Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-12-16
THE REUNION OF TaE ARMIES OF
THE WEST.

AesteTuay was great ddy In CnlcaRo, ana
that city was crowded with army onicers rang
ing in rank from the General in Chief down to
secor d heutenants, the occasion being the re-
union Of the armies of the West. At an early
hour in the day the different armies gathered
AT the various places named for the purpose of
transacting business connected with their orga-
niZatIons.
At the meeting of the Army of the Ohio, the
following permanent Officers of that society
We're elected: President Major General John
M. Schofield; Vice Presidents Ms lor Generals
Stoneman. Cox, Haskell, Cooper, Henderson
Ha1tsuf, Coles, Hooson of Kentucky, Stewart
OF New Jersey, Thomas of Minnesota, and
Major General Burnside; Recording Secretary
responding Secretary, Colonel ]. A. Campbell
OF the District OF Colum MIA; Treasurer, Colonel
w w Wheeler, OF Illinais.
A meeting of officers for the purpose of or-a-
nIzing Society OF the Army of Georgia,
elected the following permanent officers:
President Major General Siocum; Vice Presi-
liams, Mover, W. F. Ward, Varrett, Jackson.
Carlin, sMorgaR, Casey, and Wolcott; Cores
ponding Secretary, Capt. X. w. Brown; Re-
cordlng Secretary, Captain b. Taylor; Execu-
tive COmmittee-(ieneralsR Rcbins0n. Varnnm
and Mite hell, and Colonel l.. Jones; Treasurer,
General Whittlesey.
The Society of the Army of Tennessee held a
meeting In Crosbys Music Hall. In the ao-
sence OF the President, Gen. John H. Rawlings,
The ' ice President, Gen. GILES A. Smith took
the chsir, and committee OF seven was ap-
ensuing year. Gen. A. Huriourt, after pre-
facing with some eloquent and approprIate re-
marks, offered a resolution that a committee b.
appointed of the Army of Tennessee to attend
the inaugural ION Of Gen. Grant, and tender fit.
nng congratulations. On motion of Governor
Fletcher, OF Missouri, the discussion of Gen
Hurlburts resolution was postponed until IL
O'Clock to-day.
The Armies of the Cumberland and Georgia
held their joint meeting at McVIcxer's Theatre
Gen. Thomas presided. Rev. Gran Vile Moody
q n a al
uonal Lincoln Monument Association of the
city of Washington adopted a design for a mon.
ument prepared by Clark Mills, WHICH, when
completed, W ill be uneQ ualled as a work of ART.
that among the figures already selected from
the army. we are gratlfed to frd Generals
Grant, Sherman, Howard, and Wadsworth
and Gen. George H. Thomas's name has been
before the board OF managers, and will be
ado9ted at the ensuing meeting; aud that we
approve the enterprise, and have learned with
pleasure that an equestrian statue of General
Thomas VIII be placed by the side of the others
and pledge ourselves to Cooperate with the
board Of managers in furtherance OF the work,
The resolution vas adopted after Gen. Thomas
kan MADE snort speech, saying he had done
nothing but his duty
The Opera House was crowded in the evening
10 It's utmost capacity with soldiers OF the grand
armies and citizens. MAJOR General Thsmas
presided, and introduced Lieutenant General
Sherman, w no made the welcome address H..
said: From the city and from the country
You come together the represen tatives OF your
d
the country's call in her hour of danger ami
fought her battles, sometimes side by sise. anI
sometimes far apart, hut ALWAYS in unison
lCheers AT her bidding. you returned 10 your
MONIES as farmers and as mechanics. as artI-
sans and citizens: and, after short rest, you
have again ass sembled, as It were. upon a pin.
nacle, to look back toward that vale wherein
you struggled so long to point out to ca ch other
The spots of greatest interest, to live over AGAIN
those hours and days and months of deepest
anguish or OF JOY. / know that you have laid
aside foreveg the feeling OF animosity or of an
ger which you may have entertained, aud
that you have dropped into oblivion tn.
little jealous rivalries of the hour. You now
stand mere with hand extended in fraternal
friendship. You, who have gloried in the right
10 defend the nag OF your country on land and
sea, and who have fought for the Union OF on r
fathers, no mere self-glorfcatiOn now animates
you. but q Just pride in your own actions, ani
deep, intense love of the comrades who stood
by your side in the hour of deadly strife ami
shouted with you III the hour OF victory.
lCheers happily, my friends, you did no,
belong TO that class of our people in who's
hearts was planted from youth the pernictous
doctrines OF State over, and that the citiz.ns
should love part of the country better than
the whole. [Appiacsel You were reared A.
better school, and taught 10 revere the Con.
stiutlon OF your country, and TO love tee wise
genlai Influences under which are
sured the largest measure of security ana
happiness consistent with the safety of
the whole. You may search history in
vain for more hagrant violation OF faita
never We're people more ruthlessly mere un-
willingly dragged into a long and bloody cor
nict; never was nation so utterly unprapared,
Tor the attempt to prepare for danger was
called cowardce, and the whole civilized
world was Taught TO believe thar the broad
stripes on our flag We're TO be traiIed I'm the
Dust, the stars sink forever from view, and
that our fair fabric of Union was broken up
beyond recall. Our attempts to reason yyerp
laughed at. our ways We're derided 10 scorn
public property was seized, and a war pagun
The volunteer soldier then stepped forth into
the field, and offered his life and his seryica n
defend and maintain the Government against
all Its enemies. and swore an oath that rebellion
and anarchy should not rule this land but that
liberty, Justice. and law should be- protected 90
their rishtful throne. He has kept his word
and you now behold the good ship OF state
full-ngged. and once more on her free coursa
towards the glorious future You know th AZ
the nag Is still there. GCheers
General sherman spoke AT length. After bis
address, and after listening to speeches from
Generals :. Belknap, Graft. Cox and Cogys.
well, the audience dispersed.