Year: 1875

The did not arrive at the City Hall until con-
siderable time after the hour which had been officially
fixed for their arrival but full hour before they came
an immense crowd had gathered in the park II was
found necessary finally in order 10 keep passage way
clear for the emen TO close all tho iron gates but the
main and lane from it the sidewalk formed
by double line OF police who used their clubs freely
when the crowd became anxious get beyond the
dead line. The team heartily greeted their
arrival and they assembled the stairway under the
rotunda which, by the way, gayly bedecked with
flags and bunting the outside balcony Of
the hall itself the cheering was tremendous The
Mayor and the reception committee Of the Board of
Aldermen had preceded them to the Governors Room
there confusion the prelimnaries TO the
formal reception when, headed by Colonel Gllderseeve
the rnemen entered By order of the Mayor the doors
thrown open after the team and their party had
ranged themselves in a sort of semi-crcle where
the Mayor Stood and the result rush for place and
position by the crowd which had followed the team UP
stairs that was perfectly indescribabe When order
restored General shaler stepped forward and said:


Mr.. MAYoR-Permit me to introduce TO you the
American rifle team, of which Colonel GiIderseeye is
captain.


The Mayor then, bowng to the team, addressed them
as follows:-


THE MAYORS ADDRESS


COLONEL GILDERSLEEvE AND GENTLEMEN OF TIE
TEAM-In behalf of the city of New York give you
cordial greeting and welcome homei Every summer
now finds In Europe great number Of Americans dis


nguished for personal qualities and in every walk and
avocation of life; but upon of them has this year
been bestowed half the attention accorded YOU and
am sure none have better deserved it. Originally Sc
leced after competition between those among who
have specially cultivated the of the rife at long
ranges and because only Of the excellence OF each of you
in that single art you have acquitted yourselves as
TO have come home victors indeed in many
trials of skill with the rdemen heretofore
the most renowned in the world. And that
is matter of national interest Excellence in this
art of yours largely contributes to the security OF the
country against public enemy. (Apphuse) When
battles are fought as they now are by troops occupying
positions in which they would heretofore have been
beyond the reach of the weapons of warfare then in
use, half dozen sharpshooters like you, who with
deliberate aim and long range rifles can every shot,
hit the figure of at the distance of 200 yards
more than two-thirds of mile-are very appreciable
addition TO the available strength and to the efficiency
of an army. single officer so shot down by one OF
you may very well be to the enemy loss greater than
the slaughter or capture OF many thousands of
We therefore rejoced that at this particular juno
ture in the history of nations when much moro of
science and skill than before is devoted to tho
weapons and methods OF warfare you have taught all
the world that the American has still the deadly aim
which, with the old hntock musket and the light
rifle OF the backwoodsman achieved for us our national
independence hundred years ago. (Appause). Then
the rule fire when you see the whites OF their
eyes" But when you gentlemen, shall have practsed
awhile at ranges only little longer than those at which
you now shoot, 1t will not surprise US If the rule be-
comes hre as soon as you can see tho hus OF their
ships upon the horizon" and even then shall expect
bull s-eye every time. (Appause( That is all very
we'll gentlemen But you have given US occasion other
than that for satisfaction. By hearted Ireland
and by deliberate England you have been regarded
as what we are very proud and happy to consider you
representative Americans, displaying not merely
the Americans skill in every art which he zealousy
pursues but amid the excitement and alure1hents
which surrounded you, displaying also the very best
American selCcontro, nerve courtesy in one word,
American manhood loud cheersl. Again, gentlemen
give you most cordial welcome home.


COLONEL GILDERsLEEvE's REPLY.
Colonel Gdersleeve replied as follows
Mr. MAYOR AND GENrLEMEN-I should do great injus-
tice the gentlemen of the American rifle team,
whom have the honor TO speak, did fail to acknowl-
edge that we feel much aattered by the compliment
paid TO this day. To you especially grateful
for your attendance in person-you, the distinguished
representative of this great metropolis and for the very
most sincere thanks We also acknowledge obliga-
tons TO the members of the Common Council for
dering us this magnificent room in which to meet our
When we left this city we felt we had
some friends and have returned to find We
have very many. (Applause.) Here in this room,
with the pictures Of SO many distinguished men about
me, l ought not TO be at loss what TO say,
but ought to be in measure inspired by the history
which they recall but am sorry TO say do not feel
inspired. Qaughter The enterprise of the press has
left but little to say about the many excellent people
met, of the great hospitates enjoyed of the
unbounded welcome which the Irish gave us, from one
end OF the country to the other, wherever we went
You have heard all before We can only assure you
that whatever has been written of the and earnest
welcome Ireland gave OF the Kindness the rich and
poor alike showed toward US has not, could not have
fully described it,


Here voice called for 'three cheers for old Ireland"
which were given with Will


Colonel Gilderseevc then continued by saying that
the team found that their American citizenship
passport every steamship and railroad abroad, and
that it often happened that when members of the team
in the streets they surrounded by such
enthusiastic crowds that they had to escape in their
carriages to their hotels They everywhere
ceived they were he said because they citizens
of the United States-not simply because they were
rlemen. AT least it was in this light the team looked
upon the reception they had received in Ireland. and,
believing, they were proud of the greetings they
showered with on behalf OF their native land He
then referred TO the teams return home and remarked
that Judging from what he about him. the saying that
prophet did not stand well in his own country did
apply the of the team. The manner OF their
reception, he said was most gratifying TO them and
abroad, had reflected dscredt on the United
States-ther country. They had everywhere, while
abroad by their conduct abored to preserve the good
OF their native land and that they had succeeded in
doing this the warmth of their welcome home showed
they had, was very gratifying to them In conclusion,
he returned his thanks TO the Mayor behalf
of the team who, he said, fet happy in the thought
and reoiced the victories proudly as they had
reoiced themselves (Cheersl


BoDNE's BULLS EYE.


Loud cries were made for Colonel Bodne when
Colonel Gilderseeve had concluded. "Come out, old
Reliable and let US hear from you'll" cried man in
the crowd. This sally created laughter, which
was followed by rousing cheer Colonel Bodlno
somewhat reluctantly came forward, bushng like a
schoolgirl As the tall riaeman stepped forward he
was again greeted with tremendous cheer His speech
was like the crack of his rife, short and sharp. Look
ing straight at the crowd as if he target in the
distance and determined, usual, to hit tho bulls
eye, he said


Mr. MAYoR-Aner the very able speech OF our most
worthy Captain cannot be expected TO do than
return my most heartfelt thanks


FULToN's THANKS.


Captain Fulton next called out amid great ap.
plause He said that Colonel Giderseeve had so well
covered the ground that he had left but little DO
said. The team had gone abroad a team with no
idea of the reception in store for them but when they
got to Ireland they found they looked upon
resentatives of America Once Of this fact they
had endeavored to behave themselves in such way
to do nothing that would reflect discredit on this
country AS Colonel Gildersleevo had said tho team
felt orat,6ed that tho thew conducted them