Horatio u. .>,.,. A Srrnri 0^ r ^ ? 1 1 n 9 GIVEN TO THE initial 0f ||onor IC^Ston nf tl|r Mnitril g'Jatra By the Local Members and Citizens of Philadelphia Sl)ur0i>ai| m\h iFrt^a^. Niibrmbrr fi mxh 7, 1902 Pror^^btuQfi iif tlTi> ffirgtnn IN iFrtlian. Nohpmbrr 7, 1902 National Officers for 1902 MOSES VEALE, Commander, Philadelphia, Pa, PATRICK J. KYLE, S. V. Commander, Charlestown, Mass. CHARLES A. ORR, J. V. Commander, Buffalo, N. Y. JAMES MILLER, Chaplain, Philadelphia, Pa. WM. J. WRAY, Adjutant, 122 S. Seventh Street, Philadelphia, Pa. CHARLES A. CLARK, Judge Advocate, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. GABRIEL GRANT, M.D., Surgeon, New York, N. Y. NOBLE D. PRESTON, Quartermaster, 2312 Poplar Street, Philadelphia, Pa. WM. L. HILL, Inspector, Portsmouth, N. H. J. MADISON DRAKE, Historian, Elizabeth, N. J. Executive Committee STEPHEN P. CORLISS, Chairman, Albany, N. Y. M. EMMETT URELL, Washington, D. C. SYLVESTER H. MARTIN, Philadelphia, Pa. JOHN C. HUNTERSON, Philadelphia, Pa. JOHN F. MACKIE, Philadelphia, Pa. I. Minutes Twelfth Annual Convention of the Medal of Honor Legion of the United States In response to the call of Commander Moses Veale, the companions of tlie .Medal of Honor L 'gion of the United States met in convention in Pliiladelpliia on Tliursday and Friday, November Gtli and 7th, 1902. The Pliiladelphia Contingent of the Medal of Honor Legion, with Colonel Charles M. Retts, cliairman, and William J. Wray, secretary, addressed themselves to the pleasant task of providing entertain- n)ent for the visitiiig companions that sliould fully sustain the proud character oin- city had attained among all classes, and the soldier ele- ment in particular, for generous and hearty liospitality. Several meet- ings of the Contingent were held. Tlie following committees were ajipointed: Local BANQUET Charles .M. Betts, Cliairman. John F. Mackie, St. Clair A. Mulholland, John C. Jluiitersoii, Noble D. Preston, •Moses Veale, Wm. J. Wray. PRINTING Noble 1). Preston, Cliaiiinan. Edmund English, J. Ceorge Ortli, Geo. H. Stockman, Martin E. Scheibner. HOTELS John C. Iliniteisuii, Chairman. Wm. K. D. Blackwood, Georfie A. Sidman, ^ J. AVallace Scott, * Peter McAdams, John C. E'wing. J. Henry White. HALL AND DECORATIONS Jno. F. .Mackie, Cliairman. Daniel Caldwell, Jas. G. Clark, Joseph Fisher, John Lawson. CONCERT St. Clair A. Mulliolland. Moses Veale. COMMITTEES PRESS Sylvester H. Martin, Chairman. St. Clair A. Mulholland, O. W. Bennett, John Wainwright, J. Parke Postles, Eaward J. Gilligan, Alfred J. Sellers. SOUVENIRS Wm. J. Wiay. Cliairman. Sylvester H. ^lartin, Charles M. Betts. FINANCE St. Clair A. .Mulholland, Chairman. (has. .M. Betts, Treasurer. W'm. J. Wray, Secretary. Kichard Binder, John C. Ewing, Frank Furne.ss, James IMiller, Sylvestei- H. .Martin, .Nlichael McKeever, (reorge C. Piatt, Noble 1). Preston, Elhvood D. Williams, Moses ^*eale, John H. R. Storey. RECEPTION Moses Veale. Chairman. George C. Thomas, Frank Furness, St. Clair A. Mulholland. Noble D. Preston. All the arranffenients were perfected by the various committees and the liberal linaiicial responses from members of our own body and the citizens generally gave assurance of success before the assembling of the companions. Headquarters were established at Dooner's Hotel, Mr. Peter Dooner, the proprietor, having generously donated the use of his hotel parlors for our use during the convention, and also providing a silk banner. "Welcome, Medal of Honor Legion," which was afterward pre- sented to the Philadelphia Contingent. The following program had been printed, an A. ^[.--Convention: Independence Hall. Chestnut, between Fifth and Sixth streets. 2 P. M.— Carriage ride: Assemble at headcpiarters parlors, Dooner's Hotel. 7 1'. M.— Banquet: I'nion League, Broad and Sansoni streets. Those accompanied by ladies will be admitted at the Moravian street entrance. W. J. WRAY, Secretary. CHAS. M. BETTS, President. The Union League, whose name is a synonym of noble deeds and patriotic actions, at once gave its assurance of paternal care by offer- ing to provide a banquet in its magnificent banqueting hall for the companions and their ladies. This was to be a distinguished honor, as never l>efore had ladies been admitted within the building on a sim- ilar occasion. The various committees, by hard work, lovingly done, had every- thing In readiness in good season, and Chairman Betts was in posses- sion of sufficient funds to guarantee the complete success of the Con- tingent's plans, including the payment, for the most part, of this pam- phlet. Later, General Sickles, the new Commander, recpiested the Quartermaster to have additional copies sufficient in number to pro- vide every holder of a Medal of Honor with a copy, for which General Sickles, personally, bears the additional expense. At 0.45 P. M. a reception was held in the foyer of the Academy of Music, at Avhich his Honor Mayor Ashbridge and prominent army and navy officers, Loyal Legion and G. A. R. representatives, and leading citizens took part. Music for the occasion was furnished by Professor Glnding's orchestra. A pleasant feature was the large number of ladies present. Following the reception, at 8 o'clock, came the complimentary con- cert in the Academy of Music. The concert had been arranged by Marlnme Louise Natali-CJrahain. She early entered Into the spirit of the occasion und the Music Committee, consisting of Commander Veale and General St. Clair A. Mulholland, found pleasure in giving to her a flee hand in making arrangements. Her pronounced ability as an or^'Jinizer of musical talent and her own brilliant voice contributed much to the great success of the entertainment. The large house was well filled with a highly appreciative audience. The following pro- gram was presented and admirably rendered, many of the pieces call- ing for encores: American Academy of Music CONCERT in honor of "Congress Medal of Honor Legion" Thursday Evening, November 6, '02. PROGRAM PART I 1. Overture^Tanhhauser . Wagner (Jermania Orchestra. Under the direction of Mr. Wm. Stoll, Jr. 2. Richelieu Murray Mr. Henry ITotz. 3. Visions Guy d'Hardelot Miss Anna Elizabetli Kelly. Violin 01)ligato by Mr. Edwin D. Brill. 4. Ah, Non Credea Thomas Mr. Ernest J. Hill. 5. Polonalse-Mignon Thomas Mme. Louise Natall. Orchestra under the direction of Mr. S. Behrens. 6. (a^ The Day of the Lord Kreutzer (b) My Old Iventucky Home Foster United Singers of Philadelphia. Under the direction of Mr. H. G. Kumme. INTERMISSION. PART II 7. Sextette-I^ucia Donizetti Mme. Natali, Mr. E. J. Hill, Mr. Frank B. Ball, Miss E. Skilton, Mr. I. Lord, ISIr. Henry Hotz. 8. (a) Nocturne Brassln (b) Canzonetta Dupont Mrs. J. Percy Warr. 9. O: Mio Feniaiulo Donizetti Miss Ethel Skilton. 10. Largo al Factotum Rossini Mr. Frank B. Ball. IL (at Sleeping for the Flag iby request) Dauks ^b) She Stoops to Con. Peakes and Mrs. Frank B. Ball. The audience will kindly join in the chorus of Star Spangled Banner. ADJUTANT'S REPORT The twelfth annual coMvej)tion of the Medal of Honor Legion of the United States conA-ened in the Declaration Chamber of the revered old Independence Hall, in Philadelphia, on Friday, November 7, 1902, at *J A. M. In calling; the convention to order. Commander Closes Veale spoke of the historic room in which the companions were assembled, paid a glowinj;- trii)ute to our organization and feelingly expressed his great aj.ipre<-iation of the honor of having served as Commander of so gallant and honoralde a body of men. He then called for the reading of the roll of members. The following eomi)anions responded to the roll call by the Adjutant: George E. Albee. New Haven. Conn.; Everett W. Anderson. Phoe- nixville. Pa.: Marion T. Anderson, Llewellyn G. Estes, Christian A. Fleetwood, Charles F. Kand. Edwin M. Tr'uell and M. Emmit Urell. Washington. D. C: William Archinal, Trenton. N. .L; George G. Bene- dict and Oliver O. Howard. Burlington, Vt.: John Bresnan, George W. Brush. Cornelius Cronin. John Evans, Walter Jamieson. Horatio C. King. ^^Mlliam Matthews. Walter Thorn and James W. Webb, Brook- lyn, N. Y.: Franklin G. Butterworth, Derby Line. Conn.: Thomas Cruse, and Henry C. Merriain, Wayne, Pa.; Joseph K. Corson, Plymouth Meet- ing, Pa.; Charles C. Davis, Alexander H. Mitchell, John C. Delaney and Ferdinand F. Kohm. Harrisburg, Pa.; Austin J. Durney, Centerville, Md.; J. Madison Drake, Elizabeth, N. J.; .Joseph L. Follett, John B. Fassett. Gabriel (irant, Edward P. Grimes. William S. Hubbell, Abram P. Haring. William L. Heermance, Benjamin B. Levy, George W^ Min- dil. Charles E. Morse. John J. Nolan and Daniel