Watterson At A Campfire

The veterans olosed the day's doings with campfires last night, the most important of which was the one at the Musio hall, which was attended by 4,000 old soldiers. The campflre opened with "Marohing Through Georgia," played by a military band. Honry Watterson, edi' tor of the Louisville Courier Journal, then made the welcome addross in behalf of the citizens committee. He spoke in part as follows : "Comrades, for under the star-flowerod flag of the Union all who truly love it are comrades, in the name of the city and state I bid you the heartiest welcome. I have been in every state and territory of the Union and I can truly say that I nevor carne away from any. one of them where I had not found something to make me proud of my country. "Let the dead past bury its dead. You at least have no reason to complain. You. got away with as many of us as we got away with you. The brave men who havo gone to heaven have long ago settled the account bcforo that court where all is made right that so puzzles us here. God reigns, and the government at Washington lives. That sliould satisfy us all. If there is any more fighting to be done, let's go and lick Englmul and take Canada; lct'sgoand lick Spain and take Cuba; let's go and lick creation, and make the unspeakable Turk vote the American ticket. We can dolt. Shoulder to shoulder, with the world bcfore us and Old Glory above, who shall stop us? "The monstrosity of slavery out of the way; the foolishness of secession out of theway; the nation having aetually had its new birth of freedom ; what but ignorance and prejudice is to hinder the stalwart American in Minnesota from taking the hand of the stalwart American in Georgia and calllng him 'brother?' Both carne from a common origin- good old Anglo-Saxon and Scotch-Irish stock- and ars welded together by common interest and a common destiny. "This is an occasion for rejoicing, for merry-making; not for reflection. If anybody thinks he's thinking, wake hlm- he' only dreaming. If anybody thinks he's not' welcome, tie him. If there's a dog thatfailsto wag his tail for ioy, shoot him. We are glad to see you. We are glad you canie. Now that you have found the way, come agaln and come of ten. The latch-string wtll always hang outside the door, and the only password hall be, 'I am an American citizen.' " Watterson VTiis frequently intorrupted during his ipeech by applause, and when he flnlshed Wie building fairly shook with the oheers that wore given for him. Commauder-in-Chlef T. G. Lawler reiponded. He sald: "I want to say to you that I accept your welcome. Not for myself alone, but in the name of 800,000 Graad Army men. You havo given us a royal and loyal welcome. I have been all over the country during the lost year and evory where I went I met comrades who, without exception, were looking forward to coming to this great gateway to the south wlth pleasure. ïhoy wanted to let the boys of the south know that there was no longer any north or south, but thafc all are one and for old glory." At the camp firo at Phcenix HUI park, Congressman Walter Evans presided. The muslc and rocitations were excellent. The main address of the ovenlng was by General Simon Bollver Buckner, tho commander of the Confederates at Fort í)onaldson and elsewhere. General Buckner'a speech was repeatedly and enthusiastically cheeredby the federal veterans. General Buckner had been in the parade during the day. At the National park campflre the crowd was cqually large, the programme of musio and recitations being elabórate. John H. Leathers presided. Campflrea were held also at Camps Caldwell and "Weisinger, New Albany and Jeffersonville. Receptions were given the lady officers and Mrs. Hixst, also to General Lawler and others. Most of the state department3 of the W. R. C. held receptions last evening.