an arch of flowers crossed the stage, with the motto, " the defender of the mothers will be the preserver of the daughters; " and, as the hero with his generals advanced on one side, a troop of girls, in old-fashioned muslin frocks, came to scatter flowers before him, singing the song of long ago: -- " welcome, mighty chief, once more welcome to this grateful shore; now no mercenary foe aims again the fatal blow, -- aims at thee the fatal blow.