E. Sickles, New York city; Frederick Fuger and Charles E. Phelps. Baltimore, Md.; Chester S. Furman. Bloomsburg, Pa.; Edward L. Gilligan, Oxford, Pa.; Samuel B. Home. Winstead. Conn.; Charles H. Houghton, Jersey City, N. J.; William H. Howe. Everitt. Mass.; G. H. Harrison and Patrick Kyle, Charlestown. ]\rass. ; Francis Hall. Plattsburg. N. Y.; Charles F. Hop- kins, Boonton, N. J.; George H. ISIaynard, Waltham, Mass.; George \V. Mears. Rupert. Pa.; Philip Petty, Daggett, Pa.; J. Park Postles and John A^'ainwright. Wilmington, Del.; Henry W^. Piowe. Boston, Mass.; Cyrus Sears, Hai-pster. Ohio; IMartin E. Scheibner. Camden, N. J.; Henry C. Wartteld. I'hilllpsburg, Pa.; Paul H. Weinert, Brighton. Mass.; James M. Young. Jamestown, N. Y'.; Charles M. Betts, O. AV. Bennett, Richard Binder. William R. D. Blackwood, Richard Connor. Daniel Caldwell. James G. Clark. N. H. Edgerton. Edmund English, John C. Ewing. Frank Furness, Samuel Goodman. John C. Hnnterson. John H. Lawson. John F. Mackie. Slyvester H. Martin. James :Miller. St. Clair A. Mulholland. Peter McAdams. ^Michael McKecver. Jacob G. Orth, George C. Piatt. Noble D. Preston. Robert Penn. J. W.allace Scott, A. J. Sellers, John H. R. Storey, George D. Sidman, George H. Stockman, Moses Veale. John M. Yanderslice. J. Henry AMiite. Elwood N. Wil- liams, William J. Wray and >Villiam R. Frick. Philadelphia. Second Class Members— Richard C. R. Binder. Thomas G. Clark, Anna S. Hunterson, Elizabeth M. McKeever. May E. Richardson, A. Y. Blackwood Sinnickson. William McD. Yeale and Charles W. Wil- liams. Philadelphia: Gerald E. Cronin and Laura B. Thorn, Brooklyn. N. Y.; Harry I^. Follett. New York city: G. Park Postles and William H. M. Shilling. Wilmington. Del. The Chaplain then offered an earnest and elotpient prayer, after which the Connnander annomiced his honor. Mayor Samuel H. Asli- bridge. The Mayor was escorted to the platform and in a few well- chosen, patriotic and eloquent words extended on behalf of the city a hearty welcome to the Legion. The Commander responded on beli;ilf of the Legion, thanking the Mayor and citizens, after which the Maym- took his leave amid hearty applause. The Commander then announced the convention open for business. The Adjutaiifs report showed new members received during die \e:ir. lirst class, 2:\; second class, 6; deaths, first class, 13, second class, 'J: resignations, first class, 1; advanced from second to first class by in- heritance, 2; total uKunbership, first class. 480; second class, G8— 548. Ueturned tlianks to the Commander for selecting him for the honored I»t>sition of Adjutant, etc. The Chaplain's report showed his attendance at all the meetings of the I'hiladelphia Contingent and present at the interment of Compan ion Collis. On motion report was received and placed on file. A letter was read from the (irand Masonic Lodge of renns.vlvania, e^tending an invitation to tlu> Legion to visit tin- Masonic Temple, wIhtc the "NVashinglon relics vrere exhibited. T'i)()n motion received with thanks of the TiOgion. On motion tlie convention went into an executive session. On motion of the Adjutant the executive session rose. On motion of Companion Thorn, of New York, the convention again resolved into an executive session. On Motion tlie session I'ose. Under the luad of '"new business" communications were read from publishers of "Deeds of Valor," asl^ing for aid and endorsenuMit of their proposed corrected edition. On motion it was rec-eived and filed. 'J he following resolution, ])y Companion King, of New York, was ado])1ed: Kesolved. Tlinf \]n> Mc(ial of Honor Legion, in session at its an- nual reunion in Inde])endence Hall. Philadelphia, cordially endorse the bill now i)ending in Congress and passed by the Senate, for the estab- lishment of National Parks, embracing the battlefields of Fredericks- burg, Chancellorsville, the Wilderness and Spottsylvania, and urgently request its passage at the approaching session. Companion P.rush. of New York, then offered the following: Kesolved. That the thanks of the Medal of Honor Legion be extend- ed to the Pliila(lc]i);iia Contingent of the Legion, and the patriotic citi- zens of Philadelphi.i for the hearty welcome which they have extended, nnd for the generous provisions which they have made for the comfort and entertainment of the visiting Companions and ladies. Unani- mously adopted. On motion the sum of .'?12r>.00 was voted to Quartermaster Preston for services durini;- the year. Companion lOstes, of Washington, stated that the time had arrived when a new set of By-Laws should l)e framed, and moved the ap- pointment of a committee for such purpose. The Commander appointed Estes. of Washington. Adjutant Wray and Quartermaster Preston as the connnittee, to report at next reunion. It w:is stated th.'it Companion Blackmar, of Boston, had met with an accident during the (i. A. R. Encampment at Washington, by being thrown from his horse, and was confined to l)is home and unable to be present. On motion a vote of symi)atliy was extended to him by the convention. Here a photographer from one of the daily newspapers re(!uested the Companions to remain (piiet and look pleasant while he took a "time" picture, which Avas done with excellent results. Election for oftii'crs being in order, the following Companions were placed in nomination: «;ommander, Ceneral Daniel E. Sickles, of New York: Senior Vice Commander. C.eneral L. (L Estes. of Washington. D. C; Jimior Vice Commander, .losei'h <). (iregg. Great P'alls. ^lontana: Chaplain, Rev. William S. Hubbell. of New York. The pleasing feature of these nominations were the seconding of General Sickles for Connnander by General Howard, in his felicitous way, and the placing of the name of Hubbell for Chaplain by the re- tiring Chaplain. .Miller. Th«>re being no opposition, the .Vdjutant was instructed to cast the ballot, and they were declared duly elected. Letter was read from Companion White, of Pliilaclolpliia, referred to the Committee on Revision of By-Laws. Companion Albee, of Connecticnt, was talven ill upon his arrival in the city, and was unable to be present at the convention, and wished It stated that an Invitation was extended by Companion General Shat- ter and the citizens of Los Anjieles, California, for the next meeting of the Legion be held there during the G. A. R. Encampment in that State, promising a most cordial and hearty welcome. Under the rules the invitation was referred to the Commander and Executive Com- mittee. After Commander Veale thanking the Companions for the support they had given him during his administration, and for the large at- tendance at the reunion, on motion the convention adjourned. W. J. WRAY, Adjutant A local photographer, Mr. Llansbury, 914 Chestnut street, requested the Companions to assemble in front of the Independence Hall for the purpose of having a photograph taken, which was done after adjourn- ment. A beautiful, large-sized photograph of all the Companions was the result. . QUARTERMASTER'S REPORT Herewith 1 submit report as Quartermaster of the Medal of Houor Legion from the date of my appointment, October 19th, 1901, to No- vember Istj 1902: GENERAL REPORT There were at the time the books were turned over to me by my predecessor- First Class members 471 " " Since received (four of whom paid entrance fees to my predecessor) 21 " " Since received by inheritance from original members. 2 A total of 494 Died during the year 13 Dropped from the rolls at his own request 1 14 Leaving total First Class members to date 480 or 88 per cent, of the membership. Fii'st Class. Second Class Members, October 19. 1901 66 " " " since elected 6 A total for the year 72 Died during the year 2 Advanced to First Class by inheritance 2 4 Leaving total Second Class members to date (>8 And a total membership of 548 12 per cent, of which is Second Class. Of the total membership, there were — From those who served in the Army 422 From those who served in the Navy 56 — 478 (Two of the 480 having been advanced from Second Class.) or 90 per cent, of the Armj^ and 10 per cent, of the Navy. Up to October 31, 1897, the date of the circular issued hy the War Department of Medals of Honor conferred by the Secretary of War, there had been awarded Army Medals of Honor 2378. Of these there were issued to the 27th Maine Infantry. 