heard and he replied in n pleasant,
simple speech which caught his hear
ers' fancy and the applause was re-
peated when he had finished. Secre-
tary of War Alger. COMMUNICATIVE Chief
Clarkson, and Archbishop Ireland were
among the other speakers.
There were fully 100000 people on
the streets of Buffalo when the $4,000
veterans Of ls6l-65 marched before the
applauding multitude to the strains OF
martial music which brought back to
them with great vividness many scenes
which had grown dim in the intervening
years. 1t was grand, a noble an, inspir-
ing patriotic sirht TO see these $4,000
u,s7.r--lsrvy trrurctivvr Unt straa,s u,h;ch
were made glorious in too-rr,.uiotrs vi
flags and bunting, receivin. the ova-
lions of the vast throngs of people.
The President of the Union they fought
To save, himself their comrade, was at
their head. The procession moved for
dressed in the coors of the flag seat
tered flowers in the path of the sol
diers. President Mckinley rode in a
carriage at the head of the procession
and waved his hat at the cheering
crowd. At the reviewing stand he
took his position with Commander-in-
Chief Clarkson and Gov. Black, and
the headquarters staff passed in review.
Of all the throng viewing the process
sion no one person was more enthusiasts
tic or more affected by the sight than
President Mckinley. With his hand
on his hat, continually uncovering to
the national colors or the salutes of
the veterans, the President watched
the array of old heroes march by.
After the parade luncheon was
given to the President and his party,
after which he was driven back to his
hotel. The closing events of the day
were a public reception to the President
at Music hall and reception by the
Loyal Legion at the Buffalo club.
The business sessions of the eucamp-
rlent were full of go" and after
speeches Of welcome by Gov. Black
and Mayor Jewett COMMUNICATIVE Chief
GARRISON gave the annual address The
report Of Adjt. Gen. Burmester showed
that the total mem bership of the order
in good standing June 30, 1896. was
1902 posts with 34l,6lO bers; on
Dec. 81, 1896. 7.276 posts with 327.4l2
members; on June 30, 1897. 7,10G posts.
with 3d. 56 members. The gain by
muster in was 1854; by transfer.
1881; by reinstatement; 1l.2D7: from
delinquent report. G,s07; total 5000.
The losses were, by deaths, 7,515; hon
orablc discharge, 1857; transfer. 4,642; |
suspension, 30,771; dishonorable dis |
charge, All; by delinquent reports, |
s.9Sl; by surrender of charter, GOO; |
total, 5i,lS3. Inclu linz the members !
remaining suspended June 30, 1897,
(i3, 36 , the total on the rolls is 90. SIG. |
The election of communicating |
chief and the choice OF city for the |
9S encampment were the most inter-
esting features Of business. pennsyl |
vania captured the first prize. J. - $
Goblin, OF Lebanon. being elected over
three other aspirants. Cincinnati and /
san Francisco were contestants for the l