The National tribune., 1883-02-15
Celebrating His Sixty-third Birthday The volun-
teer Soldier.

Corkhiu, United States Attorney for the Dis
trict of Columbia. Colonel Corkhill presided
at the banquet with General Sherman at his
right and Chief Justice Waite on his left.
The other guests were as follows:
General 2. II. Sheridan, Speaker J. Warren
Keifer, Senator Joseph R. Hawley, Marshal
Clayton McMchael, Mr.. Stilson Hutchins,
General Van Vliet, Z. S. A., Chief Justice
Cartier of the District Supreme Court Senator
John Sherman, Senator John A. Logan, Justice
Macarthur, Senator William B. Allison, Mr.. II.
B. Ramsdell Mr.. Henry Wattcrson, Justice
Stanley Matthews and Justice Miller, Attorney
General Brewster and Assistant Postmaster
General Hatton. In reply to the first toast
General Sherman said:
According to family Bible, was born on
the 8th of February, 1929 consequently am in my
sixty-fourth year of life, and II survive another
year will pass from the active command of the
army OF the United States to life of comparative
ease and retirement The law for the compulsory
retirement of ai army officers at the age OF sixty
four was, in my judgment, wise and proper. / did
not ask for wish an exception IN my own case,
and ] declare that then, as now, approved the
and asked my friends not to intcrpose any
objections by reason of its effect / think |
am duly grateful that have passed through sixty
three years varied life with mind and body sound
enough to promise reasonable remainder, and am
thankful to confess that suitable and liberal pro-
vision has been made for me and those dependent
me to enable US to live out cur appointed days
in comparative ease.
General Sherman referred to the Mexican
war and to the acquisition of California. In
commenting on the wonderful development of
California and OF the far Western States, he
spoke eloquently of the service performed by
the Regular army in guarding the outposts of
civilization. OF the late war he said:
Its history is written, and all who now hear me
remember its details. will venture TO say how
ever in this connection, that friend and foe alike
share its glorie5 and fruits. No part of the
Union has experienced larger measure of profit
than the section over which we seemingly tri-
umphed. believe that nine out of ten of the SOL
diers OF the South would to-day rather be members
OF present glorious Union Mt peace with ali the
world, than citizens of southern confcderacy,
with slavery the cornerstone, and at constant
with their neighborS. have not the least desire,
here elsewhere TO boast of my share in that war,
but do feel sense of pride and satisfaction thatwe
as a people met the issues of that day like brave
men, and carried our ship through the breakers
which for time threatened shipwreck; that peace
and good order now reign supreme, and that may
lay aside the armor with which have been clothed
with honor and safety.
SENATOR LOGAN ON THE VOLUNTEER SOLDIER.
Among the other speakers was Senator Lo-
gan, who responded to the toast "The Volun-
teer Soldier" He said:
1 haze no excuse TO make for not having made
preparations for n speech, although, like many
other persons here tonight, did not come pre-
pared to make one on any subject This subject
quires no preparation for any man. In this Gov
ernment of ours ts beauty end there is beauty in it.