864, and to the President l^in- coln Funeral Escort, 30. Total 894. Leaving as the actual number isi- 8 sued in accordance with the law, 14S4. This is (53 per cent, of the entire issue to dates given. In all mentions of the number of medals issued I shall therefore confine myself to the latter number— 1484. The awards of Medals of Honor by the Secretary of War to October 31, 1897, were as follows: For Distinguished Gallantry in the Army, Record to October 31, . . ,-,,,, 1897 Number of MeJals For the Action in which Aledal was won. in each action. At sundry times and places 140 Vicksburg, Miss. . . (Xuml)er of men engaged, 50,008. One medal to every 481 men.) Petersburg, V'a (Approximately 100.000 men engaged. One medal to 1333 men.) Sailor's Creek, \a (Number of men engaged, 24,000. One medal to every 400.) Gettysburg, Ta (Number of men engaged, S2,(J'. anxious to have their frontiers Avell protected, sent all the Dutch and all the Irish into the interior, where they b(>canio citizens of that great country. The first of the regiments that wont to Boston, in those Revolutionary days, Avas one of those Dutch regiments raised up in the interior of Pennsyl- vania. More than that, I listened with much interest, the other day, to a declaration made by an ex-Confederate officer. General John E. Rol- ler. He was making a speech at the dedication of a monument, in Lan- caster county, over the remains of a number of Revolutionary soldiers that had 1)een gathered at Brandywine and taken up there to be buried. He made the novel statement that ninety per cent, of the members of the celebrated Stonewall Brigade, of the Civil War, were descendants of Pennsylvania Germans. He had taken an account of the names of the men.' There was a Ramseur. a Landry, a Kemper, a Fahrney and a number more of familiar names. It was settled by Germans, who were migratory.- They gradually filled up the valleys to the southward, the Shenandoah and Luray Valleys. General Roller described to his audi- ence the names of the great mass of the men who fought in the Stone- wall Brigade, showing they were synonyms of the names of families in the section settled by the Pennsylvania Germans. It follows, there- fore, that we not only furnished troops for this side of the line, but our ancestors seem to have furnished troops for the other side of the line. Coming back to-night to the situation as we find it. we see a nation unparalleled in the histoiy of the world: a nation made great and pow- erful by the men whom you represent in this assemblage; a nation to which the old world is looking with surprise and wonder; a nation that sent down into South Africa all the meat and nearly all the flour and necessaries that were needed to enable Great Britain to crush out those poor devils who were fighting with their backs to their firesides in that far-away country: a nation that, under God's providence, is destined to solve many of the great problems that are agitating the world to-day, and among these problems none seem to me to be of greater significance than that of the right of individual ownership and control of property in this land of ours. So that when you come to Pennsylvania with her resources, her wealth, her magnificent men and her unequaled women, you come to a Commonwealth that is properly termed the capstone, the keystone, of the arch of this nation— a nation that is now united as it never would have been had it not been for the providential work that was done by the men of the valiant armies in the old days, when we were boys to- gether — a nation for which we can all ask God's blessing. (Applause.) Song— "Pennsylvania.' THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA. Liberty's God-mother and Liberty's Defense. Response by Hon. Saml. H. Ashbridge, Mayor of Philadelphia (Mayor Ashbridge was heartily cheered and his remarks generously applauded. lie said:; Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen:— In the years that are gone many men of honor and distinction have visited our city and many ladies of celebrity have favored us with their presence, but this is the first time in the' history of this club house when women have been permitted to dine after nightfall. It is appropriate and commendable that the women of your early lives and your present lives should meet Avith you here to-night, and dine with you, the members of this Legion, your guests and friends. The city of Philadelphia was founded by William Penn upon prin- ciples that have lived from his day until the present. Its people are of Quaker origin, are modest and plain in demeanor and of sober and cor- rect habits. We remember with pride that, in the days when you men were fighting for the nation and the preservation of its honor and flag. it was the industries of this city that wove the blankets and helped to make the suits of blue for your use. It was the Sanitary Commission, 22 \ an organization largely begotten through the instrumentalitj' of woman- kind, that raised half a million dollars and sent it to the hospitals in the South land to heal the wounds, relieve the sufferings and cure the dis- seases of the soldiers of the Republic. We are not unmindful of the fact that, as they came from the East and were passing through tliis city in thousands, they received not only from the hands of men, but from thousands of women food and sustenance in the Cooper Shop Refresh- ment Saloon; all alike bidding them God-spe«d on their way to scenes of battle and of strife. Aye, it was the women of this city who, in the hospitals of our city, were administering to the wounded, the afflicted and the diseased, bringing them back to life and helping to restore the country's defenders from the East and the West to fathers, to mothers, to wives and to daughters. These women to-day are respected and hon- ored for what they did for the soldiers of the Republic in the early '60's. Let me say a word for our city proper— a great manufacturing town, as General Gobin has described, with its blazing furnaces and forges of steel employing countless thousands of people. Here the great textile industries, eiiiploying tens of thousands of operatives, are surrounded by the happy homes of their employes. Here the man who labors for his livelihood frc))n day to day has a home and a habitation for himself, just as the man of wealth has. where his children are reared in the do- mestic Iramiuillity and elevating influences of a contented household. Here riches are aci-umulated Ijy our magnificent financial institutions. In this city the honor and credit of the National (Government were pledged and millions of revenue were raised for its support. The bonds upon the sale of which the Government depended for the purchase of muni- tions of war and the payment of soldiers in the field were sold here by Jay Cooke, and the proceeds furnished to the Government for the prose- cution of the war for the l^nion. Why tlien should we not be proud of our past and of the evidences of prosperity which we see around and about us, in the great agrega- tlons of wealth, in the busy hives of industry and in the magnificent in- stitutions of learning which adorn our city. In addition to our colleges and private schools of education, we have our public schools, the cur- riculum of which is almost equal to that of our most advanced colleges, where the poorest child can have an opportunity of gaining a splendid education in the development of his American genius and in fitting him- self for an exalted position in life. The people of our city are modest indeed in their pretensions, and so is your Legion, for in it you recognize comradeship and the valor of the soldier rather than exalted position or rank. Each man of you is the eiiual of his fellow: there are no lines of demarcation though one member wears the stars of a general and another wears the chevron of a sergeant or a corporal. All men are equal in your organization, and before the American public all your comrades are alike in rank and sta- tion. You observe this great democratic principle, which has been the hall-mark of the American public and which has helped to make this great nation of ours expand and grow until it is the envy of the civilized world. And we, as I'hiladelphians, maintain and try to perpetuate that principle. Men here are not measured by who their forefathers were or what titles of honor and distinction have been con- ferri-d upon them. Women here are not measured by what blood and ancestry may be theirs or by their descent from a scion of royalty or a distinguished family abroad, but the women of this town, thank God, are measured for their virtue, their womanhood and their other noble qualities. We have the dearest of mothers, the best of wives, the sweetest and most loving of daughters. W'e are proud of them as we are of our sons. And we are proud to-night of the men who shouldered the musket, went to the front and protected and