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Show LAST NIGHT'S BANQUET. The banquet at Iho Commercial Club last night, combining the functions oC 1 the annual banquet of the club -with tbo welcome to tho. grand officers of the Grand Army of the, Republic, was a brilliant, bril-liant, success. Tho attendance was representative rep-resentative of the best of the city, in all walks of life and shades of opinion. The welcome to our distinguished visitors vis-itors was spontaneous and hearty, and was received by them in the samo spirit"! in which it was tendered. The speakers all vied in expressing tbo united wish of all the peoplo to entertain tho Grand Army encampment next year, their devotion de-votion to the Nation, and their veneration venera-tion for the lofty causo for which the veterans fought, as well as for the veterans thcmsolves. Commander-in-Chief Xavius expressed his satisfaction with tho cordiality of the welcome of himself and his comrades com-rades here, and with rhe city, lie was convinced that tho Grand Army could bo well cared for here, and that all facilities for the encampment 3re ample. But. he said that thoro was one drawback; draw-back; tho railroads thus faV "have not been disposed to grant the bno cent a mil T8to which ths veterans require. Formerly this rate was conceded and the encampments brought together great hosts. But for the last two encampments encamp-ments tho roads have uot conceded, that rato and the attendance was in consequence' conse-quence' largely diminished. He called I upon the people here to use their strongest influence to obtain a one-cent rate, which, if conceded, would absolutely abso-lutely secure (he encampment here, with a mighty host, including the women's auxiliary societies, of seventy thousand persons. Needless -to say, there will bo no lack of effort on the part of Salt. Lake to bring about a compliance such as will content the Grand Army with the railway rail-way rates, and so malio suro tho coming of tho encampment. If they do uot succeed, it will not be for lack of effort, and they -will strive with earnest purpose. pur-pose. Accordingly, this city will iu-dulge iu-dulge in the lively hope of having the encampment here next August, and all the inhabitants will welcome wel-come that grand concourse with the utmost cordiality, laiueuting only that its members are so dreadfully lessoning lesson-ing year by year. We hope to see them" here in force next August, in all their glorious array. They will all be welcomed' with gladness, and their stay among us will be madd a 'remombrance of. .ioy. as was the sojourn of the other choseu of God among the. fruitful palms and by th? sweet waters of Eljra. |
