The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-04-25
THE GOVERNORS GUARD.
Welcomed Home by 1900 People--Ad
dress by the Governor.

Welcomed Home by 5000 People-Ad-
dress by the Governor.
A year ago knots of people gathered
around the bulletin boards in front Of
the newspaper offices of this city, watch
mig with eager interest the dispatches;
for it was certain that war against Spain
would be declared.
On Tuesday, April 10Th. Congress. by
resolution. recognized the belligerency Of
the republic of Cuba. and the resolution
was signed by the President Develop
ments followed fast. On Sunday. April
24th. the morning newspapers contained
the official proclamation of the Presi-
dent. calling for 1o5,000 volunteers to
enforce the action of this country that
Cuba must be freed. by armed interven-
ton il necessary. Under this call North
Carolina was to have three regiments.
Governor Russell issued his call for
these troops in April, just one year ago.
A patriotic feryor swept over the State,
and the first company to volunteer was
the Governors Guard, of this city.
They went fearlessly. periodically.
They served faithfully uncomplainingly
Brave men and true they proved them
selves; amid whatever dangers they were
thrown, whatever hardships they had to
endure they never feared or faltered.
And Sunday they came back, as on
Sunday they had gone away.
And a royal welcome greeted them
never was there more cordial. moye
patriotic reception accorded hero and sol
der.
with skens of silver mist stretched
Al. Il, H.. a
free. bouyant wind from the west swept
across the face in cool gusts. The air
was full of fragrance from sweet grow
ing grass and bursting bud.
The day was perfect.
In TO the station the people crowded,
until there must have been some 1000.
waiting patiently to get first glimpse
of "the boys; to get first hand-grasp
of some son. husband, brother or sweet
heart.
And then outside, the thick soft grass
Of Nash square was trampled by hun
dreds of feet and along the street on
the line Of march piazzas, porches ana
even sidewalks were thronged.
The crowd could not have numbered
less than 5000 and but for the fact
that it was Sunday, and that the churches
were UDiulnS ScFNlCcS ut lliiS liptb1 IL
would have been twice as large.
Surely the hearts of ''the boys must
have swelled with pride ut the vast
throng that greeted them as they stepped
from the cars. 1t was a great welcome
the largest demonstration ever accorded
any military company by this city.
As the train rolled in cheers burst from
hundreds of throats, and soldiers foot
hardly touched the platform before he
was seized and carried away by friends
and relatives.
Because of this it was well-nigh i'm
possible to keep the men together To
march TO the capital. where short
speech of welcome was made To them by
Governor Russell
From the station to the capitol they
were escorted by the following orgariZa
tons:
The citizens committee
The city and county officers.
The l.. OBJ. Branch Camp Of C0nfedo-
rate Veterans
The Gen. Meade Post Of the G.. A. r.
The A. and NJ. College drum and buglc
corps.
The A. and NJ. College cadets.
Ex-members of the Governors Guard.
Chief Marshal W. c. Stronach and his
assistants.
At the capitol the order of exercises