The New York herald., 1869-01-21
Evening Session.


General sBendsy, General Duryea, General Garter,
Major General Postey and others. General ,Aspm-
wall stated that owing to the sudden illness OF Mr..
Choate, who was to have been the o1ator OF the
evening, the annual address would Jt delivered by
the Rev. II. NJ. Gallaher, OF Brooklyn, who had re-
ceved only lew hours notice to deliver il, and
whom he now had the pleasure to introduce.
Rev. Mr.. Galaher. coming forward, was very
warmly received. lie commenced by congratuatng
the association on its annual gathering. Only fop
it, members and companions In arms such gather
Ing would be an inipossibiiity. He was not one OF
those who condemned the sword for by IL The uses
o man were protected. After ailuding to its Issues,
the speaker adyerted IN glowing terms to the
jocings or the people when the war had terminated.
lie believed he reioiced as much as any
euloglum on the Irish soldiers who han
so ably distinguished themselves throughout
the many severe battles In which they were en-
gagged. Not only did Irishmen crown their gallant
efforts by repeated triumphs, but they were ably
assisted by the people OF other nations. America
was not originally discovered from any lust FOR con-
quest. IL was religion and the earnest desire to
promote Christianity which actuafed the good queen
OF Spain 70 forward the search for tue great faron
country, and so it was love for the and OF their
adoption That inauenced the gallant soldiers to fight
so noby in.tae late grand struggle. The men WHO
she most moral and intelligent that ever went forth 10
contest. The merchant LEFT his counting house. the
In hne, the army composed OF the great minds
OF the country. The reverend gentlemen here plc-
the four years OF the engagement, ntsrspersing hls
remarks with witty and humorous Incidents, told IN
most engaging manner. ne asked tie aunience 70
consider the sizc OF the great territory over
which tie armie6 marched Place France over
u and It would almost be the same es
putting babys pinafore over his ovnrcont. tieuRh-
ter.) lie remembered the Yankees answer when
asked 10 define how America was bounded. III is
bounded" said he, con the west BY the rising sun.
Oh the east by our eqllinctiai possessions on the
north by the aurora bOreas and on thc south by
ne day ot Judgment" uaughterl 0f the million.
of men that fought IN the war, four hundred and
sixty thousand came from the state " New York
twice as many Us England ever had power
red to the rapidliy with which the great army
ives faised, characterlzing II AS the uprising OF
great nailon, and alluded TO the manner In which
they returned to their homes not a. the heirs OF
that Idle disposition which war usually Bcqueaths,
but all that was left returned to their former avdrs.
tons II fully demonstrated TO the world the unself
shness OF those VINO had perilled their lives for
tncir cocntry's good. Again, nothing could have
oeen more exemplary tlan the obedience ,.s Which
TO the gallant conduct Of General Mcclellan
when Withdrawn, perhaps on the very eve
When wn leaving his ,an comnsnd Boys ssiS he' aa
dressIng his men & stand * burnside & as you have
coming from man under such circuustancc3.
And Tie same might be said Of senior, H,fbtsr and
Hooker. He contended That the days Of chivalry
were AZ tsue az the siia was TO the sun Some or
the. Northern army vindictye, cruel and COW
saying tnat no cold blood was she'd, No siege Of
Limerick yas enacted; there was Deheading, nor
was any Governor Eyre sent forth to cut down wo-
men and children. Moreover, the bearers OF fags or
truce were never bound and slain. Yet MI these vile
deeds were done by the English, who jealous of the
bravery Of the Northern army, gave vent to their
spleen In calumnous statcments.> The speaker al.
vercd In eloquent terms 10 the bravery OF tarragut
aud referring 10 the motives which often impclled
armies 70 nglt more heroicay, observed that many
nations had n King whom they loved, and hIs very
appearance upon The scche OF action added vigor 20
their determination TO win or die In his behalf iut