CHAPTER VI EIGHTEEN HUNDRED SEVENTY-ONE-SECOND HALF INFANTRYMAN LEADS. DEDICATION OF SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' MONUMENT. PARADE IN HONOR OF PRESIDENT GRANT AND LAYING CORNER-STONE OF POST OFFICE. NO PARADE FOR ALEXIS. LECTURES, CONCERTS. INCREASE OF MEMBERSHIP. CONS INFANTRYMAN LEADS YONSIDERABLE difficulty was experienced in selecting an acceptable person to fill the chair made vacant by the resignation of Commander Hollis. A committee appointed to nominate a successor were unable to agree upon any Comrade, and the matter was taken up by a general ballot. Past Commander Blackmar appeared as harmonizer, and, in the words of the Adjutant's Minutes, "offered some very appropriate and eloquent remarks touching the present condition of the Post; the peculiar need it was in of having at its head a person possessing not only the requisite executive ability, but one who was well known both in the Grand Army of the Republic and by the community generally, of influence and capable of leading the Post in 'Green Pastures.'" He then nominated Cornelius G. Attwood, which was seconded by Chaplain Denny, who, in "an able speech," thought the person nominated would prove an efficient Commander, and would be "able not only to lead this Post in 'green pastures,' but also beside the 'still waters."" This double appeal vanquished all opposition, and Comrade Attwood was unanimously chosen Commander, and his acceptance was greeted with "three rousing cheers and a tiger." The Commander and other officers subsequently elected were duly installed by Past Commander Blackmar as follows: COMMANDER SENIOR VICE-COMMANDER JUNIOR VICE-COMMANDER CORNELIUS G. ATTWOOD. July brought new rituals and a "Glee Club" organized by Comrade George E. Henry. A slight attempt was made at rehearsals of the ritualistic work of the degrees or grades, but it proved distasteful and matters went on about after the same old free and easy method originally and still popular among the Comrades. AUTUMN PARADES Dedication of Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument With the autumn came an invitation to parade at the laying of the corner-stone of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument on the Common, September 18. This duty was undertaken, and the Post marched in the general line, making a handsome appearance. The day was generally observed as a holiday, and the procession, made up of both military and civic bodies, was long and imposing. PRESIDENT GRANT IN BOSTON By invitation of the City Government, the Post again paraded upon the occasion of the visit of the President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant, and the laying of the cornerstone of the new Post Office Building in Boston, October 16. This celebration, like the one of the previous month, was a large and imposing public function. The Post made an unusually fine appearance and ended the day with a lively Camp Fire in the evening. GRAND DUKE ALEXIS A very pressing invitation was received from the Faculty of Harvard College requesting the Post to parade December 8 in honor of His Imperial Highness the Grand Duke Alexis, but Post No. 113 drew the line at Grand Dukes and respectfully declined the proffered honor. INFANTRYMAN LEADS 39 MINOR EVENTS Besides the parades, the Post had a course of eight lectures and four concerts. The attendance was not, however, commensurate with the quality of the entertainments. The second year proved to be very active, and, considering the general depression in Grand Army affairs, must be pronounced remarkably successful. The year closed with the inspection conducted by Department Inspector Welsh. This was a wonderful showing for two years' efforts, though the bulk of accessions were transfers, largely from Posts Nos. 15 and 26. |