Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-09-24
LOCAL NEWS.
The Serenades Last Nisht.

sPKECBEs OF GEMS. SHERIDAN, sIckLRs AND
HANCOCK.
The serenade last evening to Gems. Sheri.
dan, Sickles and Hancock was one of the
grandest affairs ever witnessed in this city. 1t
having been announced that the Grand Army
otihe Republic, with HeaId's American Bzass
Band, would tender serenade to those of
hceFs' an immense crowd assembled in front
al willard Hotel early in the evening, and
oy Eaif-past niae O'Clock at least six thousand
persons were In front OF the building. Over
the po1tico was the word " Union In gas Jets
which illuminated the entire front, and pre-
sented beautiful appearance. The national
cofors were also displayed.
AT nine O'clock the Grand Army of the Re.
public, Posts Nos. ar 2. with the Soldiers
and Sailors Union, assembled at their hall,
on 9th street, and preceded by Heald's Band
marched 10 Wizards. The colored Soldiers
and Sailors Union also joined in the process.
sion, and were preceded by martial music
On the march to Wizards q large number of
persons joined the procession, and upon their
arrival the crowd in front Of the hotel ex-
Tended across the avenue. After several
pieces OF music by the band, Gen. Sheridan
appeared on the balcony, and was greeted
with cheer alter cheer. Order being re-
stored
Col. N. p. Chapman said:
COMRADES: Nearly six years ago, at the
little village OF Roila. Missouri, then post for
United States soldiers. first met Captain
Phil. Sheridan. in tho van of that little army
which subsequently, under the command OF
HeueTol OuIuss SECURED missouri against f6D9l
occupation. Captain Sheridan was sent to
Corinth, where his qualities as a cavalry
leader became apparent. He was put IN active
service and ns. rapidly rose in rank You knew
Pacific tor gallant Phil. Sheridan. GCheers !
The sainted Lincoln, who regarded him almost
as his own son, covered him with bright mill
tary honors, and none could say he did not
deserve them. But peace had brighter honors
than these in store for him. Need tell you
why he Is mere! He came from New Orleans
hoo~ {.xn
thanks to you, General Sheridan. for your
gallant services, we extend 10 you a hearty
welcome to night
Again cheers were given for General Sheri-
dan ana the greatest enthusiasm prevailed.
Miss Emma McSperin, a little girl IL years of
age, mere stepped forward and presented the
General with a handsome boquet
General Sheridan then addressed the GRO wd
as follows:
SPEECH OF GENERAL SHERIDAN
GKNTLKMEN: I sincerely thank you for
this very earnest welcome. / shall always
recollect the occurrences of this night. The
thought will ever give me great deaf of plss-
sure and pride. l feel that you have greatly
honored me: and am especially honored. as
large portion OF this assemblage is composed
Of gallant officers and soldiers Of the army 1
return yon my thanks. ICheersl
Alter the Star Spangle Banner had been per-
formed by the band, three more cheers were
given for Gen. Sheridan, and the crowd pro-
eeeded TO the EbbHt House to serenade Gen.
Sfckles. The balcony OF the Ebbitt House as
handsomely decorated with Chinese lanterns.
and above them waved the National coiors
the 'front.' OF the balcony was also dressed with
large flag.
After music by the band, Gen. Sickles ap.
peaIed and was greeted With cheers. Col. Chip
man introduced Col. Farms " orth, Of Ill W no
said:
Soldiers and Citizens: MY first acc uaintance
with the gallant soldier who now stands before
you was IN the House of Representatives
where be was a Democrat, and l Repub.
iican. Iut he was Union man, and placed
his country before his party At all times he
vas on the she 60 Of the Union [AppIause. In
the halls Of Congress, / well remember the
rebuke General Sickles adm inis stored to the
leaders OF the secession movement when they
threatened to commence the war IN Charleston
he said that the war would end in Charleston,
with Charleston in ruins. [Cneers.l He left
congress In 1901, and at once commenced using
bis inffue ace to excite more patriotic feelings
among his constituents. When the war com
menced he raised in New York five regiments
OF troops, who subsequently proved excellent
the hottest, there was Sickles. [Cheers1 AT
Gettysburg ne met the shock OF battle, and
months afterwards he returned to Wash
ington, with his mutilated stump vet an.
healed, and rendered his services, and
Not being able to enter the % ti eis eofRS
Lincoln sent him on a special tour to the
South, to visit the military departments and
IL aughter.1 His duties completed, he was
next sent 10 South America on mission BY
Mr. Lincoln He per formed that we'll, and, in
l5U5, was sent TO Charleston 10 command that
department. From that time up to his return
to Washington he was in command OF the De.
partment OF South Carolina. He went there
man, white or black, was safe He put in
practice what has since been secured to the
black mantle reconstruction bills Slavery,
like an old cancer, was rooted in South Caro-
lima. and it bad to be cut out and every roo,
cauterized By his administration he cured
this, and made, as Governor Orr says, military
amt iotnp hv,t
secured rights to all, attended TO the material
prosperity Of the citizens of the State. secured
to the proprietors Of the soil what they could
not gain before by practical free labor lA
voice-"Order No. 1O"l Yes Order No. 10
thatsecured TO every poor man the m oney tina
would have been taken for lawyers fees for
the support of his family. The reconstructior
law has been fearlessly administered Ht
completed the registration, and leaves nothing
for his successor to do but to see that fail
election Is held according TO the number regis
General Siekles, the soldiers, sailors, and
citIzers OF Washington greet you, and TAX,
pleasure in presenting you to this assembage
Gen. Sickles then appeared at the front O
the balcony and cheer after cheer was giyer
for HIM Order being again restored, Genera
SIckles said:
ADDRESS oH GENERAL s1cKLRs.
General Farms worth, thank you and my
come. 1 am glad TO meet you all here to- nj hit
Among the interesting matters which nov
engage attention there are Sc erai topics which
may, without disadvantage to any public
interest, choose for remark to night. APP
plsusel The military governments es tablishe d
by Congress have been assailed as unconstitu
tIoEal, oppressive, and useless. Without
meaning to enter now upon q large field OF
discussion, II Is due to the country and TO his.
tory, apart from all personal considerat tons
that the Gov ernmept should be indicated
from accusations so nnfounded and so inju.
rious. IApplause.
The authority OF Congress to provide for tn .
security Of persons and property in conquered
territory until legal civil governments could
be established, 10 distinctly recognized by the
Supreme Court Of the United States. In the
New Mexico case the Supreme Court decided
that the military occupation OF the territory OF
an enemy suspended all civil government ex-
listing there, and furthermore that the orders,
ordinances, and regulations made by the mill.
pended by Congress or by local civil govern
Ia voice''You're right"l 1t may be there.
Congress has exercised no powers not sane.
toned by the highest legal tribunal in the land,
And so fsr from military authority having
been exercised oppressively or cruelty in the
rebel States. the testimony voluntarily borus
by representative meui OF those States proves
that the reconstruction acts ha We been exc ted
with moderation and forbearauce. IADpIanse
If IL be true that military commanders ba We
been Ia " givers, IL is also true tha their cod "a
have been milder and more humane than the
laws they superseded. Applause. Impris.
Cnpent for debt has been abolished: thu daat n
penalty. heretofore imposed for larceny has