preserved not only this city, but this nation of ours. From the I'anks of Philadelphia's sons went the beardless youths who stood upon the hills beyond the city, 23 helping to guard and protect this municipality until yoa, the veterans of the South-fand, came up on your weary marches and at Gettysburg placed the seal of heroism and valor upon the brow of the volunteer American soldier. We are honored indeed to have you here in our midst, brief as has been your stay v^ith us, only from yesterday eve until to-morrow morn, yet our people, our newspapers, our homes and our hearts have given you a gladsome and a tender welcome; and when you go hence, back to your homes, whether they be upon the mountain peaks of the East or beyond the great divide of the West, let it be with the assurance that of all the places in which you have met in the past years, none have given you a more generous welcome or entertained for you more sincere and lasting sentiments of regard and admiration than the city of Phila- delphia. We like to have associations of every kind— religious, fraternal, comy- mercial and manufacturing— to assemble in this city, the Mecca of patriots in the days that tried men's hearts and souls; here where the independence of our Republic was written and proclaimed; here where the sweet tones of the Liberty Bell were first heard, tones which re- verberated throughout this great land of ours; here where every school- boy and school girl is taught that those hallowed but now silent tones proclaimed the birth of our nation. Our city possesses many such his- toric relics suggestive of patriotic memories. In contrast with the mon- archies of Europe, where kingdoms and empires are based upon the tra- ditions of a king or an emperor or of some dynasty of the past, we en- joy a glorious heritage of liberty and independence, in the full fruition of man's individual capacity for self government. Why then should we not be proud of Philadelphia— not alone those who were born here, but those who have come among us and grown up in our midst? We have here no distinctions of class or heredity, for we care not where the man was born or what creed or religious faith he may profess; it is the man himself that counts with us, not titles or distinctions or any consideration of whence he came. Let me again tender to you our tribute of admiration, for it cannot be too oft repeated, and assure you of the honor and respect we enter- tain for the soldiers of our nation, for the men who have bled, the men who have died, the men who have suffered, the men who have given all except their God, even parents, wife and children, for— what? To save this Republic, to keep its Stars and Stripes forever in the firmament of the heavens; to give liberty and equality to all mankind; to give op- portunity to American youth for elevation; to better the condition of all humankind; to strike the shackles of slavei-y from off the limbs of the men in the Southern fields; to aid in making a Christian people. Why then should we not, as Philadelphians, thank you from our hearts while you are here in our midst? God bless the soldier of America, who pre- served and protected the flag and gave us a country to love and honor. (Applause.) Song— "Rally Round the flag." THE UNITED STATES ARMY. In Time of War the Nation's Defence; in Time of Peace the Nation's Security. Response by General O. O. Howard. (General Howard, upon being presented by the toastmaster as "Gen- eral O. Howard," good naturedly explained that his initials were "O. O." The applause which greeted the distinguished soldier was renewed from time to time during his remarks. He said:) The reason for the two O's, Mr. Chairman, although I don't claim any credit for it, is that my ancestors were English and Scotch, not 24 Irish. One O would have been right perhaps if I belonged to Ireland, though they say one ancestor of mine did belong there. Now, Mr. Chairman, I think that the fact that I have been sitting right opposite to a portrait of General Scott, the embodiment of the army, has had something to do in giving me an inspii'ation for what I may say, though I want my speech to be a very short one. I remem- ber that, just after graduating from the Military Academy, I chanced to be on a steamer on which General Scott was also a passenger. He was so dignified that I never got anywhere near him without trembling, and I hardly supposed he would condescend to speak to a brevet second lieutenant, which I then was. But he did. I had been engaged to be married about eight years— excuse me— and I was waiting for the time to come when there could be a wedding. But wliat the general said to mo was that a lieutenant liad no right to get married. - My heart rebelled against that declaration, and I did get married- yes, I have five sons, two daughters and twelve grandchildren. (Merriment.) But the loyalty of General Scott afterwards won upon me. and when, at the beginning of the war. he stretched out one of his hands and closing It tightly said: 'Tliat is the way to crush the rebellion," my heart went out toward him. The regular army! It was a small one. We had a great deal of drilling at West Point and a special preparation for a command. Every officer there (and you sent so many from Pennsylvania like General Reynolds) learned how to command and handle men. Reflections have occasionally been made upon our West Point people, in the interest of the volunteers, but to my mind. Mr. Chairman, there is no division. The army of the United States does not consist alone of the little nu- cleus of regulars, but it embracee what we used to call "the militia," and what is now called "the National Guard." I like that name, and I think every man in Pennsylvania who belongs to the National Guard is proud of its name. It seems to lift a man up when he uses that title. I have watched the troops from your State again and again, as they marched in Washington, in New York city and elsewhere, and I have always been proud of them. (General Howard here congratulated the company upon the presence of the ladies, who. he said, shared their husbands' sorrows and should share their blessings. He also complimented the speakers who had preceded him for their eloquence. He said he would like to follow the practice in a Methodist Church, which he at one time attended down South, where the people all over the house cried "Amen, amen." That was what he wanted to say now in response to the speeches he had heard. He continued:) People sometimes think there is danger in the army of the United States. There is none. I have been fifty-two years in the army. All of us are taught in the beginning to put the civil above the military power. The first object lesson in that direction was given here in Philadelphia, when our ancestors refused to legislate in the presence of armed men and compelled the removal of the army because they did not want the idea to go out that civil rights were subservient to military authority. The army of the United States is growing rapidly. I liked General Alger when he was Secretary of War. and I am glad Michigan has had the good sense to vindicate him. I have heard it said, too, by a man who knew what he was saying that there might be a better Sec- retary of War than Mr. Root, but he had never known a better one. I have seen some little attacks upon him, but. as you know, when snakes are around and begin to hiss we may infer tliat there is something in their way. Secretary Root is doing what he can to perfect the army organization, and is "doing his work conscientiously. We will always find pessimists around. Some people deliberately become such in or- der to be popular. Now, I am an old man. and I never did like pessi- mism. I like sanguine men, men who stand up for the old flag; a man 25 like General Sickles, although he did belong to that old party up there in New York that don't always do what some of us want it to do. General Sickles stepped to the front and offered his services to Abra- ham Lincoln like a man. A'olunteers? Why, we were all volunteers. Grant was out of the army and came back into it as a volunteer. Sherman came back into it as a volunteer. Because there was a little hesitation on the part of some narrow fellows at Washington, who would not let McCook and some others go out and get a commission, I threw up my com- mission and offered my services as a volunteer, and I came with a thousand men from Maine. Now, we want to perfect the army of the United States. Up In Vermont, where I live now, we have an institution of learning, de* voted to military science, which is second only to West Point. I allude