Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-02-22
UN-AMERICAN ORDERS.
Whch Should 30 he Encouraged by .
Democratic People.


Democratic People.
When the Order Of Cincinnati was es-
tablIshed at The close of the Revolutionary
war, says a Washington letter to the
New York Word, there was a great out
cry made against 1t throughout the coun-
try. That society was made up strictly
OF officers who had served in the cause of
freedom. Each officer had the right to
designate one OF his sons or descendants
to succeed him in the order at his death.
The criticism sf tine time was that the
order had a tendency to establish In this
country an aristocracy; that IN all coun-
tries where RrisUocracies exist their
claims of superiority are based upon
deeds of ValOr or descent from great war
rlors. Notwithstanding the great eX-
element the formation of this society
occasioned IN the early history OF this
country, the founding OF similar order
since the last war mas attracted almost
no attention, and has nowhere provoked
any criticism. The order of the Loyal
Legion is to-day most compact and pow
erful social organization. 1t is made up
entirely OF officers who fought in tue late
war upon the Union side. 1t is essential
~ an arletOcratIc organization, because no
one Is admitted TO II who did not mold "A
commission IN the service. More than
that, his service must be OF character
which viii bear careful examination. An
applicant for admission 10 the
LOYAL Legion must submit
with il an official transcript
OF his record, accompanied by an honor
able discharge from the service. This
record is examined by special commit
tee, and unless the applicant is OF the
kind and character agreeable to the
gentlemen already members, the applica-
ton is rejected. The Loyal Legion differs
completely IRON the organization known
as the Grand Army of tue Republic. The
latter Is democratic and takes in every
one who ever served in the Union cause.
Senator Hawley. of Connecticut, is the
President of the Loyal Legion. They give
monthly dinners. The Legion here has
nearly 200 members. They generally seat
al their dinners from 100 70 $50. When
the wassail bowl OF punch is passed
around at the close of the dinner, songs of
the war are sung.
1t Is one of the decisions of every man
who has served in the army that be can
sing. Gen. Hawley, who has no more voice
than crow, leads in the singing and the
whole 100 chime in as chorus. At the
end OF good dinner, when one has been
drinking freely, the critical faculties are
blunted. l know a member OF the Lee
giOn who is an educated musician, but ne
is so euraptured by the perfectly dlaboli-
cal noise made at these LOYAL Legion dim
ners that he swears that 1t is the best
music in the world. Nobody. he says,
but an old soldier can sing war songs.
Gen. Van Fliet, late Qua termaster-
General Of the Army, Is also one Of the
principal singers. IL is one Of the sights
Of modern Washington life to see this
great ffee-lunch warrior stand up and
roar, with all the junction anG noise Of IA
real soldier, songs of the war. Gen. Van
Nliet saw most arduOus service in the
city OF New York during the war. He
was stationed there Tor The purpose o.
purchasing army supplies. he must
have had unusual 0pp0r unities for spec
uIatloD. because he came out % he war
a rIcn man. He is one OF the richest
officers in the army to-day. His fortune
Is estimated at in the DeighborhOOd Of
$6OO,G00. II he smejt gunpowder during
the war or heard the song OF a bullet
whstling its cheerful way through the
air, that fact has been we'll concealed.
His position in the Quartermaster-Gen
eraFs Department OF course did not re-
quire his presence upon any battlefield,
but since the war has been over he has
been one Of the most conspicuous figures
In all the army reunions.
The badge Of the Loyal Legion is a
small, compact red, white and blue
rosette, made in the shape Of small
round bIttOn. 1t is worn in the left lapel
of the coat. 1t is worn with the same
pride that the CheYalIers OF the Legion of
Honor sport the red ribbon in their but
ton-hOles. kesrly all Of the members
wear these rOsettes, so that you see them
wherever you 30, in business, politics or
society. The men comprising this as
sOciation are more closely allied than in
any other political organization l know
anything about. 1t has a marIed inhu-
ence upon legislation. This is not yet
generally understood. Some of the fine
lobby work Of the future may be done
through this powerful body. Being con-
fined strictly to the families of the men,
bers, it is one Of the most aristocratic of
the day.