National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-10-21
army or TnE TRNNE.sEE.

Tue following remarks were made by Secre-
tsry Belknap at the recent reunion Of the So |
clety Of the Army OF the Tennessee, at Toledo, |
OHIO, Id response to a toast to the army. Though
brief, they are full OF eloquencc and pathos. |
Secretary Belsuap proved himself soldier on
the HELD Of battle, and as an orator he Il less
distinguished.
Tue REMARKS which we give below appeal To
the hearts VI all, and nuN have thrilled those
who listened, aud who had been actors with him
III tile blood-stalned scenes ~ which he alluded:
GBsrLsNES OF THB SOCIETY: Il has been said
that the Army OF the Tennessee, during It's
campaigns, had fought battle on almost every
day In the year, so that II maitered not what DAY
might be selected for our gathering, It would be
the anniversary OF some occasion wneu the men
OF this army fought the fight TO which they were
called, and did their duty manfully. But what
ever deeds the day CONNIE morates-banishlngt the
resentments OF war, and forgetting the feelings
| which strife engenders-we welcome again the
| coming OF this glad reunion, when We can re-
count the pleasant scenes Of camp life; we can
recall the cherished memories OF those who near
| us fell In action, and telling OF the share we
| took IN the victories OF war, can happily dwell
IN satisfied comfort, blessed by the Victories OF
peace.
Its, indeed, good for US TO be here to hear
| the tales told aud the songs sung Of army life,
and to talk OF those who fel GU shllohs Held, 10
| Vicksburns siege, beneath the heights Of Kene-
| saw, and at Atlanta. Each year some who were
with us but short time before are missed. Our
ranks steadily grow thinner. But as our mum.
1
| friendship will be more tightly drawn, and the
bands OF brotherhood will DO stronger, though
| the memories OF those days OF toll aud strife for
the Union may grow DINNER with the lapse Of
time.
In the name Of the army thank you for Its
recognition here tonight in the sentiment pro-
posed. small though now its numbers are, and
| scattered though II IL between the borders OF
this broad land-thankless too, al times, as Its
labors may seem, yet the sentiment that actuates
the army is the same true, loyal aud patriotic
l aniFi 1a.l han
by side with the volunteer soidlery OF the cOun-
try In the same great cause. And though It's
: numbers are small, compared with the legions
| which Joined in tue march to save the mon, vet
the spirit that controls still lives, and Its troops
are sill as ready for action as they were when
: the batteries OF hinggold and Of Duncan thun-
dered in the fields OF Mexico nearly thirty years
ago.
IL has been my fortune, within a few months,
: TO have visited many military posts on the eN-
IRENE frontier, and thus TO have had under
personal observation the troops there stationed:
, aud bear my willing and cheerful testimony to
their ability, efficiency and very thorough discl.
pine; The army has always heen patriotic. II
has always done Its part towards protecting the
rights OF the weak, towards preserving the fiber.
ties OF the people, towards extending the bless
lngs Of liberty and enforcing the mandates Of
law. Taught In that school on the hanks OF the
Hudson, among scenes made memorable by the
stories Of the days when the men OF the Revolu.
ton achieved success through poverty and toll,
its leaders have been nrIn in the faith which
8 binds the people OF these States IN an unbrokeu
Union. Renowned, Indeed, must be the history
Of . body Of men which, In the commencing life
: time Of a nation, whose years have not yet mum.
. bered hundred, has given TO the highest civi,
$ place In the republic Washington, Jackson, Har
. fison, Taylor and Grant. Memories come to III
now which make Us look upon the past as on
dream. The months Of war came aud went 81
| rapidly. that now they seem rs days. They hav,
their sad as well as pleasant side. They bling :,
= US thoughts that are dear. They tell us, too, o
hopes which, Frightening under the influence O
= the nag, fell In the front OF battle. Tue memo
a ries Of the arIny's dead will always have high
, honor.
Last week, In the Congressional cemetery IL
Washington, there was u newly made gave. II
: was for one whom we all loved Years ago h,
: died, and now, those whom he loved and who
( loved him gathered quietly around to do theil
part toward moving all that vas mortal OF
hero 10 last resting pace. The President, witt
hts Cabinet. was there. and our hearts wer,
touched ~ this leader Of leaders, being hi
: chosen friend In life and honorlng him In death
with his own hands planted the cypress besid,
the grave OF John A. Rawllns.
2 Mcpherson and Rawllns and our other brav,
dead founded friendships, throughout the army
which will never cease, and their examples still
live to insure It's being true to the UuiDn, lOya
In faith, patriotic In spirit, and gallant in action