New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-06-06
THE MEETING.

meeting OF the Army Of the Potomac to-day and the most
intense enthusiasm prevailed General Slocum president
the Society Of the Army or the Potomac presided In
prayer the Rev. A D. Mayo, of Springfield invoked con-
fusion all who disturb the peace OF the country
Mayor Emerson Wight delivered brief address OF well
come which Was responded 10 by General SlOcun.
r. II. Stoddard read poem, which was well received
and frequently interrupted by applause 1t Is entitled
The Victories Of Peace" 1t is very extensive in Its
scope, surveying the wars Of all ages, from
the first quarrel between Cain and Abel
down through the fights Of wild tribes and
the sieges OF walled cities, to the recent war
between our feOw-ctizens and then speaks OF the
memories Of that war; describing the anguish OF those
who compelled to stay at home the fields Of battle
and the intervals OF peace in which the voice OF the
State had a chance to speak
General socum spoke Of the services rendered by the
State Department during the war. mentioning Lincoln
Seward and Charles Francis Adams, each Of whose
names was cheerod the men who saved the country
from foreign complications. He then introduced hr
Beecher Americas orator. who faced the people of Eng
land TO present the cause o. the North.
The principal points MF. Beeeher5 Grafton are given
below:
The days arc near at hand when money Is 70 bear
relation 70 politics scarcely yet suspected, notwlth
standing our recent experiences OF corruption II II
were the interest OF the four vast Corporations that
certain policy should be pursued, that certain men
should be put power ~ cXeente them, tAer c0nce-
hueuce would ar to counierbaianc3 all resistance
Of railroads They are young they are hon cubs.
and it is wise TO consider while we play VITA
them rs Kittens what they VIII DO when their nali9
and teeth grown, and ther launches are strong!
While the developments Of enterprise and wealth are
giving extraordinary force 70 tue top Of society there
has already set In movement below, OF the great
Of worhngmen, which cannot at present be ea-
culated. We may DO sure Of two general rcsulis %
aHa. II S mo- tr r1 hut riat tbay viii become
disturbing force both IN the realm Of industry and OF
tommnnisrn Socialism or the Labor party or Working
M tfa Is nUf
the Continent But there it Is widespread At present
i'm America IL IL i'm the hands largely OF our emigrant
population. But It has belnd II, IA Europe, vast SYM
pathetic IL has the OF youth and the ntcn-
sty or ftnaticsm ON It's side. Ii has more IL seeks
some ends that ought to be gained. IL aims at some
wrongs that ought 10 be redressc There are changes
in society which seshness viii resist bat watch must
inevitably place. In these respects 10 has strength
It's social philosophy, II the crude theories may De dign
fed with the name, Is It's weakest point lie attempt 70
reOTgaze industry, commerce ana government not Dy
gradual unfolding, but, upon general theory involving
"a radical reconstruction, Is an a5surdy Only Tbs sue
OF insanity. There - 40 danger IN the nhGl results
But intermediary there Is great danger. Ihe move
uent Is ikcy 10 uIaW 10 ltst the lhu"ieh', Use cor
Tupt, the industrious pool the laD0rng men by WhOm
the great manufacturing 1teL.sIs OF the Worll are
Conducted, ana Who are WITHOUT Ieal esc OF capi.4
In much that involved IN this great movement 1
The Old heaven IS To- De pursed out and the new leaven
put recognize the right OF tie champions OF IL
du,tly. even the extremist TO discuss their philosophy
ana oy All the Instruments OF persuasion and con-
yiction wncn employ M resisting them. Bat gentle
happened that nation for the next score Of years rs
liable to pass through stormy tunes, aud that the law
disorder may not to riot and that the passions OF
may not destroy the peace and welfare OF society.
and constaDuy force; then IL viii fall back upon ia
volunteer sOldeTy. Bur there may again come times
when an entaged will submit to the regular Army
OF the United states when the militia would only en-,
rage It tire Indeed n soldiers are t. DC employed
at all the trained soldiers OF the Federal Army, under
regular officers are Ia every way better than militia
They Xely to be more skIui, more selfpOssessed,
more humane, more etieiont than the extcnpOrlzed
soldiers OF the state.