Is in the theory that every man is sovereign, and
liberty OF this people In other words it is their
power that moves all things in this Government
In times OF war it viii not do-and do not say it
by way of criticsm-it will not do to rely upon any
power organized or constituted otherwise than that
which rests III the majesty of the people. When
the tocsin of war sounds il is not to the little army
that you turn but to the patriotic people in all
tons of the coIntry The little army that is always
organized is but the nucleus that is to attract to it
the power of the Nation that is TO put down all that
interferes TO threaten it. The is settled and
past and hope it is settled and past forever, and
that all feeling and bitterness that grew ont OF that
war may die and pass away forever. But, sir, the
grandeSt sight that has ever been witnessed
by men witnessed at the time that the citizen
soldier was summoned to defend the Constitution of
this country The patriotism of this mighty people,
burning like mighty fire, and as the announce
ment was made from part of this country to the
other that inevitable: that the flag had
been insulted that the Constitution had been
tranpled under foot; that q mighty army nee
essary to overthrow this force-patriotism burning
until IT was as bright as the fires upon the pralres
of the West spread until from the workshops, from
the plow standing in the furrow, from the counter
from the store, the bankers counter the lawyers
Office, and from every profession and kind of man
III this country. came voice from the northern
region of this Republic, This Government shall
not die or cease, but must be preserved" lAp-
plause.l
When this army was organized, all young men,
and ipiddle-aged men, and Old men, under leaders
that have proved themselves great and will go
down into history as the great military heroes OF
this age of ours whenever and wherever the flag
Of this country was seen, held either by mechanic,
farmer professional man, it was held by man
whose patriotic impulses impelled him onward to
great and glorious deeds. Applause. 1t was the
patriotism of the man whose profession is peace,
and not whose profession is war. 1t was the con-
vietion that the liberties of the people and that the
Republican form OF Government were in danger
that fired the heart of the American people, and
impelled them to desperation and bright and glo-
rious achievements iApplause.
Sir since history hes been written, since wars
have occurred, since men have engaged in trial
and contest OF skill and strength in warfare. there
has nothing ever equaed the patriotism Of the
people of this country the manly bravery of the
I Americans that contended both on the Northern
and Southern sides. This contest was not contest
of americans against men from some efiete mon
aTcly. against classes of men who not
for the government, but merely for their own
achievement but contest of Americans against
Americans for principle-each one believing he was
right, and each one being man by instinct and by
Z blood. Applause. Sir, it was a contest in which
each and every man who partook on either side
was proud OF the principle that ne advocated and
whether 1t stood or not, might be proud OF the
manner in which ii was maintained on both sides.
So, when speaking of these men. speak of them
as Americans contcnding on American soil for that
which they believed either side to be correct.
Whenever Gen. Sherrnan's army, with the other
armies gained a victory, perhaps it was because
they had more skillful generals, or may be they
had more bone or muscle than the other side.
I Applause But. inasmuch the chairman has
alluded to the soldiers OF Sherrnan's army, desire
to say but word in reference to their conduct In
saying that do not desire to speak of anything in
reference to myself, but the band of patriots who
/ followed him from the time that he organized
his brigade, at Paducah, KY, believe it was, up
! to the time that Johnston's army surrendered at
/ Raleigh, DO Drawer men, no more noble men, no
! more patriotic devoted men, ever followed a
! great chicitan to final success. Applause.
They've ready in the storm and in the sunlight
/ they ready in darkness and in daylight;
| when orders came they marched, they moved /;
| they fought whether their guns were of the best
quality not; whether their clothing adapted
/ 10 their condition not; whether their food was
! all that they would have asked not-was not the
| question with these men. The question was,
/ Where does Sherman want us TO go, and when
must we mover" Applause.
| Sir, these men marched with him through val
| ieys, over hills and mountains across rivers and
over marshes, and the only question. asked in all
! these campaigns was, Where is the enemy"
/ Applause There were questions of numbers
/ or time. And for Gen. Sherman / will say there
/ was not q soldier who bore the American flag or
| followed it, not soldier that carried musllet or
drew d sabre, who did not respect him as his COM
! would have drawn his sword at any time to have
! preserved his life There is not one to-day, no
! matter what may be said, that would dim in the
slightest degree the lustre of that bright name,
achieved by ability, by integrity, and by true
bravery as an officer. lApPlause. And, in con.
was dsbanded, absorbed in the community
| like rain-drops III the sand, all citizens in the
twlnkling of an eye and back to their professions
and their business there is not one of these men,
scattered as they from ocean to ocean, who
! does not honor the name of the man who led them
| Wherever he may go, wherever he may be, what
may be his condition in life there is not one
who would not stretch out helping hand to that
| brave commander who led them to glory. Speak
ing for that army, if / may be permitted to speak
for il, have to say: May the choicest blessings
| that God showers upon the head of the man go
with him along down through his life. 1t is the
prayer of every soldier who served under him.