The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-05-23
VETERANS GATHER Annual State EncampmeHt of 6. A. R. Now in
 Progress in this
 City. GOVERNOR AT CAMP FIRE Among the Speakers at the Exercises in New Ha-
 ven Theater.
OFFICERS ELECTED TO-DAY
Reports Presented Yester- day Show a Healthy
 Condition.


 The fortieth annual department en- campment of the Grand Army of the Republic of the state of Connecticut opened in this city yesterday and will conclude this morning with a business meeting in the New Haven theaters at which the officers of the department will be elected as the principal matter of business.
 The annual camp fire session was held in the New Haven theater last evening, a large gathering of veterans and their families being present. The theater was attractively decorated with red and white bunting over the balcony, and American flags draped from the boxes, while the stage, arranged with a wood- land scene was fianked with the nation al and state emblems. Department Commander Virgil F. McNeil of New Haven was master of ceremonies. The speakers table was draped with the American flag and the legend "Connec- ticut."
 The exercises opened with an orches- tra selection which was followed by 8 very fitting invocation of the divine blessing upon the assemblage by tho department chaplain, William F. Hil- ton. A quartette selection followed after which Commander George c. Reynolds of Admiral Foote post deliv- cred the address of welcome to the members of the Grand Army from tho i local post.
 1 Mayor John P. Studley on behalf of I the city extended the municipalitys ] welcome to the veterans. He recalled a number of events of historic interest in connection with the history of New Haven.
 The orchestra varied the programme with medley of popular and patriotic airs. Department Commander Virgil F. McNeil delivered the first response In part he said:
 My first meeting in New Haven on { an occasion similar to this was in 1889, and the welcome of its people seems as hearty now as ever. Who are tho Grand Army and what is the purpose for which 1t was formed? I It is composed of those who served in the great war of 1861 to 1865, men who were honorably discharged from the service at the end of that time. It was not formed to glorify our deeds on the 4 Seld of battle. It's main object is one of charity, to see that no comrade, nor any of his dependent ones shall ever suffer want while his more fortunate l ,5 I,o x,ln hV1d f, the noble work of our auxiliary much has been achieved.
 We are approaching another of those l days when we honor the graves of our dead with floral renembrances and tribute. And if by chance there are graves of any confederate soldiers in our cemeteries let us not forget to leave our floral tributes there The worst thing of the war was the animos- ities engendered by it and we must en- deavor to overcome them.
 The victory of Appomattox will bear but imperfect fruit if we win not the hearts as well as the flags of our con- quered
 Charles IA. Appel of Middletown deliv- cred the second response. In substance he said: You all know I belong in Middletown. Conn.
 "The disbanding of the armies after the civil war was the best kind of a test of republican institutions. The army melted away like mist in the morning, quietly and peacefully, while the nations of the world looked on with open mouths. This put the stamp upon us as the greatest nation upon earth.
 "The United States to-day is the arbi~ ter of the world. Her flag is the oldest distinctly national standard on earth
 When we look upon the great pros- perity of our nation, brothers, there is ore thing that we can say, I had al hand in it!' You made 1t possible for ty-two years ago when you settled the question of union or disunion." l fNon4f,o,nI aa EN4fb Donra