to the Norwich University. I believe that every State should have a good institution for military purposes and that the benefit to the whole army, including the National Guard, that would result therefrom would be incalculable. The time has not come when you can afford to neg- lect or weaken your army or navy. On the contrary, we are out now before the whole world, and we need an army and navy to support the men who are on the front line of progress and reform. Do not be afraid of your army, but keep it under good control, well disciplined, well organized and well equipped. See to it in every State that men are educated to be officers. Students of law are educated for the bar, and education is required for every profession. So. too. it is necessary for a soldier to have proper training and instruction to fit him to com- mand any number of men. I would not have the army a very large one. I would not have it to be imperious in any way, but I want it to be the grandest service this government commands, and to be its most faithful servant, without reproach and without fear. Song— "Tenting on the Old Camp Ground." THE UNITED STATES NAVY. With Pride the Nation Hails Her Glorious Deeds. Response by Rear-Admiral Geo. W. Melville, Engineer-in-Chief U. S. N. (Admiral Melville, after a hearty greeting, spoke amid frequent demonstrations of appreciation, as follows:) Mr. Chairman. Ladies and Gentlemen: — It is needless for me to state how delighted I am to be here this evening, to join in the goodly endeavor of the citizens of Philadelphia and the members of the Le- gion to do honor to those veterans of '61-'65. who grandly bore the brunt of the battle, and who did more than their duty by the Nation. They already wear upon their breasts the recognition from a grateful country for their valor, but their friends and comrades gath- ered here to-night seek personally to express a heartfelt appreciation of the heroic part they took in the saving of the Nation, upon which the foundation of her progress and prosperity rests. We, of the Navy, who have striven to defend the right and main- tain the prestige of the Nation on the seas, warmly welcome the op- portunity to pay tribute to those who carried the flag to victory on the fields, for the army and navy are brothers in arms, whose proud heri- tage it is to preserve the honor of their country! Need I tell you how our army and navy did their duty in the past — back to back, shoulder to shoulder— during the War of the Rebellion, at Vicksburg. at Port Hudson, at Pittsburg Landing; how they both have fought the good fight and kept the hero's faith? Yea, a hundred times, knowing no fail- ure, as in the past! So, too. down to the present day. from the landing of a handful of our ancient and honorable Marine Coi-ps at Guantanamo Bay up to the time of the surrender of Santiago, we were never found wanting. 26 'I'lie (ItM'ds ol' our i!;iv:!l heroes luive always stirred the hearts of the people. TlH'ir victories on the sea have hevu handed down from father to son, and are eheiMshed as a proof of national greatness. From the days of John Paul Jones clear down to those of (ieor^e Dewey, the ni.'ifiiiiticent achievements of the navy have covered it with slory and served as an insjMration for treni'rations to como. No higher praise can b(> .yiv( n our new navy than to point to the Oregon— a ship whose unrivalled record added another brilliant page to our history. The (tregon has taken a riglitful place in the hearts of the people, beside the pood shij) Constitution. Each of tliese vessels, in her day. has piven proof to the world of American resoiu'oe and genius, of Ameri- can pluck and (>nergy. The growth of navies in (he i)r(>ceding century saw far-roaclilng changes. It saw the disapi)earance of lofty s]»ars. of "pregnant sail" and old-time sailormen. and the api)earance in their stead of a mass of romj)lex machinery and a host of mechanical craftsmen. Tlie tar-pot is a thing of the "past, and the gr(>ase-i)ot and the oil-can have taken Its place. The naval officer of modern times must not only i)ossess that im- tlinching valor wliich in the days of tlie old navy won respect for our .Xation and its flag, but he nnist be versed in many arts and sciences of which his gallant iiredecessor was necessarily ignorant. The people's eyes are now hopefully turned toward our coming navy, upon whose strength and etHciency the Nation will depend so largely to discharge the grave duties and meet the great responsiliili- tics inciunbent UT>on it as a world powi-r. The head and front of the Xation are making for a great navy, and this movement is being brought about and carri<'d onward by the mass of the people through their representatives in the (Congress. The latest appropriations have been exc(>edingly liberal, and every prospect is for a strong navy. We are going to hammer it out. All liands. both inside and outside of the service, will help to rear and maintain it. to launch it and keep it afloat. 'inhere shoidd be no fear that we shall have too large a navy— rather that we shall have too small a one— for there is no clearer doctrine of history than that which connects the peace and prosperity of a Nation with the strength and erticiency of its armed force afloat. Of neces- sity Nations, like men. must be either wolves or sheep; and the Nation th:it makes itself a sheep must expect to be eaten. The greatest conso- lation that our bett(>r and higher natures may feel, when longing for universal ])eaci' among nations, rests in the fact that the loftiest voca- tions of ])eaee can only hv quietly pursued l)y the assurance of signal victories in possible war. by the assui'ance of a permanent state of powerful jirejia redness for actual conflict. We will not rear a huge navy with the idea of possessing a con- C(mtrated military foi'ce. to con(iU(>r by miglit. but to have one which Avill ever guide and direct, as well as secure, the right to have a navy not oidy suflicient for defenc(> and pi-otection. but one that shall lie fully able to" sustain tlie country's honor— a navy that will, by its power and efficiency, tend to enforc(> iieace and promote the liappy condition of the world. "Let us :>lwaVs bear it in mind, Avlien we see the flag floating proudly over our spliiidid battleships, that that flag is not the symbol of military des])otism. luil the emblem of justice, freedom and broth- erly love I Song— "Columbia, the (icm of the Ocean." TIIH Mi:i>AL OF HONOR I.F<;iON. "NMiOsi" C.\ies1s We Thrice Welcome. Response by General Wm. C. Heermance fJeneral llecniiancc briefly explained that he had been called upon nt the last nidni. nl lo act as ;t substitute for an absent member. He cordially welcomed the guests in the name of the Legion. He inci- dentally remarked that, wliile the members of tlie Legion had been spe- cially honored by receiving the medal, other soldiers who had per- formed deeds of valor liad not been accorded any recognition of tiieir services. ^Nlany of tlie privates in the Union ranks, whose names v/ere not mentioned on tlie present occasion, had contributed materially to the successful close of the war. Song— "Glory, Glory, Hallelujah."' THE AMERICAN VOLUNTEER. The Nation's Hulwark in Time of War; the Nation's Conservator iu Time of Peace. Response by General Daniel E. Sickles (General Sickles was enthusiastically greeted. His remarks, begin- ning in a humorous vein, were interspersed with frequent outbursts of merriment and applause. He said:) Mr. Commander. Comrades, Ladies and Gentlemen:— I must im- prove this opportunity, tlie first I have had, to tliank you. my com- rades, for the honor you have done me to-day in designating me as your chief for the coming year. H may be for me rather a severe test to succeed your present Commander, whose administration of his office during the past year has elicited such universal praise from the whole Legion, but I shall do the liest I can to foUoAV worthily in his foot- steps. It is indeed a distinction of whicli any soldier may be proud to be chosen as the chief of this body of men, foremost, as you are, among the distinguished soldiers of tlie country, designated by your govern- ment, as you have been, as the bravest of the brave. And when it is rememliered that you number only. a few hundred and that you have been selected from an army that numbered millions you may well re- joice in the honors you enjoy. Military history may be searched in vain for parallels to your or- ganization. The Act of Congress which authorized the President to grant these tokens i-estricted his selection of recipients within lines more severely drawn than in