National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-11-20

nc netu NOV say WHO ana WnaJ itonefAl deOfEO
II. Thomas was. lie was with General
Thomas in the Seminole and Mexican wars,
aud IL was at the battle of Buena Vista that
Thomas commanded the artillery that did
such noble aud decisive work that day, and
won Que of the most important victories Of the
Mexican war that IL was within his own
knowledge that after the battle of Mill
Springs u friend of General Thomas urged
upon the Government that 1t should in somo
manner recognize his services on that occasion.
No attention was paid to this suggestion, aud
finally the General referred to the matter aud
said that he had no Senator, no member OF
Congress, and no politician to urge his claims,
and that whatever he obtained would come
from his army. [Applause.1 That his soldiers
were his constituents. The motive for erect
ing this monument was u double one TO per-
petuate the memory of Thomas, aud to COM
mcmorate the valor of his army. The latter
motive, was not however, ~. Intentional one
by those who had contributed tol its .erec-
ton. He closed his remarks with fitting
tribute TO tho officers and men who served
under General Thomas and contributed to and
shared in the triumphs of tho Army of the
Cumberland.
GENERAL GARFIELD,
after repeated and vociferous calls, addressed
the meeting, stating that he was member of
the Army of the Cumberland and not guest;
that the invited guests were expected to do
the speaking this evening; that invited guests
meant General Mcdowell, General Sherman
aud the President of tho United States
Iapplausel; it meant General Van Welt who
was comrado of General Thomas at the
Military Academy; 1t meant the Secretary of
War and the whole galaxy of those who had
been invited to take seats the platform.
He said, further, that it was greatly to the
credit of the Army of the Cumberland that it
had never had occasion to visit Washing
ton until their victories wore won.
Laughter.] Some of their friends, like the
Army of the Potomac, had great deal
to do with Washington, or rather that
Washington had great deal to do with
them. They of the Army of the Cumberland
were so far from politics aud politicians that
they did their fighting in their own way, and
consequently had very little quarreliug and
bad blood among them, and when General
Sherman said that with u great army in the
centre to march from the Ohio to the sea,
an army of 100000 men would be
necessary to cut the Rebellion in two and
march on to tho Gulf it was then that the
| politicians could not see the necessity of in
| creasing the Army of the Cumberland to this
magnitude. They thought this army belonged
| up in Kentucky aud had not genius enough
| to reach the Gulf; but it was by the great
| ability of General Buell., as an organizer, that
| the Army of the Cumberland passed through
| the fire of political criticism and showed that
| capabiity aud enduring soldierly pride which
has made II famous. At the time General Rose
Grams, although sometimes unfortunate, but
always true and patriotic. carried the army
of the Cumberland on to its victories. When
the removal of General Buell., and the placing
of Thomas in his place was spoken Of the latter
| refused to consent to it upon the ground that
he would not violate the law of his life that he
would never jump a grade, and lie never did.
Great applause1 He would not take COM
| 1.f 1.... IL H. lad 81
regiment, a division until lie had handled
brigade, a corps until he had handled divi-
sion, aud he would not take command
of the army until he had handled corps
in battle. He said in face Of his own
promotion, that General Buell. was doing we'll
enough, and ought not to DO removed, and he
declined to take the command from him. This
was the character of their great commander,
whose life was full of selfdenial and self.poise.
The Army of the Cumberland did not care for
political influence, characteristic of armies of
| the East, and were singularily fortunate in
| this respect. He delighted to be in Washing
ton at this time, under such favorable auspices,
and to be able to show the proprioty Of calling
out the guests present and not themselves.
He wanted some of the guests brought upon
| the platform.
PRESIDENT HAYES
was introduced to the meeting, and spoke as
follows:
MY FRIENDS OF THE ARMY or THE CUMBERLAND:
| thank your committee for the courtesy that
enables me TO be with yon tonight 10 take part
and enjoy with you this agreeable family meeting
/ do not propose to enter upon any discussion of
the events which brought about to-day's reunion.
The history Of the Army Of the Cumberland all in
tolligent Americans know by heart as they do that
| of General George II. Thomas. What nobfer mon
ument has ever been erected to any hero than the
monument alluded TO by our friends tonight?
| [Applausel It was my fortune 10 hear that great
speech, in Cleveland Ohio, delivered by my friend
General Garfield. thought at the time that 1t was
| one of the greatest speeches that had ever been
| made upon such an occasion; that memorial ad-
Aud again to-day what mighty spesch,
subject. I am therefore precluded from ' en-.
| tcring upon that subject AS my friend, General
Garfield. suggested that perhaps there was little
malice in General Mcdowell forcing him upon the
stand ! am not sure there was not little feeling
| in his heart when he turned attention to me
llaughterl yet feel somewhat like taking up the
cudjel for while when he reflects upon and abuses
Congress and politicians, and feel called upon to
from that my friends, wish to correct General
Garfield In one single matter He says you arc in
vied; my friends OF the Army Of the Cumberland
and, perhaps. may add, other frlends-to visit
the White House tomorrow night
| General Garheld-lhope am not mistaken about
| The President-No, by no manner of means;
only you have put it of too long We wished to see
you at o'clock and also another genteman,w whose
| acquaintance have not had the honor to make,
| but he Is in the city. want you TO bring him
| along While we honor General Thomas do not
let us forget to honor the artist who gave US such
| fine statue Now, in contd cnce, wish you TO say
| TO Mr.. Ward that Mrs. Hayes and myself will be
| glad to sec him Tomorrow evening att O'Clock.
GENERAL VAN vLIET
was the noxt speaker. He said that the au-
dionce should not expect speech from him as
! ha could not speak If he wished to, and that he
never spoke in the presence Of superior Off.
| GERS,
General Sherman, III give you leave"
| Laughter
General Van Viet resumng said that he
came forward with great diiiidenee that he
| and General Sherman were the only TWO class
mates of General George Ii. Thomas present !;
that he had accompanied General Thomas in
the campaign in Florida against the Seminoles
| and in the Mexican war. He then spoke of
tho triumphs achieved by General Thomas in
these wars as also the war OF the rebellion.
Secretary McCrary was the next to respond
to the calls of the audience. lie stated that
il appeared 10 him to be an occasion when the
audience desired and expected to hear from
those heroes Of the great war who were
present, but he thought it might not be map
propriate TO make few remarks upon such
an Interesting occasion, IL was tho belief of
his own State -Iowa-and he would say in
their name that both soldiers and citizens feel
| n deem interest In the proceedings of The Army