The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-05-15
ARMY or THE POTOMAC.

MIMI w IUC FStS WCSs
The Reunion ut Baitimore--General Grant
Aralr Chosen CommandeF-The Blue and
the Gray.
BALTIMORE, ND, May THE eleven
corps associations taking part in the re-
union of the Army of the Potomac, which
began here yesterday, each had separate
place of meeting and spent the morning in
organizing and electing officers. Each corps
selected Vice President of the Society OF
the Army of The Potomac, and many reso-
buttons were passed, one asking Congress
| to take speedy action in carrying out the
recommendation of the military committee
looking to the complete vindication of Gen.
eral Fitz John Porter, and another asking
that that portion of the civil service law
relating to the preferences to be given to-
| honorably discharged Union soldiers in the
distribution of Federal patronage be strictly
enforced. The business meeting Of the So
eiety was held in Ford's Grand Opera House.
The stage was set as a camp, q portrait Of
General Grant being in the center arch.
Shields bearing coats of arms were placed
around both galleries, and from the pillars
hung gonfalons inscribed with the names
of Grant, Burnside, Meade, Sherman, Sheri-
dan, Mcclellan and Hooker. Many dis
tinguished men occupied seats on the stage.
General Horatio c. King, Corresponding
Secretary,
| CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER,
and owing to the deafness of King, General
| Hunt, the senior Vice President, was CON-
PEELED to do the chairman's duty most Of
the time General King said that he had
been commissioned by General Grant to say
that he was greatly disappointed at not be-
ing able to preside over the deliberations of
the society, but his sympathy and heart
were with his old comrades. Major Cen
eral Hunt assumed the chair, with thanks
for the cordial reception given him. The
reunion of 1856, it was decided, would be
held at San Francisco. General Wander
WORT stated that the National Encamp-
ment of the Grand Army of the Republic
would probably be held there next year, and
that the California Legislature had
appropriated twenty-five thousand dol
lars for the entertainment of the
visitors, provided both organi--
cations should come at the same time.
Cheap railroad fares were promised and a
cordial welcome guaranteed. Nominations
for the officers for the ensuing year being
in order, General John c. Robinson adj
vanced on crutches. He thanked his friends
for mentioning his name for the position as
Commander of the Army of the Potomac,
but said he would under no circumstances
allow it to be used in opposition to that Of
the illustrious soldier now holding the posi-
ton, and he moved that the Secretary be
authorized to cast one ballot upon which
should be inscribed the name of General u.
S. Grant. The various corps associations,
seconded General RObnsOn's motion and it
was
CARRIED BY A STANDING VOTE,
amidst the widest enthusiasm. The other
officers were also reelected. General w.
II. BrowE, of Washington, suggested that
rs the r Z. Lee camp of Richmond, Va,
was in the immediate neighborhoOd it would
be both generous and graceful to invite
them to occupy seats on the floor of the
House and make their acquaintance. Motion
to that effect was made and seconded. when
two or three men jumped up and violently
opposed such processing. one of them say
ing that rebels no matter how repentant,
had no interests in the business of Union
soldiers, and that their presence was an in
suit which could not be endured. Nearly
| every man in the house was instantly on
| his feet trying to make himself heard, and
| for a while there was scene of confusion
| which threatened to terminate in personal
encounters. The chairman vainly en-
deavored to secure order, and threatened to
call the police. Quiet was finally restored,
and committee appointed to invite the
| ex-confederates to meet their old opponents
after the business of the meeting was dis
| posed of. A resolution from the Grand
|
ton was adopted, asking that the civil SER
vice rules referring to preference that
should be given to persons honOrably dis
charged from the army and navy in the dis
| tribution of Offices
SHOULD BE STRICTLY EEFORCED;
also one asking Congress to appropriate
sufficient funds for the erection of the
statue to Major General Joseph Hooker.
After the adjournment committee APP
pointed to invite K E. Lee Camp to seats
on the floor came in bringing with them
long string of men in gray suits. They
were greeted with great applause, and in
return filed the house with the genuine
rebel yell. Ex-Confederates were scat
tered among the blue coats and their Off
GERS invited to the stage. Colonel McGin-
mis-, OF Montana, welcomed them, and Com
mander General Cooke responded. Short
addresses were also made by Colonel
Charles Marshall, Chief of General Lees
staff, and Colonel Evans, of Richmond. A
reception was held at Ford's Opera House
last night and was brilliant success. Hun
dreds of ladies were present. On the stage
were many men distinguished i'm military
circles. In the audience was the r. Z. Lee
Camp of ex-Confederates. General King,
Secretary of the society, read the following
telegram from General Grant: Please
thank the members Of the society of the
Army of the Potomac for their partially
in selecting me for second time as their
President wish my health promised the
probability of my being at the next meet
ing. I would regard it as pro,ideLtial
should be able to attend. but accept the
honor, though without hope of performing
the duties of the Office. Wishing
all the members many happy re-
unions, l remain, etc" Mayor La
trobe welcomed the veterans in be-
half Of the veterans of the city. Vice
President Hunt returned thanks in the name
of the society. He said I'VE have a
fair, square fight and now we have fair.
square peace. i am here 10 represent Gen.
eral Grant. / have said enough and will
try and represent MIN by being quiet"
Major Dewitt G.. Sprague delivered an origi-
nal poem and General Calvin c. Pratt, of
New York, delivered the Grafton. Short
addresses were DlHde by Governor Lloyd,
of Maryland, General II. w. SlOcum, Cen
eral John =. HArtranft, General Horace
Porter and c. 4. Bowman, an ex-COnfede-
rate soIdie- The audience were strik--
ingly demouStrAtlve