any other military or naval order, and therefore it is tliat whenever you present yourselves in any part of our own country or abroad, where the signiticance and meaning of your emblem is known, you are sure to enjoy unusual recognition. But I must be measured in your praise because you iiave already to-night received adulation enough to turn the heads of even older and wiser men than you are. You have shared to-night with Pennsylvania and Philadelphia in all that exhaustive vocabulary of praise which only Pennsylvanians and Philadelpliians are familiar with. H the speech of my friend Gobin could be translated into all the languages of Europe and published broadcast, I am sure there would not be a vacant spot on the soil of I'ennsylvania for additional immigrants. According to General Gobin, Pennsylvania is the long lost Eden of the world; every- thing liere is precisely as the Maker of the Universe intended it should be. Since you stand on a level with Pennsylvania, nothing more re- mains to be desired. I am not at all disposed to question tliese panegyrics, but even Gobin left out one or two things he might have said in praise of Penn- sylvania. For example, he did not mention that so perfect is the con- dition of things in this Commonwealth that the great bulk of its citi- zens are almost entirely relieved from any supervision over their pub- lic affairs. The administration of the government of Pennsylvania has reduced itself to a few gentlemen, who save the people all trouble in its regulation. General Gobin (aside) — You do pretty well in New York, General. General Sickles— Yes; we are such near neighbors that it is ditticult to resist your example. 28 ROM A PHOTOGRAPH, COPYRIGHT B> J E. PURDY, BOSTON Major GiETNeral Damiel e: , Siokues, U- S. A. wetirc C^OM M A rsj D E: F? MEDAU OF" H <3 M O H? I_ E^ G I O FM EUECTED rSIOVEM F3 EF? "7 "TM , "1 Q O 2 But I won't attempt to fill up any more of the omissions that Gen- eral Gobin loft in his flatterinjr picture of Pennsylvania. It is all that William Penn, in his sweetest dreams, ever forecast. Lony may Penn- sylvania enjoy her distinction, and as Jons; as she holds her advance in the path of excellence I hope that New York will follow her lead. I was surprised to learn from the Mayor that this is the first occa- sion on which ladies have been Avelcomed to a Union League Club re- past. That is the only defect in the picture of Pennsylvania that has been disclosed so far. In that particular the Union League Club miglit come over to New York for instruction, for ladies have been welcomed at o\u" banquets ever since I was a boy. So you see, Mr. Mayor, tliat Philadelphia has something to learn even now. Nothing could be more natural, however, than tliat this innovation should liappen to- nlght, because we have heard from good authority that "None but the brave deserve the fair." Tliey are inseparable. For myself. I am always happy to welcome ladies to any table where I am permitted to sit, for I have always observed that wherever tliey are present they impart an elevated tone, the charm of culture, to the entertainment they grace; tlieir presence is beside the surest pledge of decorum and dignity upon public occasions. Another thing I have observed to-niglit witli considerable Interest is the novelty of interlarding tlie bill of fare witli speeclies. I never saw that done before. As you may tliereby escape indigestion we can con- gratulate our hosts upon this invention. I find that our friend from Vermont (Colonel Benedict"), in his felicitous eulogy of "The Pivsldent of the United States." was sandwiched between "blue points" and " consom77ie." My friend General Gobin, in his eulogy' of P,enn- sylvania was inserted between "/?'e< de sole" and "cucumber salad:" Howard lietween "sweetbreads" and "tenderloin;" and as to myself, the flattering distinction was given to me to follow ^^ quail rn Casse- role.'^ A more varied 1)111 of fare I have never seen. I was delighted to hear General Howard give the statistics of his family. I had no idi>a they were so numerous—a dozen boys and girls and a platoon of grancU-hildren. I suppose my friend General King would exclain), "General, are the returns all in yet?" If Howard were a candidate for President he would capture the whole Irish vote, be- cause he is not only "O'Howard." but he is "O'O'Howard." I thought I could see Aery clearly when he pointed out the number of O's to which he is entitled that what I have long suspected is the truth, that Howard, before he dies, will turn up as a candidate for tlie Presidency And. if he does. I shall A-ote for him. They run very aa'cU. these Irish candidates. \Ve h;ive just elected one in Ncaa' York— a Mr. "O'Dell" — you have heard of him. All the O'Raffertys, the O'Flahertys and O'Donnells and the O'Connors voted for O'Dell. That's the way he got in. AtuI they will all vote for O'O'HoAvardI I assure you. Mi-. Commander, that I appreciate tliis oppoi'tunity you have kindly given me to say a Avord for the American volunteer. I believe it is quite the custom at public dinners to wait until the end of your speech before alluding to the toast assigned to you. I would se- lect as an illustration of the American volunteer the Army of the Poto- mac. That Avas an army of volunteers. To be sure, there aavis here and there a regular to be seen, but they were so fcAA' in number as seldom to be noticed excejit now and then in some notal)le exhibition of gall.'intry or of military skill. The Army of the Potomac possessed every characteristic tliat g'oes to make up a great and successful mili- tary organization. Its losses in battle AA-ere larger than the losses of all the armies of the T'nited States combined, from the War of Inde- pendence to the close of the Spanish War. That is a proof of its endur- ance, of Its sacrifici>s. of its patriotism and of its power. It always had for Its adversary the most formidable, the best equipped and the ;iblest led of all the armies of the Confederacy. The Army of the Pople: yet at times I am a little anxious. Just one short year ago the civilized world was shocked by the dastardly assas- sination of one of the sweetest and noblest of men, our President. A wave of indignation encircled the globe. Our own country especially was wrought up to the highest pitch of excitement. While the Pres- ident lay on his death-bed, the wanton assault was denounced at Cleve- land, the Grand Army then being in session. A monster meeting was held in the Ai-mory; more than seven thousand people were addressed by the Governor of Ohio, Senator Ilaniia, Senator Fairbanks and other distinguished speakers. I was an humble participant on behalf of the Grand Army. Chief stress was laid on the necessity for laws to wipe out anarchists and make their residence impossible here or else- where outside of prison. The great assemblage manifested in most emphatic manner llieir earnest approval of the sentiment, and the wildest excitement jiervaded that vast audience. But what has been done since then? Not a thing except to introduce into the Congress of the ITniti'd States bills that after a six months session lie sleeping in com- mittee. Why is this? It is because our rei)resentatives seem to think less of the interests of their country than of the possible effect of some legislative act which may defeat their re-election. Statesmanship ap- pears to be among the lost arts. Now. gentlemen, these are plain truths. No man should be afraid to utter them. A proper and string(>nt law ought to have been passed within a month after the assembling of Congress. It Avas presented only to be loaded down with amendments and side-tracked. Why? Because its passage might affect the success of the dominant party. .Tust a reference to those who for the past two years have been traducing our noble army in the Philippines. These slanderers call themselves anti-imperialists. I call them anti-American. Let US come now to scenes and incidents of which the echoes have not yet passed away. For five months a great industry in this State of Pennsylvania has been paralyzed, and the paralysis has affected the people of every State in the I'nion. Lawlessness and disorder have existed under the very eyes of the National Guard, and I have yet to hear of a single punishment or of more than one indictment. Now, I know and you also know the reason for this. Politics! politics! I tell you. gentlemen, that temporizing with lawlessness is an invitation to anarchy. Countenance it and the Republic is doomed. Do not say merely "That is the right talk. General King." but go and talk it your- selves. Do not stand idly liy and see these things go on under a re- publican form of government. Let us all stand up for the liberty of the individual man. and demand that he shall not be intimidated by murder, by dynamite, by boycotting, by threats, or by any other of the lawless methods that have disgraced the country in the last five months. Let me not be misunderstood. I have not a Avord to say against or- ganizations of any kind that are lawful, whether they are organizations 31 of capital or or>?aiiiz;itions of labor. 