The National tribune., 1883-02-08
HAIL TO THE CHIEF.
The Boston Banquet in Honor Of General Van
DpTyOOrt

After the adjournment of the annual En-
campmcnt Of the Department of Massachusetts,
at Boston on the Both ult. Il complimentary
banquet to Commanders Chief Van DorvoOrt
WAS given at Faneuil Hall, six hundred com
rades being present. Past Commander Patch
presided, and after the viands had been dis
patched introduced General Van Dervoort, who
was greeted with great enthusiasm. Opening
with the remark that he observed the comrades
had taken hold of the rations with the same
gustO with which they used to in olden times
he said he should remember with pleasure his
visit to Massachusetts. He thanked God the
war for the Union was fought when it was his
privilege to participate in it, even rs a private
soldier. He was thankful there was an organ
ization whose name is synonymous with patri-
otism and loyalty. He referred to the estab-
lishment Of the Soldiers Home in terms OF warm
cOmmendatiOn and spoke briefly regarding
those who are accustomed to inveigh against
the pension system, declaring he had found
that the men who are carping at the pension
list were those whose knees trcmbled and
whose bleared eyes turned toward Canada
whenever there was draft. He believed the
duty he is now engaged in is Il high and
holy one, and he rcjOlced that when he
spurned in Andersonyille the protfer to enlist
i'll the rebel army he made it possible for him
to Join an organization which no one on whom
rests the slightest faint of treason can enter.
In closing, he spoke elOQuently of the princI-
pies of the Order and invoked the comrades to
ever cherish fraternity, charity, and loyalty.
General b. f. Butler was then introduced rs
the first soldier Governor of Massachusetts.
After a graceful GlluSiOn 10 the patriotism Of
twenty years ago, he said:
With you or us there can never be any political
question. We know soldier always and Will
always be right. When one comes and says such
Il has adopted a certain creed in religion or {"
certain principle iii politics well say, We'll, lie
fought for the right to do So There l. no danger
That true soldier will get too large q pension
Serving in Congress Tor zen years. can Say never
found in those who fought against JI~ any DISPOSE
ton to object the Old soldier getting his pension
The country VIII never grow TcstlVc with the
thought that the true. honest soldier will get too
would take care of her soldiers, and n0Oiy has she
kept that promise. When you, Grand Commander,
go buck to the grent West, tell them that among
the Yankees OF Massachusetts. who live on goldfish
and beans you found the best provision for the
soldiers of any State in the Union. And n they
doubt it, send To me and I'll send you reports and
documents that will abundantiy prove the truth OF
what say.
Among the other speakers were Mayor Pal
mer, Commander. Evans, Junior Vice Com
mander-in Chief Bangs Comradc Pitmau Of
Marblehead, Adjutant- General Brown Of Oma-
ha, and Past Department Commander Jack -
Adams
A pleasant incident was the presentation to
Commander Patch of an elegant gold Past
Commanders badge from the members of the
Encampment. C0mIade George W. Mason
past commander of Post 90, OF Franklin, made
the presentation speech, to which Commander
Patch responded in his hapDieSt VEIN