those who quake with dread at the mention OF
standing army uuder The influence u od preudices,
based upon European experience. staining armies IN
the lais 90 ambitious heharchs IN The mhlst OF null
ttude o. contiguous and Jealous nations are not 10 be
ypes Of American armies In tue whole history Of
our Government thefe mas never oeea DISTURBANCE, OF
threat or suspc0u Of danger nom the profession
o arms. Our eminent officers have been profound
lovers of peane Ihefc is never benh an accusation Oh
plot or plan 70 augment Their power or to usurp any
function Or Government.
since the founding OF Government challenge the
production OF single iusciuei-ilazlng military man.
rash aud erous every instance they VIII b. found
10 I've exemporizrd geuerls, made out of professional
politicians. TniH nd1Ou Is indebted 20 West Point AuE
ary Aca emy for a. noble band VI graduates as the
world produce. The standard OF honor IS nowhere
higher Respect and reverence for law and liberty Is NO.
where profound scrupulOus fidelity 10 duy Is no
where more nearly religion, and the honor OF honesty
IA nowhere 80 sisaly illustrated. What university,
what college. Vha Theological seminary can point 20 its
two thousand graduates and say There has never been
an instance Of dishonesty in the administration
OF public mOncysi And yet this noble cradle
Sandled. FanGs have Geea grGdiusiy voted for
It's bare subsistence, improvements have been
resisted What the attitude OF the United states army
today The smallest IN proportion 10 the population
and territory which II guards Of any army on the
glObel has been Ia tho He'd almost without rest Tor
twenty years. IL scattered along vast frontier, In
small companies, watching night and day Mexican
thieves, lighting sayagcs marching through t.aek-
less wastes ssYerest Winter storms, scOrened by
summer arid plains yielding up rs Canbys its Gus
ters. And AL ths WINE IL Is assaed III lIe rear ~
bounding politicians, who caro- nothing for its nonor
who would rerench numbers, diminish It's revenues
and make hard and bitter the lives OF men VINO have
served their country at pains and perls winch would
have appalled, the stOutest heart OF the sefdenytn ing
heroes OF caucus and Congress!
Gentlemen of the Army OF the Potomae--YOu repre-
but army of that great host nt delivered this
land slavery and disorder and restored peace 70 ali
borders You nave earned your hOnOrs Dy the hgn-
est services which citizen can render TO hls country
Your companions in arms, officers and prtyates, scat
tered all the continent are this day with you in
,uirit The great of the invisible heroes stOOp
down you In sympathy. Invoke upon you the bless
ngs OF your fathers Goa May His hand guide your
steps open You the gate OF life and place upon your
heads not the fading aurels OF EARTH but the Immortal
amaranth.
MR.. BEECHERS GRAFTON.
Mr.. Beeeher's address enthusiastically received
throughout, particularly those passages affirming that
the South was wrong IN war; and protesting against
the reduction OF the Army. At its close three
cheers were given. and, on call Of General
Barnum, the audience rose and repeated in
unison the words We thank you" General
Hooker was called upon and spoke OF the interest Of
soldiers In town that furnished their weapons. He
doubted there would be another such army until the
world regenerated. Generals Sckles and J. c. Rob
iusOn and Governors Hartranft, OF Pennsylvania Van
Zandt OF Rhode Island and Conner, Of Maine delivered
brief speeches. during which the names OF Governor j.
A. Andrews, General Custer and Admiral Farragut
were demOnsrayey received. Three cheers were given
for General Grant. The business session then followed
and the following officers were elected:
PreSideHf-General w. b. Franklin.
Vice Fresdehs-COlonel W. q. Veasey, Colonel Theron
T. Parsons, Colonel NJ o. Is. Lakeman, General james
A. McQuade, Colonel David j. Miles, General IL. G. Lee
General H. b. Sargent, General Ii. A. Barnum, General
Il. f. Fisher.
Corresponding Sscretarv-Colonel T. +. RodenbauGh.
Recording SecretqTy-COOnel HOrauO Q. King.
TredsttTeT--General NJ I. MacMahOn
The annual meeting Will be held ut Albany y. y.
MEETINGS OF ARMY CORPS
The Twelfth Corps OF the Army Of the Potomac to-day
organized association, with the following officers
President General George g. Green; Secretary, General