The National tribune., 1883-05-24

=. ~ SiiChSst VI -sUW LRdHittohiAO1 NShSi 81
George w. West, General Charles F. Wolcott
of Boston; General Ratchelder, who is prepar-
ing the history of Gettysburg; Captain c. c.
Cole, Captain Newton Whittier, Captain j. s.
Slater, and Captain w. L. Cole
The banquet itself was admirably served, and
at intervals during the courses the Marine band
discoursed some delightful music 1t was after
ten o'clock when the cloth was removed and
President Humphreys called the assemblage to
order, and announced the first toast of the even
ing, The President" which was drunk stand
ing, the band playing Hail to the Chief"
THE ARMY.
The next toast "The Army" brought up
General Sherman, who was greeted with such
tumutuous applause that for some time he was
unable to proceed. After setting forth his
claim to membership to the society, because he
commanded brigade in the Army of the Po-
tomac at the first battle of Bull Run and be-
lieved that he had had something to do toward
producing the opportunity for the last grand
triumph at Appomattox, General Sherman
said:
believe it would be better if we could oonsoi-
date the memories of all our armies into one and
that one the Army of the Union" leaving to
antagonists to write their own history, which at
best can only be an apology. While welcoming
into our fraternity all brave and honorable men
who will unite with in the future labor OF build
ing up common country we can afford to smile
at the futile efforts of men like Davis, Toombs and
Early, who seem to think that the world is all
wrong because they had not the making of it.
He then sketched the history of the army of
the United States, and the necessity for its al
ways being in proper condition to aid in the
maintenance of peace, whenever threatened for
whatever cause. He said he had spoken to
this toast very often, and it looked as if each
generation was repeating the same follies and
same wisdom as the previous; that he took
pride IN the army; that he trusted that the
men who govern us would not commit the fatal
mistake of concluding that the soldier is
thing of the past, because SO long as man is
man, so long will force enter into the economy
of government and no government on earth
can be perfect which cannot enforce by physi-
cal power its own laws and DEGREES promptly
and thoroughly; and the army must be that
force, action, or passion. He closed by saying:
In this battle between war and peace we desire to
make OF the army q body of men worthy to be
styled the grand high sheriff of the Nation, and
for rejoice that SO many of our old comrades of
the armies OF the Union remain in the councils OF
the Nation, or mingle in assembages like this
which make up public opinion to bear testimony
to the great importance of keeping alive that
knowledge of the art of war, and OF those habits
which become essential and must be repeated when
ever army is called into existence to maintain
the honor of the country abroad, or its peace and
security at home.
1t is also matter of vital importance to republi-
can America that III our free country, where par
ties assume such seemingly angry antagonisms
there should be maintained one body at least to-
ward which men may turn with safety, always
true and loyal to the constituted authorities of the
Nation.
THE NAVY.
The "Star Spangled Banner" was then sung
by male chorus, after which Admiral G. r. 2.
Rodgers responded to the third toast "The
Navy" He said:
1t was the fortune of the navy to be near the
A rDAv of bn pia ri
amid stirring events and always gave the earnest
and fraternal support that one branch of the pro-
fesson of arms owes TO the other. But, gentlemen
that improyised feet of steamers of commerce.
ferry boats and cattle Idrogers, and every floating
thing that would carry gun, effective as it proved
in civil war; would have. ayailed little against
the well-equipped ships of a naval power. Let
US take heed, therefore, and be better prepared
when we next draw our swords, for we shall find
foes swift to strike undefended ports and coasts
heavily and without hesitation delay. So far as
/ know, we have now not one very good gun of
even moderate caliber on shore or afoat, and,
what is worse fear have not the trained arti-
and the forges to make them. We have not
one large and efficient ship of war; and our few
good sloops are not of the best type. In addition
to its immense fleet England is at this moment
building twelve great ironclads. France is build
ing sixteen, and the Italians are building two of
the largest ironclads in the world with steel
nearly nineteen inches thick. We in this rich
country, with its enormous coast, have been
standing still. Our ships and guns old and bad,
but glad to say that the personnel OF the navy
is excellent and full OF promise l have been an
| officer for fifty years and in my opinion the per-
sonnei of the navy was never so good as it is to-
day. Veterans of the Army of the Potomac offer
you the most cordial greeting of the navy. its
hearty thanks for your great example and its best
wishes for your future happiness and for your safe
return to your homes"
Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean," was then
sung, and the next toast was to have been Our
Invited Guests " to which the Attorney General
was to respond, but as he was not present, the
| toast TO The Armies of the West" was read,
| and Senator Miller. of California, responded in
brief but eloquent speech. He said:
! Mr.. PRESIDENT: My first duty is to thank you.
| sir and these gallant knights of the Potomac for
the graceful compliment oil this toast to the Armies
| of the West" Those whom you so kindly remem-
ber now, III this hour of festivty, failed in
their sympathy and good will for the Army of the
Potomac during its awful trials and dreadful con-
/ ficts and when its brilliant victories came, the
shout of triumph rose in mighty volume from every
| western camp
| the men of the West for their compatriots of the
| East, and tonight on behalf of those for whom
| am authorized to speak, desire to extend TO the
| survivors and representiveS of the grandest oi
| Americas grand armies the right hand of friend
ship and give such salutation as shall testify the
| highest sodery esteem and mpershabe love
| There were six armies III the West, whose organ
| izatons were maintained during the greater part
| of the war; but they so co-operated and were so
| concentrated with the two grand Armies of the
Cumberland and the Tennessee that it is under
these two they generally grouped as the
| - Armies of the West" The maximum strength
in the field of these armies not far from three
hundred thousand men. They formed as did the
Army of the Potomac, an lntegrant part of the
| great Army of the United states of America, an
army whose rolls bear the names of more than two
millions of men! An army whose martial tread
made tremulous the solid earth of half continent
and whose thunders in action vibrated the atmos-
phere of the world 1t carried one flag, and that
was the flag of the Union! Its deeds registered
on the tablets of the Eternal, and its fame is inn
mortall The marvel is that an army of flesh and
blood ever dared to confront it! The highest COM
plment ever paid to its enemieS-now happily
enemies no longer, but frendS-is the historic and
and the fortitude to contend against such an army
for four long years. The Armies of the West like
the Armies Of the East We're composed mostly o
volunteers men who were conscious of the Gauss
for which they volunteered to fight, and who pos.
sessed the intelligence TO forecast the effects Of
ingly went forth to serve was cause which has
| ever inspired the Hottest courage the steaCies
fortitudc and the most heroic temper-the sacreo
cause of lihertyl
These armies were declared at first by military
critics TO be mere armed mobS In the restricted
military sense perhaps they We're So but they were
just such mos the God of Battles raises up wher
he bares his mighty arm TO work some great gooc
to mankind. If mobs, they Were possessed of ths
true military instinct and in them were the hghes
military possibilities, and they bore with them TIL,
majesty of a grand purpose to fight to suffer, ant
| to die in defense of free constitutional govern
| ment and the freedom OF man. Lit was not so mucl
| to wound or to kill the enemies of their country
that these men, all uiitrained went out to battle
Their purpose to save the Union. 1t was
strange thing In war, as well as an ethical phenom
enon to see men, equipped with all the instrument
of destruction, march against their enemies with
out hate and say without the desire to kill but i
was so. 1t was the spirit of sef-sacrifice whicl