Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-07
ROUS|NG CAMP FIRE
Convention Hall Thronged
With Veterans.
SPLENDID DECORATIONS
MANY STIRRING ADDRESSES
MADE.
War Songs Sung, Old Glory Every
where and the Speakers Enthu-
siastically Cheered.


The vast area of Convention Hall was
wholly inadequate to seat the great con-
course of comrades of the Grand Army of
the Republic who wished to join in the ex
ercises attending the camp fire that was
held there last evening. Patriotic addresses
were delivered by Commander-in-Ch Chief Tor
rance and other comrades, stirring songs of
the war were sung and the Marine Band
rendered numbers that recalled the battle
field and the tented camps. The hall was
deliberately decorated for the occasion. The
great eXpanse of vaulted ceiling was COM
pletely covered with bunting and about the
walls and suspended from above were mann
moth American flags. 1t might have been
the tent of a victorious commander-in-chief
bedecked with the flag for which his army
fought. Along the western side of the hall
a large stage had been erected above which
were the insignia of the various army corps.
Banners bearing seals of all the states were
suspended about the hall. The stage was
filled with prominent comrades of the
Grand Army and the ladies accompanying
them. AS the comrades and their friends
arrived an were presented with small flags.
These flags proved one of the pleasing fea-
lures of the occasion. AS the strains of pa
trioticmusic were heard during the evening
the thousands of people present waved the
stars and stripes, keeping time.
Beginning of the Exercises.
At o'clock the Marine Band played
medley of patriotic airs Yankee Doodle"
and Dixie" proved equally popular. AS the
seals of the states exhibited about the halls
represented every section so the medley of
popular airs were of the north and of the
south.
AS the sound of the Assembly died out
Comrade S. E. Faunce, chairman of the
committee on campfires, called the gather
ing to order in a few well chosen words.
He extended most cordial welcome to
comrades and friends He predicted that
the week would be filled full of pleasure,
and would always remain pleasant men,
Dry. The comrades had earned this pleas
ure as well as all others by their patriotic
service to the country.
Rev. DR.. Couden, the blind chaplain of the
House of Representatives, pronounced the
invocation in the absence of Rev. Thomas
n. Boyle, chaplain of the order.
DR.. Couden gave brief picture of the
strife of the rebellion and of the mental an
guish and suffering of the women and chill
dren who remained at home.
Blessed is the nation which has been
made great by this sacrifice" he prayed.
The comrades who went down in battle,
those who persisted in prison pens and hos
pitfalls, were also called to mind as well as
the widows who were eking out life on
a pittance of So month. The blessing of
God was invoked on these as well as the
veterans who were present. In conclusion
he pictured the gathering Of the whole
army at the last day
The President and his advisers were pray
ed for as was the future prosperity of the
country.
An octet and the Marine Band rendered
the Battle Hymn of the Republic The
singers were George H. Lillebridge, leader;
Bella w. Beebe, David H. Clark, William
n and 1ior,, L
e. Rice, DR.. F. K. Sweet and DR.. F. A.
Woodman. A salute to the flag was con-
Quoted by guard of veterans. and after
the strict military function had been gone
through with the order to rest arms" was
given and the sextet sang Rally Round
the Flag" in which the whole camp Joined.
Gen. S. s. Burdett's Address.
Comrade Faunce then introduced Cen 8
S. Burdett past commander of the
G. A. R., as chairman of the meeting.
Comrade Burdett first read a letter from
Secretary Cortelyou stating the Presidents
regrets at not being able to attend the
camp fire, but expressing his sincere desire
and expectation to review the parade
"A letter from Admiral Dewey stated that
he intended to be present.
don't know If the admiral Is here" re-
marked General Burdett, but If he is here
he may fire as soon as he is ready"
Applause and calls for Dewey. Dewey"
however, met with no response.
A letter from Admiral SchIey also was
received with cheers and applause The
admiral wished clear skies and a successful
convention.
A brief introduction was made of Com
rade B. H. Warner. A grateful country
said Mr.. Warner, was meeting at this camn
hre. There was no north, no SOUTH no east
and no west Mr.. Warner emphasized the
fact that Washington was the capital of
the veterans who were here whether in
or he
terday 1t was the desire of those who
lived here to have the veterans carry away
with them the desire to make Washington
a greater and more beautiful city than il
now is. He spoke of the welcome which
had been prepared. THE city is yours"
he concluded. Make the best use of it and
carry away the best recollectons you can
gather
Marine Band, in which bugle calls were
produced from various sections Of the hall,
preceded the address Of the commander-in-
chief, Ell Torrance Comrade Torrance
was introduced by Comrade Burdett who
suggested that the commander be received
standing. The audience arose and three
rousing cheers were given.
Gen. Torrance's Remarks.
Commander Torrance Congratulated the
assembly upon the OCCASION the union of
the comrades and the unity of hearts. He
mentioned the splendid appearance Of the
hall, and he congratulated the local COM
mittees.
These flags are beautiful beyond the
power of speech to describe said the COM
mander as he pointed to the huge flags
draping the ceiling.
IF the men Of Washington's time could
come in here tonight, the first thing they
would notice would be this same flag. We
could say that we have not only preserved
all that they had achieved, but had added
not one hundred fold, but nearly four hun
dred fold. Each star represents a new ad-
dition. This flag reflects not only every
deed Of valor but every virtue that wss
ever depicted on mothers face"
Commander Torrance related a story Of
the civil war, in which a captain predicted
defeat before an engagement, and remarked
as he was little lame he would go now.
Faith in our country and in its future
were the essentials of good citizenship
now that war was over. The "reminiscences
Of war were far different from the realities
Of war. For forty years, he said, there
were comrades here who had been slowly
diving for that flag and IN them he I'll Il