The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-11

Adoption of a ACKNOWLEDGMENT Address
by Ex-President Hayes.

THE LOYAL GRO
Adoption of a ACKNOWLEDGMENT Address
by Ex-President Hayes.
CINc1NNATI, Feb. 10.-The annual meeting of
Ohio Commandery Of the military order of the
Loyal Legion to-day assumed unusual interest
from the very large attendance, and from the
fact that General Hancock's death, yesterday.
leaves Gen. r. B. Hayes senior officer of the or
der. The gay drapery of the Burnett House.
where the meeting is held, was all festooned
with black to-day, in token of mourning for
General Hancock.
At the business meeting an event Of unusual
interest occurred. General Sherman and Gen.
Lew Wallace made application for membership,
and, by suspension of the rules, were immedi-
ately elected and invested, amid the widest APP
plause of the companions. Gen. ]. ID. Cox, from
the committee, read the following memorial
tribute to General Hancock:
1.-THE death of Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock is
a personal grief to every companion Of the
Loyal Legion, for every one of us has been
proud OF him as our senior commander, and all
who have known him personally have been de-
votedly attached to him as friends But he has
been more; he has, through a whole lifetime
been the unblemished type and pattern of ali
American soldier. He entered his country's
service in boyhood as a cadet in the Military
Academy, and continued, not only faithful, but
brilliantly efficient, in the service to the day of
his death. His loyaly did not wayer in the
dark days of 1861. but he earnestly pressed into
the foreground of the struggle and so bore him
self that his name became proverbial for both
dashing leadership and manly persistent cour-
age.
"Withoutu undue ambition or personal self-seek-
Ing, he won his way to fame by splendid con-
duct in An unparalleled series of battles, the
confidence of brother officers and soldiers out
cunning his advances in rank and applauding
every step he gained in promotion. When jeal-
busies and intrigue were rife in the great army
20 which he belonged, neither his devotion to the
dag nor his Jealous subordination to his COM
mander were ever questioned.
HE lived only to do and dare greatly for his
country; he inspired his brother officers with a
pure and noble emulation in heroic deeds, and
his soldiers with an enthusiasm of courage which
doubled their power. In the supreme crisis of
the war, when Vicksburg and Gettysburg per-
manently turned the tide in favor of
the national cause, he reached the full
maturity of his course, and in the great battle in
Pennsylvania was fortunate in the bearing of
great responsibilities in such a way that victory
was, in q large measure, due to his broad mill
fary judgment and his conspicuous bravery.
Severely wounded, he made haste to resume his
duty with his troops, and from the Wilderness
to Appomattox the long series of fierce engage
menus MADE each BATTLE name a new decoration
of his soIdlerIy renown.
His last appointment in the war, to be com
mandant of the veteran corps, fully indicated
the universal judgment that there was no one
better qualified.
Whilst he had political convictions and at
tachments, from which the citizen soldier is not
excluded, he carefully avoided every act which
could be construed into improper partisanship,
and always set an honorable example of the con-
duct in this regard which best becomes those
u-A- w-An.kh 80 -sG--- a.
and a gentleman, a citizen and a soldier, he was
literally without fear and without reproach. His
name ought to be. and will be, cherished as a
national pride and treasure"
A copy was ordered sent to the family of the
deceased.
Following the business meeting a pleasant So
cial reception for Mrs. r. B. Hayes and the lady
members of the order was held.
At o'clock the dining-hall was thrown open,
and the members. to the number of nearly three
hundred, entered and took their places. General
Sherman's commanding figure was beside OK
President R. B. Hayes at the head of the table.
When supper had been enjoyed. Commander
ltayes called attention and spoke as follows:
Companions, and Ladies and Gentlemen
The third annual festival of the Ohio Com
nandery of the Loyal Legion is suddenly and
6dakI ShabkOAs IA mOObthE WAkOII wa u AdH6
been a joyous social reunion of old comrades of
the war, has become the memorial service in
honor of the beloved commander in-chief of the
military order of the Loyal Legion. In the pres
terms with General Hancock during the long
years of severe and trying duty, / shall not at,
tempt a full and adequate sketch of his life, serv-
ice and character. ! had not, in the army,
the privilege of an acquaintance with him
that was either extensive or intimate. He was
n COrn IN q rHar nutu It,riun tho oct w ruaA1re -
the active work of the war. My relations with
him from 1877 to 1881 were, however, in some
interesting matters, necessarily close and conf
dental. l cannot be mistaken as to the sub
stantlal and sterling elements of his character.
Ii, when we make up our estimate of a public
man conspicuous both as a soldier and in affairs,
we think first aud chiefly of his manhood, his in
tegrity, his purity. his singleness of purpose and
bis unselfsh devotion to duty. we can say truth
fully of Hancock that he was, through and
through, pure gold. His death is so recent, and
such a shock to US all. that I hesitate on this oc-
casiou to enter at length on the facts of his ca
reer. During many years he has been at the
head of the military order of the Loyal Legion.
His presence, his prestige, have given to
how much of its prosperity, its inter
est and its influence. His commanding
figure and features-so impressive, inspiring and
dignided, were the outward symbols Of a charac-
ter and of achievements which left nothing for
shV iV1 " " WAo 0AA " thO
model American soldier. patriot and gentleman.
The single battle which, lost or won, humanity
speaking, seemed destined to bridge the great
conflict, was Hancock's opportunity. He was
equal to the opportunity. Henceforth Hancock
and Gettysburg, Gettysburg and Hancock, are
forever linked together in adamant. The name
Of our commander will live in our annals as long
as American history is known among men.
Brave soldier. noble gentleman, beloved COM
paniop, hail and farewell.
1--WE welcome to this annual fest;vaI which tha
companions of the Ohio Commandery of the
Loyal Legion extend to their brethren of other
Communicates, and to all present who, during
the civil war. sustained the cause of the
Republic-and to their wives, their chill
aren and their friends--our welcome
10 one and all comes from minds
and hearts better satisfied and more grateful
than ever before that our lives were so ordered
that it was permitted to US to serve in the grand
army that saved America to Union and liberty,
and gave to our Republic the power to be a bless
ing to all mankind. Since our last annual meet
Inc three of our companions. known of ALI men