Evening star., 1897-07-29
Washington Givessthe Morton Cadets
a Rousing,R Reception.
HUZZAHS, FIREWORKS AND BANQUET
Champions Of tfe World Regard
less Of San Antonio Decision.
A PLEASING SURPRISE

The Morton Cadets as they last evening
stepped from . the Southern railway
train, which had borne them through
the long and tiresome journey from
San Antonio, Texas, were accorded a
reception OF such magnitude and of so
much warmth that the depression Of defeat,
whether warranted or not, was swept ell
tirely away. The homecoming warriors
were received as though they were cham
pions three times over, and the boys will
probably never forget the demonstration
and the kind words said to them. A street
parade of generous proportions, followed
by banquet and speechmaking, consti-
tuted the reception.
AS the company drew nearer home the
members grew more impatient. AS the
train approached Danville, the entire party
gave three hearty cheers for old Virginia.
Alexandria and even Jackson City were
hailed, and when the Washington monu-
ment loomed up in the dusk, the shaft was
hailed with delight. Home, Sweet Home
and Home Again were sung with en-
thusiasm as the train pulled into the 9Th
street depot.
At the Depot.
The prize winners were welcomed as they
alighted from the train by a committee OF
the stay-at-homes. Line was formed, and
the Morton Cadets marched through the
solid mass of cheering humanity to Penn
sylvania avenue. There fireworks were ex-
ploded and bands and drum corps played.
AS the company proceeded to its place at
the left OF the line, the escort presented
arms. Without delay the parade moved
west on Pennsylvania avenue to 18th
street, to New York avenue, where the
Mortons were again passed in review.
Those in line were the following: Lieuten-
ant Colonel Urell and staff, John B. Hen
derson Drum Corps, two companies of the
Washington Light Infantry Corps. under
the command of Major b. R. Ross: 4th
Battalion of the National Guard, COM
manded by Capt. ]. NJ. Williams, Captain
Macleod marching at the head of Com
pany B, Captain Streeks with Company G
and Captain Redmond. Company B; the
st. Johns Drum Corps: the I'd Battalion.
Major Richard A. O'Brien; Company A.
commanded by Capt. L. c. Edwards and
Potomac Drum Corps, preceding the Ma
tional Fencibles, under Captain Domer. the
special escort of the Mortons. The stay
at-home Mortons were in the rear of the
FeIclbles and they followed the drill team.
On the Line of March.
Capt Shilling and his prize winners
were extended an ovation all along the line
of march. Fireworks were discharged con-
stantly, and the spectators lining the side
walks cheered themselves hoarse On en-
tering the quarters at the armory the boys
were warmly welcomed by the mothers and
sisters and sweethearts gathered there.
Eiscarding blankets, bags and equipments,
the company was again formed and
marched to Freunds, where, without de-
lay the tired and hungry soldier lads de-
voted their attention to the discussion of
an elaborate menu.
When the appetite had been satisfied, Col.
Cecil Clay of the I'd Regiment, who pre-
sided. raped for order and made pleas
ant address. There are societies formed for
the purpose of honoring their ancestors
who We're minute men. said Col. Clay, but
he saw no reason why Washington could
not be proud of its second men. At we'd
ding ceremony the first man, the groom is
not the best man; that parsonage is the
second man. Col. Clay declared that the
entire National Guard of the District was
proud of the Morton Cadets, and he added
that the National Guard is not such d bad
lot when you compare it with outsiders.
The colonel extended the boys a welcome
on the part of the I'd Regiment the 1st
Regiment, and the entire brigade
I'VE know you did the best you could"
concluded Col. Clay, land everybody knows
what that means. They don't care a snap
what the judges at San Antonio an
noUnced."
Capt. Charles S. Domer, who was loudly
applauded when he entered the room, was
then introduced as one who knew some
thing about the drill business. Capt DOM
er stated his pleasure at being granted an
opportunity to congratulate the Morton
Cadets. He disliked, he said, to impeach a
decision of army judge, and not having
witnessed the drill, he could not properly
criticise the drill of the Governors Guard
II know the Sealy Rifles, Company D of
st. Paul. the Thurston Rifles and the Belk-
nap Rifles" continued Capt. Domer, "and
l can truthfuIly say that you achieved
honor by defeating them. 1 assure you
that the National Fencibles are in sympa-
nj
on securing second place, and sincerely
wished you would secure first homer
Col. UreII's Estimate. p
Lieut.. Col. Urell. in a stirring speech,
said that In his opinion, although the Nor
tons did not return with the cup, thay
brought with them the championship, not
only of the United States, but of the world
Col. Urell thought that the people of
Washington should bear the expense of the
drill companies that journey far away and
work so hard for the honor of Washington
and the District Guard.
Maj. Richard A O'Brien, after relating
an amusing experience at Fort Washing
ton went on to say that the District Ma
tional Guard Is without peer He COM
plimented the Morton Cadets for their good
work and spoke in the highest terms of
Captain Shilling, who. he said, brought the
company to its present state of perfection,
after having resumed command of the or
ganization when it was about to be mus
tered out of the guard for inefficiency.
Major O'Brlen is proud of the Morton Ca
diets. he explained, because they entered
the guard as a member of his battalion and
are again under his command.
An Unbiased Opinion.
Mr.. Allen D. Albert, jr., and other news
paper men who accompanied the team to
San Antonio, told of the good work and
the absolutely perfect drill put up by the
boys way down in Texas. In the opinion of