The Jersey City news., 1899-04-27
FOUR THIS OVATION
Thousands Cheered the Vol
unteers in the Ar
mory Last Night.
MAYOR PRESENTED MEDALS
His Honor Praised and Con-
graduated the Men
Detail Drilled.

1 AS the "Star spangled Banner rang
out through the Armory last evening,
about seven hundred well drilled and alert
young men lined up in six companies be-
| fore the western balcony. The. scene was
a most inspiring one. Every man looked
the part of a typical soldier. The
/ spectators easily four thousand in num-
| ber cheered the boys to the echo. Then
| came the speeches and presentation of
| medals.
| AS early as seven o'clock crowds began
| to gather about the picturesque Armory
and a rush was made for seats in the
balcony when the ponderous iron doors
| facing ON Bergen avenue were thrown
| open Almost before on had time to look
around the chairs were snapped up.
A portion of the balcony at the eastern
end was reserved for the Grand Army
men. About two hundred of these battle.
SCARED veterans were present. None
cheered and clapped louder than they
when the volunteers lined up before the
balcony. Every balcony seat was filled
before a quarter of eight.
The box seats, or at least the majority
of them were at the disposal of the sub
seribers, and what were left, were quickly
filled up. The centre box was prettily
draped with American flags and bunting.
This was reserved for the Reception Com
mittee and Colonel Robert G. Smith.
An effort was made to keep the bal
cony where the band was tationed, clear,
but the crowds became SO great that the
small force of policemen was helpless.
Stairways and landings were utilized
when the building became greatly crowd
ed. Every available bit of standing room
was used. Chairs and tables were taken
from the company rooms and on these
many stood, looking over the heads of
those on the platform. Never before were
so many people crowded into this spacious
building The sight was a beautiful one.
The fair sex predominated in the bal
cony.
When the assembly sounded at half-past
eight for the Volunteers who last July Of
fered their services to Uncle Sam, all
eyes were turned on them. Seven hundred
well clad, neat appearing men lined up on
the big floor. Cheer after cheer greeted
them. One to look at the men from the
balcony, would have thought there were
seven thousand instead of that many
hundred.
The men received a great ovation. The
condition of the men was a subject of
much discussion. Comments on the fine
military bearing of the men could be
seemed bent on making creditable show
ing, with the result that the lines formed
were precise and worthy of much com
mendation.
1t was not until after the presentation
of the medals that the four thousand
spectators were treated to pleasant sur
prise in the way of drilling.
The arrangements of the Reception
Committee were carried out to the letter.
The members were on hand early, and
all preparations were carried out like
clockwork. The regiment band logged
out in the regulation army uniform, un-
der Chief Musician Salem r. Davis, was
stationed in the balcony, and at half past
eight struck up the Star Spangled Ban
ner." The selection was excellently rem
dered and elected tremendous applause.
When the rolls had been called and the
men lined up, facing the western bal
cony, Chairman Frank o Cole delivered
the address of welcome. He praised the
volunteers, saying that great credit was
due them for the alacrity with which
they responded to the call for men last
July. 1t was fortunate, he said that their
services were not required. Although
they had not been through the smoke of
battle they were always ready to obey
such orders if the country demanded their
services. He said that it was a pleasure
to formally welcome home the Hudson
county boys of the Fourth New Jersey
Volunteers, and added that the people of
this county were proud of the men who
offered their lives in defence of their
country's flag. He then introduced Mayor
Hoos The Mayor said, in response to
much hand-clapping:-
"OGicers and Privates of the Fourth New
Jersey Volunteers
fIt is my pleasant duty this evening to
formally receive and present to each of
you as a token of our esteem and affection
a medal commemorative of your services
to your country in the late war wi-h
Spain. On behalf of our citizens and
/ extend TO you a most cordial welcome.
1 assure you that I deeply appreciate the
honor of formally receiving you this
evening, and will forever cherish the re-
collections of this evening among the
pleasantest of my life.
1.-THE elaborate reception prepared for
you on the day of your return by grate-
full city was nlarred by heavy down pour
Of rain and the uncertainties concerning
the hour of your arrival, but this evening
makes full amends for the disappoint-
ments of that day. We were prepared %
give you rousing welcome, boys, and as
you remember, the committee awaited
gramme as contemplated had to be aban-
your arrival at the depot, but the pro-
doned.
About nine months ago, on the thir-
teenth day of July. when at our country's
call you volunteered your services to
maintain the nations honor, bade you
farewell and God-speed, confidently be-
lieving that you would maintain the
honor of your city and State, to the last
drop of blood If necessary. You went out
to fight and you would have fought as
only true Jerseymen and Americans can
fight when called upon to do their duty.
Fortunately it was mot necessary for
you to take active part in battle and as
a consequence the pleasure of your re-
turn is not marred by ranks depleted by
death, and the tears of wives, sweet
hearts and kin. We have watched your