1 believe in and favor labor or- ganizations. They are essential and necessary. But when they or any other organizations transgress the law, Avhen they resort to intimida- tion and disorder, to arson, to dynamiting, to wrecking of homes, to the murder of innocent men and to cruel persecution of helpless women and children, then it is time to cry a halt. If capital transgresses, then throttle it; if trades unions defy the law, throttle them. The War of the Rebellion was the result of temporizing with a great and aggressive social evil. If we temporize with lawlessness and dis- order the vicious elements will grow so bold and strong that it will take another four years of bloody struggle to put them down. The right of the individual to enjoy his lawful privileges without dictation or hindrance was born with the Republic, and it is here to stay. And I repeat I have great faith in the people, and in the working people who complain of the tyranny of their organizations and Avill, I believe, en- force a remedy. I know there is in our people— certainly in the Ameri- can and Americanized portion of our people— an exalted sense of right and justice, of loyalty to the country and fidelity to the Constitution of the United States." and that they will enforce respect for law and maintain the principles for which we fought and for which our fore- fathers did not die in vain. God bless our Republic. (Great applause.) Song— "Marching Through Georgia." THE WOMEN, Man's comfort In sorrow, liis Inspiration to noble deeds, the Monitor of his life and the SoiU'ce of his Pleasure. The Toastmaster. -The next toast on the program is "The Women." The companion who will i-espond to it must have been reminded by the familiar air just rendered by the musicians of scenes in his own experience years ago. He was the Adjutant General of General Kilpat- rick, the cavalry commander who led the advance of Sherman's army through Georgia. There were other troops in the field besides Kilpat- rick's; Sherman's entire army was in the field, but that entire ai-my had to be constantly on the defensive for fear Kilpatrick would capture their horses for his own command. Now, would you suppose for a moment that our comrade who will respond to the sentiment "The Women''- that delicate, beautiful and chaste subject— was ever en- gaged, with his command, in surrounding the headquarters at night and crippling the efficiency of our army by coaxing away the head- quarter horses? It doesn't seem quite possible, and yet I am dealing with facts. When Kilpatrick was in the advance, Avith General Estes as Adjutant General. I know that General Geary (on whose staff I happened to be serving) always doubled his headquarters guard at night tliat he might have some horses in the morning for his march through Georgia. While I did not always relish the danger of losing my horse. I did commend, and do now commend. General Estes as one of the best, the bravest, the most heroic— aye. and the kindest hearted —of soldiers. He can deal admirably with a subject requiring as gentle treatment as that of "The Women," but in a fight he is as cour- ageous as a knight of old who knew no fear. I have the pleasure of Introducing General Estes. (When the applause which greeted his appearance had subsided, General Estes spoke, amid frequent manifestations of appreciation, as iollows:) Response by General Llewellyn G. Est6s, of Washington, D. C. Mr. Commander. Ladies and Gentlemen:— I thank you for this pleas- ant greeting, at the same time I recall De Wolf Hopper's recitation of "Casey at the Bat." You will remember that when Casey came upon the field he was greeted with enthusiastic applause; the welkin rang 32 wilb shouts from his admirers, hut when niijihty Casey struck out, ftiJence reitjnod supreme. I can see my finish. When our wuithy Conimander assigned me this toast I said, "No," but that mild-mauucred jicutleman has a very emphatic way of seeing tliat his orders are obeyed, and said. -Yes." * Then my thoujilits went back to IStil. and my (h'ar old mother down in dear New England; how. when a boy of si.Kteen I said, "Mother. I want to go into the army." and she replied. ".My son, you are all I have, but your country needs you. Go and do your duty." Eighteen montlis rolled around. Carried from the battle field severely wounded ;ind nigh unto death, after ten days' of unconscious suffering, upon opening my eyes I thought I was in heaven and an angel was hovering over me. It was tlu^ sweet face of the dear mother who, Avith, tears streaming down her cheeks, was asking Cod lo give her back her boy. Only the man who has laid his head on the bosom of a mother and poured out his sorrows and troubles knows the depth of a woman's love. Comrades, you can have more than one wife and a dozen sweethearts, but you can have only one mother. God bless the mothers of oiu- landl We have listfMicd lo-nigbt to the praises of men. of their glorious ndid achievements in peace, and now to the women of our country we are proud to do homage. Gentlemen, it if the best and worthiest toast to wliicli we can i-espond. Great as Is the debt of the world at large to women, that of the American peo- ple to its womankind is still greater. Tlie history of our women from Colonial times, with its hardships and sufferings, tlirougli tlie dark days of our struggle for independence and during the great war througli whicli we iiave passed, is a magnificent record. In prosperity and in adversity woman has borne her part liravely and well. It is paid the motliers of a p(>ople determine the calibre of its men. Show me the man in the forefi'ont of battle, where valiant men are found. an<3 I will sliow you a mother of courageous mould, the higiiest type of womanhood. I.et us congratulate ourselves we were so fortunate in our motlu-rs. Conu'ades, wliat more tlian all else has made our coun- try the great(>st among tlie nations of the world? It was the loyalty and purity of .\merican womanhood. Through successive generations have the splendid (jualities of our ■women b(>en handed down as a proud heritage until to-day the Ameri- can woman is the fin(>st of her sex that treads the earth. In art, liter- ature and in social life, as daughter, wife and mother, she has among tier kind no superiors and few ecjuals. Her fame has reached through- out the world, and the record of her achievements in every walk of life is becoming more brilliant with the passage of the years. Her triumphs uK^et us on every hand, and the American woman has be- come a name to conjure with. All men have unbounded admiration for a lovely woman; young men lose their hearts to her and do foolish tilings, while old men lose their heads and do likewise. We look to our women for all that is best and truest in human nature, autl we find it there. Om* pet boast of being the superior ani- mal is rapidly becoming a tradition, while we are deserving of the symi)athy of the woman who once said: "I am sorry for man just at that awkward age b(>twe(>n the ape and the angel." Not only do Ave need Avoman's sympathy, not only do we need them as guides, counselors and friends, but at almost every turn in life their l>resence is either an inspiration for our deeds or a benediction for our «lns. From them Ave take our highest ideals and culture, and to them Ave should render back manifold the fruits of the seeds they have in)i)lanted in us. It is only Avith a gravity born of deep apprecMation that I speak of their virtues or their charms; and as the beauty and the A'alue of her presence in this Avorld comes daily home to us, we ?e!