Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-06-16
The Army Reunions.

The annual Reunion of the Army of the
Potomac was held at Philadelphia, on We'd
nesday and Thursday. with an unusually
large attendance OF officers. The main
gathering of the veterans was in the Acade
my of Music. which immense building was
lavishly decorated and was crowded. The
stage represented military camp, and the
corps arms were displayed. Gen. Hancock
presided and and Gov. Dix delivered the
Grafton.
Gen. Dix said that the Declaration Of In
dependence and the Emancipation PrOclama-
ton were the two transcendeut tributes that
the century brings 10 the national ccnten-
NAL ovation. The latter, next to the former,
be regarded as the event of the century. He
sketched the history Of American slavery
down To the time Of Abraham Lincoln, 10
whom he paid tribute of exalted praise.
In connection with this he read the follow
ing letter written to him by Mr.. Lincoln,
fourteen days after the issuing the Emanci-
patton proclamation
EXECUTTvE MANSION, WASHINGTON. Jan. lf.lS3.
MAJOR-GES. DiN-uB Dsgr SIR The procl1ma-
ton has been Issued. We not succeeding
At best we were progressing too slowly without H.
Now that we have il. anu bear all the q sadyantage
Of IL Jas do bear some IN certain quarters. We
must also ia Ike benefit from IL, il practicable
therefore will thank you for your well considered
opinion whether FORTRESS Monroe and Yorktown,
one or both. could not in whole or in parthe CARR
soned by cOlOred troops. leaving the white forces
now necessary at those places 10 be employed else
where. Yours very truly, A. LINCOLN
Gov Dix's reply was that Yorktown
might in his opinion be garrisone1 in part
by colOred troops. The grafton closed with
an appeal for the re-establishment of the
amicable relations between North and South
that existed before the war.
William Winter read an original poem,
entitled 1.-THE Voice of the Silence de
scribipg in twenty verses a soldiers rtninis-
cences.
A speech by Gen. Sherman was loudly
called for Referring, ,toa point in Gov. Dix'S
address, he said In the West we had no
slaves, and we should not blame those poor
fellows who were born among them. If we
had been slave owners. We might have worn
the sray instead of the blue We should
forgive them. providing they are willing to
forgive" Further on he said, pointing to
stack of guns IL am anxious that perfect
peace shall reign; but if there should be
any further dissatisfaction, and remedy
should be required, there it Is This sen
timent was applauded. Gen. Sheridan, be
ing persistently called upon, said Il
endorse everything said by Generals
Sherman and Dix. | believe in char
itv, but | do not believe charity should
ali lie on one side. The minute a man says
he Is sorry he rose up against the Govern-
ment in war, then | am willing to extend
charity. but when | hear men in the South
saving they are still hostile 10 the Govern
ment, then have no charity to extend
them"
Cen Hooker was the next recipient OF
demands for a speech, and he responded
briefly. Short speeches were also made by
Gov. Hartranft, ex-Goy. Curtin, and Gens.
Sloeum, Robinson, Shaler, Macintosh,
AverIll, and Sharpe.
Later in the afternoon the Army of the
James reunion was held in the Chestnut
Street Theatre, Gen. Terry presiding, ard
Gen. Hawley delivering the address.
The various corps held separate meetings
Wednesday forenoon. The Second elected
Gen. Hancock president, and he made a
speech. The Third elected Gen. Shaler
president, enthusiastically eheered when its
old army flag was unfurled, and listened
to speech by its president. The cavalry
associations meeting was presided over by
Gen. Sheridan, who was re elected presi-
dent. lie said in his speech that he had
recently joined the infantry corps, and 50,
perhaps, ought not to be there among tie
cavalry. His hearers understood the allu-
sion to his marriage, and applluded with
immense merriment