The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-12
Conventions Of the Grand Army and the
Ninth Corps in Boston.
Election Of General Burnside as Commander.
in-Chief OF the Grand Army.
A POLITICAL TRICK DEFEATED.
The Glorious "reminiscences Of
Burnside's Corps. .
BosroN. May II, 1871.

1uo udttOuW encanpmenb Ol Inc GTaEu Army VI
the Republic. which concluded its sessions In this
city to-day, may wei be styled the most important
Us well as the most interesting of anv gathering or
the kind since the war. II is well known that the
association was created at first upon the broad
principles expressed In us Notwithstanding,
charity, and loyalty-but time crept on and the
lessons Of the war became efIaced from the minds
and hearts OF those who had participated In the great
struggle against rebellion. Efforts made to give
the association
POLITICAL CHARACTER.
Politicians crept into the works by scores. and
nsidiously endeavored to further their selfish de-
signs at the expense OF their late comrades IN arms
Fortunately their game was blocked and banled in
this direction. They separated from the Grand
Army and set up an outside organization, seemingly
upon the same basis, but really To forward the
claims OF the republican party. This was called the
Boys in Blue" and the story of It's decline and fan
would form a spicy chapter in American history.
once more these self-same intriguers joined the
Grand Army Of the Republic. One by one they
worked their way along, adding here new recruit
and there regaining backsiider, until at last 1t was
thought that sufficient power could be brought TO
bear to accomplish their designs. This was
W THE CONDITION OF THE ORDER
when its Commandcr-in.Ch Chief. General Logan, ar
ray ed hlmser In measure against the admlnistra-
tion OF President Grant, BY 80 doing he incurred
the dislike OF the party In power and 1t was de-
termined to make lever OF the Grand Army, by
which General Logan was to be tipped overheard.
The movement at first conducted IN secret, was
finally boldly announced and for months the con-
vention OF to-day has talked OF in the several
posts ana departments as likely to eject settle
ment OF the vexed question Accordingly both
POLITICIANS AND THEIR OPPONENTS
focked thther IN formidable array General XII
patrick came armed with q letter from General
Horace Porter. private secretary to the President
and the sturdy veterans Of the Order willing to fight
II necessary for the preservation o their organlla-
ton, aoof from the dirty scum Of politics, banded
upon their privileges and rights. General Logan
foresaw the dscord which was imminent and wisely
withdrew from the field. This was Just what the
opposition desired and they anticipated 1t would be
an easy task elect General Peasonton, VINO Is said
to have been selected by the administration for the
position OF commander but here arose
AN UNEXPECTED OPPOSITION.
tain General Logan as their CHEF oiiicer declared
that they would not have politician at any rate
and finally succeeded IN electing General Burnside
OF tile struggle which threatened at one time to
entirely destroy the order. AS have stated IN
Governor WoOdlord seem disposed TO sit down grace
fully under their defeat, aud It may be That tho
which have i taken place. append report I the
doings OF the session, which was called To order
SoSn 4 Logan s' Presiding The rst business was
the consideration Of the report OF the Committee on
REVISION OF THE RITUAL,
and the discussion Of this occupied the entire morn
ing session. In The afternoon The encalnpnent was
called to order at half.past two O'Clock and inme
dlately proceeded TO the choice OF officers. AaJof
Ike ONCE q ehls a4 "a @oS
! the rules were suspended ana he was unanimously
elected by acclamatlon amid tumdt OF applause.
committee was appointed to wait upon the Gene,
dag at once and
hall with General burnside under their es-
s0 n This w ys wsray See sIa1s
cheer upon cheer as he advanced to tne speakers
stand and IN trief speech returned thanks for the
honor conferred upon him and the warm reception
he had received. He said he felt that the election
was the greatest honor That had been conferred upon
reunion OF the Ninth corps at the fremont House.
The other officers elected were General Louis A.
in Chief; Colonel James +. Coy California, Junior
Vice COMMANDMENTS chief, by acc anaton; Dr..
Samuel A. Green, Boston, Surgeon-in-Chiei
Tho Reunion or Dmrnside's COrps-A Banquct
nj the Ire ont Housc-speechcs by Generals
Burnside, Hartman, Fitzpatrick, WoOdfOrG,
Pleasoniou and Foster-Sh0uidcringl rutchcs
and Fighting Battles DER Again.
BOSTON, May ii, 1871.
The chief event OF carnival nature, to-day,
among the hundreds Of distinguished military visl-
tors IN Boston, has been the reunion banquet Of the
Ninth Army Corps ana Burnside Expedition Associa-
tion II was the fourth In the history OF the organ
the old veterans any OF Its predecessors and
the matter Of pleasing enjoyment to all participate
ing 1t was in the highest degree successful There
were upwards OF
TwJ HUNDRED OF THE OLD SOLDIERS
present, including very many privates and nearly
all the leading officers, who were identified with the
various campaigns Of the Ninth corps and General
Burnsae's famous expedition. The reunion and
banquet took place at the fremont House. this after
noon. In an epcurean sense the entertainment
was all that the most hearty or dainty could
deslre and the after dinner speeches which followed
were models for addresses on such festive occa.
SONS. General burnside offciated and after con-
graduating his comrades upon the pleasing aus
pieces under which they had come together, he gave
an interesting review OF the trials and hardsnips
which they had experienced together In common,
and urged that their organization should be fos-
tered aud perpetuated SO long as they were spared
the breath OF life. He cOmphmented In suc highest
manner all the officers and men who served under
him from time to time, and partcularized numerous
instances where his gallant comrades OF the Ninth
corps distinguished themselves. After the General
had finished his coneratulatory remarks he sauted
General william s. King, of Boston. for toastnas.
ter, and that gentleman submitted
THE VARIOUS SENTIMENTS,
which were subsequently responded to In regul ar
order 81 tM
The toast In honor Of the president Of the United
states" was acknowledged by General Walter Har-
rlman. formerly Governor Of New Hampshire, and
now tinted States naval agent in tins city, The
General spoke of the Chief Magistrate as man EN-
bodying all the noble qualities Of the human race,
and classed HIM as soldier, statesman and dplo-
mat such as the word had never seen.
The nervous and lmpulsive General Fitzpatrick
was brought up by the reading OF Andrew Jacksons
determined assertion that 'the Union must and
saail be preserved" His euiogy OF the uniea states
was characterized by great eouuence. ana his
words were repeatedly and loudly checfed Before
concluding he made several fearless charges u
1NGRATIrUDE AGAINST THR REPUBLICAN PARTY,
which found hearty response from his comrades.
The people, fitzpatrick said. and alnenQ them many
republicans, have proved base and ungratelu the
soldiers VINO saved the country. They made them
great promises before and during the War. but now