The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-03-01
Thomas Posts Re-
ception to Shafter.
WAR VETERANS AT BANQUET
CAPToR OF SANTIAGO GIVEN AN
ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME.
He Addressed His Old Comrades and
Feelingly Thanked Them for
Their Cordial and Sincere
Welcome.

The reception extended by George H.
Thomas Post No. 2, G. A. R., to Major
General William R. Shafter and the Off
GERS of the battle ship Iowa at the Cali
fornia Hotel last evening was a most
gratifying success, despite the fact that
Captain Terry and his officers were not
present.
The committee of arrangements had in
vited the officers of the Iowa and up to
the last moment they We're expected The
banquet was delayed until after o'clock,
hoping they would arrive. Neither Cap
tain Terry nor any of his officers, how
ever, put in an appearance, and what
was worse, they sent no excuse for their
absence.
1t is thought by the members of the
post that possibly Captain Terry and his
officers did not receive their invitations,
or that there was some miSunderstand-
ing as to the date of the reception.
The banquet was held in, the main din
ing room of the hotel, which had been
appropriately decorated for the occasion
with flags. bunting and flowers. General
Captains Plummer and McKittrick, while
Nearly 200 members of the post were In
attendance. Colonel C. A. Sumner pre-
sided at the banquet as POSTMASTER
speeches, the occasion was enlivened by
music furnished by an orchestra AND by
several selections which were rendered
by the Plymouth Quartet.
Prior to the speeches A. j. Vining intro
duced Colonel c. A. Summer as the pre-
siding officer of the evening.
Colonel Sumner stated that the OBJECT
of the reception and banquet was Tor the
purpose of extending welcome to MAJOR
General Shafter. He stated that the post
was glad to extend any honor to General
Shafter as he deserved it, in view or the
past events of national history. This re
mark created wild enthusiasm and clearly
showed that his auditors were men capa-
BILE of approaching hard-won victories
He excoriated the yellow press and It's
contemplate attempt to besmirch General
Skaters name and said that nothing
could lessen the high esteem in when he
would be held by the veterans of the late
and civil wars, as well as by every man
who at heart possessed the true instincts
of manhood.
Horace Wilson delivered the address of
welcome to General Shafter. His remarks
speaking of the harsh criticism that has
been heaped on General Shafter, he SAID:
This is an age of detraction, but TO the
veterans of four years hard fighting, who
appreciate what you have done, the abuse
of the envious counts for nothing In
closing his remarks he said It was with
the truest and most abiding affection that
the members of the post welcomed back
to California General Shafter.
General Shafter was next introduced;
AS he rose from his seat he was accorded
an ovation In feeling terms he expressed
his appreciation and heartfelt thanks for
the cordial welcome that had been eX-
tended TO him.
General Shafter then said: 81 am not
going to defend the Santiago campaign"
Cries of 1T does not need it, o. were vel
shouted from all sides. General Smarter
then briefly outlined the dominant facts
in the Santiago campaign. He was given
the closest attention, and his remarks
were frequently interrupted by cheers and
'drhe Army and Navy was responded
to by Major Field. In addition there We're
speeches by Seldom Sturgis, D. c. Smith,
W. r. Parnell and w r. Smedberg.