- lion? Four millions and more of men gathered together under the banners of the contending forces, hundreds and thousands of graves Avere filled, there Avere unAvelcome guests at almost every home in the land, there were a nn'Uion and more of men Avho Avere crippled for life- all that for the suppression of the rebellion, all that for the liberties Ave enjoy to-day. all that for the unity of this great Republic of ours. For four" long years the whole Avorld Avatched Avith anxi(Uis and eager eyes the American citizen become the American volunteer soldier and, on more than tAA-o thousand battlefields, perfoi-m valorous deeds, do mighty .acts of individual courage, until he stands unsurpassed and unmatched 34 in all martial history. Then when the war was over and when tlie Union was saved the world saw the American volunteer soldier return to his home, lay off his uniform, hang up his musket and his sabre over the fireplace, go back to the duties of the farm and the shop and the school and the college, to the trades and professions of an Ameri- can citizen, content in the knowledge that he had done his full duty, all that a man could do for his country, and that was to offer his life for her. And around this board to-night are the men who were as true as steel in the time of the Nation's hour of travail. They are the men upon whom the nation leaned in those trying times. These men then were the boys of the land, full of hope and ambition; every road to fame and fortune, to joy and honor, was open to their feet; they had the right to contest for all the rewards of faithful citizenship and honest endeavor; but they turned their backs on all these, gave their lives to the hazard of war and for four long years stood where death was threatening and life was only a jest. And around tliis board to- night are the men to whom the people of this nation doff their caps for splendid gallantry, faitliful service and magnificent courage. And these are the men to whom she gave her medals of honor and whom she commended to all the world as her precious jewels and, as General Sickles said, "the bravest of the brave." This is a great occasion, one full of patriotism. But I want to hurry to a conclusion. Recalling what was said by my friend, General King, in regard to scenes of lawlessness and disorder, I want to say that the men of the old army have always stood for law and order and for all that is good and true in American citizenship, the citizenship that guards and protects this Republic. The people of this land know to-night that the men of the Medal of Honor Legion and all their old comrades who remain are still marching to the music of the TTnion, that the flag of their country is their guide and that their dearest de- sire is for the growth and the glory and the grandeur of this great Republic of ours; that their prayers are for her preservation, their arms ready for her defence, and that their final sacrifice, if need be, will be their lives given for her permanency and her perpetuity. And now. gentlemen, in closing, on behalf of your guests and friends, for all the citizenship of this Republic, for all people who love patriotism and admire courag(>. let me say for them all, Medal of Honor Legion, we salute you. Good night. (Applause.) Song— "Auld Lang Syne." The Toastmaster.— As the last duty I have to perform as Comman- der, I wish to thank the Medal of Honor Legion for their loyalty, for their support, for their kindness throughout the past year while I have been their Commander. I now want to turn this command over to General Sickles and to give him the assurance that he will come into command of a body of men which for patriotism, for courage and for gallantry has no equal in the history of the world. Companions, I now present to you your Commander. Give him a soldiers' and sailors' greeting— General Sickles. (The entire company instantly rose and greeted the Commander- elect with a round of hearty cheers.) General Sickles briefly expressed to the Legion his appreciation of their compliment. He said he had already acknowledged his sense of the honor conferred upon him in his selection as their chief. He added: It is honor enough for any soldier to command any body of volun- teers of the Union Army, no matter how small or how unknown; but for me. at the close of my career, near the end of my days, to be sa- luted as the chief of those who have been singled out by the nation for Its choicest honors is something that I did not look forward to. There- fore you can understand how deeply I feel what you have done for me. Again I thank you. (General applause.) ADJOURNED. 35 At the Banquet No address given to those residing in Philadelphia. Anderson, Everett W., Phoenixville, Pa. Anderson, Marion T., Washington, D. C. Archinal, Wm., and wife, Trenton, N. J. Benedict, Geo. G., Burlington, Vt. Bennett, Orson W^ and mife. Bennett, William T. Binder, Richard, and wife. Blackwood, Dr. Wm. R. D., and wife. Brosnan, John, Brooklyn, N. Y. Brush. George W.. and wife, Brooklyn, N. Y. Connor, Richard, and wife. Caldwell, Daniel, and wife. Clark, James G., and wife. Cook, John H., New York city. Cruse, Thomas, Wayne, Pa. Corson, Joseph K., and wife, Ply- mouth Meeting, Pa. Cronin, Cornelius, Brooklyn, N. Y. Delaney, John C, Harrisburg, Pa. Durney, Austin J., Centreville, Md. Davis, Charles C, Harrisburg, Pa. Drake, J. Madison, and daughter, Elizabeth, N. J. Edgerton, Nathan H. English, Edmund, and daughter Estes, General Llewellyn G., Washing- ton, D. C. Evans, John, Brooklyn, N. Y. Ewing, John C. FoUett, Job. L., New York city. Fuger, Fradk., Fort McHenry, Balto. Fassett, John B., New York. Fumess, Frank. Fleetwood, Christian A., and wife, Washington, D. C. Furman, Chester S., Bloomsburg, Pa. Gilligan, Ed. L.j wife and daughter, Oxford, Pa. Grant, Gabriel, New York. Grimes, Edw. P., New York city. Home, Samuel B., Winsted, Conn. Howard, Gen. Oliver 0., Burlington,Vt. Houghton, Chas. H., Jersey City, N. J. Howe, Wm. H., West Everett, Mass. Harrison, Chas. H., Charlestown, Mass. Hubbell, Rev. Wm. S., New York city. Hall, Rev. Francis, and wife, Platt«- burgh, N. Y. Hunterson, John C. Hopkins, Chas. F.. and wife. Boon- ton, N. J. Haring, Abram P., New York city. Heermance, Wm. L., New York city. Jamieson, Walter, Brooklyn, N. Y. King, Horatio C, and wife, Brook- lyn, N. Y. Kyle, Patrick J., and wife, Charles- town, Mass. Lawson, John H., and wife. Levy, Benj. B., and cousin, New York city. Mackie, John F. Martin, Sylvester H., and sister. Maynard, Geo. H., Waltham, Mass. Merriam, Henry C. Wayne, Pa. Mears, Geo. W., and wife, Rupert, Pa. Miller, James, and wife. Mindil, Geo. W., and wife. New York city. Mitchell, Alex. H., Harrisburg, Pa. Matthews, Wm., Brooklyn, N. Y. Morse, Charles E., New York city. Mulholland, St. Clair A., and Avife. IMcKeever, Michael, and wife. Nolan, John J., and wife. New YorK. Orth, Jacob G.. and wife. Phelps, Chas. L, Baltimore, Md. Piatt, George C, and wife. Petty, Phillip, Dagget, Pa. Postles, J. Parke, Wilmington, Del. Preston, Noble D., wife and daughter. Rafferty, Peter F., New York city. Rohm, Ferdinand, Harrisburg, Pa. Rand, Chas. F., Washington, D. C. Roche, David, Worchester, Mass. Rowe, Henry W., Boston, Mass. Scheibner, Martin E., and wife, Cam- den, N. J. Sears, Cyrus, Harpster, Ohio. Sickles, Gen. Daniel E., New York city. Sidman, George D. Stockman, Geo. H.. and wife. Scott, Alex., Washington, D. C. Scott, J. Wallace. Thorn, Walter, and wife, Brooklyn, N. Y. Toffev, John J., Jersey Citv, N. J. Truell, Edwin N., Washington, D. C. Urell, M. Emmit, Washington, D. C. Veale, Moses, and wife. Vanderslice, John M., and \nie. Wainwright, John, and wife, Wilming- ton, Del. Warfel, Henrv C, Philipsburg, Pa. Webb, James'W., Brooklyn, N. Y. Weinert, Paul H., and wife, Brigh- ton, Mass. White, J. Henry, and wife. Williams, Elwood A., and wife. Wray, Wm. J., and wife. Young, James M., Jamestown, N. Y. 36 SECOND CLASS Binder, Richard C. R., and wife. Cronin, Gerald E., Brooklyn, N. Y. Clark, Thomas G., and sister. Follett, Harry L., New York city. Frick, Wm. R., and wife. Hunterson, Anna S. Mitchell, Annie Ijce. McKeever, Elizabeth N. Nolan, Ed. J., New York. Poatles, G. Parke, Wilmington, Del- Richardson, May E. Sinnickson, Anna V. Blackwood. Thorn, Ijouise B., Brooklyn, N. Y. Veale, William M^cD., and wife. W^illiams, Chas. W., and wife. Distinguished guests at the banquet Mayor Samuel H. Ashbridge. Gen. J. P. S. Gobin, Lieut. Gov. of Pa. Admiral Geo. E. Alelville, U. S. N. Admiral Qark, U. S. N. Gen. Thomas J. Stewart. Gen. James Stewart, Jr. Col. Robert B. Beath. Gen. Louis Wagner. Mr. E. T. Stotesbury. Col. Charles A. Converse. Mr. P. S. Dooner. Mr. Joseph G. Darlington. Mr. Edward L. Graham and wife. Mr. John H. Converse. Mr. Edward IMcKeever and daughter. Shilling, Wm. H. A Mrs. Van Syckle Heberton, of N. Y. Miss Helen Brinton. Miss Grace Adams, Baltimore. Miss Mary French, New York. Mr. Henry E. Hayes, New York. Mr. Sinnickson. Mr. Richardson. Mr. H. T. Green and wife. J\rr. J. K. Mitchell and Mrs. Mitchell. Col. William M. Bunn. Mr. H. M. Morris and wife. Mr. Fred Schober. Mr. J. M. Brill. Mr. Delaney's Friend. Miss Howard. ., Wilmington, Del. 37