New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-23
THE BANQUETS or THE LOYAL LEGION
AN ORDER THAT HAS HAD GREAT LEADERS,
HOW GENERAL SHERMAN Is HoNORED.

AN ORDER THAT HAS HAD GREAT LEADERS,
HOW GENERAL SHERMAN IS HoNoRED.
At the banquet of the New-York Commandey Of
the Military Order Of the Loyal Legion at the Metro
potan Hotel on December 5 there were about
375 companions seated al the table-more than could
be comfortably accommodated az Delmonico's or any
other banquet hall in the city, in any single room
other banquet hall in the city, or in single room In
any building in the city except. perhaps the Metro
politan Opera House, 18th Regiment Armory. Madison
Square Garden. Al the business meeting held on the
night not nearly all could get inside of the room
and the question that has long time been agitaied
by those who realized the steady and large growth Of
the organization: "What we going to do for
place to meet and place 10 eat y came up. reso-
luton adopted that at the February meeting
committee should be appointed to take into consider
alton the question OF securing permanent and an in
dependent home. That Delmonico's, where the Com
mandery has had many social gatherings, should
become too limited in its accommodations for the or
ganization is TO be regretted, but more spacious
quarters are necessary. 1t is thought probable thai
tie Commandery will follow the example Of the Free
Masons and purchase site and put up building OF
It's own
The Loyal Legion is association OF men VINO
served as officers Of the Army and Navy during the
Civil War and whose honorable record and personal
character are vouched for. II is organization
which has been charged with and never sus-
pccted of political craftsmanship and fine OF go
nav be imposed for the offence OF introducing the sub
ject Of politics at any meeting Every President OF
the United States elected since the establishment OF
the order in 1865, with the exception of Grover
Cleveland who was not qualified. has beon member
0. II. Prcsident-eect Harrison is member Of IT, and
Of the unsuccessful candidates for the Presidency
| Generals Mcclellan and Hancock, members.
General Sheridan the last commander n-chief OF
the order, and Judge Gresham is senior and Senator
Hawley junior vjce-commander Of the National body,
which numbers about 6,OOO members. Generals Grant.
Hancock and Sheridan and Admiral Farragut each hold
| the Office Of comnandern-chief at the time OF his
| death. General schofeld is the commander OF the
Ney-York state body, numbering more than COO
members The objects Of the order social inter
course mutual help among its members. and the
preservation Of war history II Is self-pcrpetuatne.
the eldest son Of dead companion being eligible TO
| tale MS place
| No one graces the banquet table than Cen
eral Sherman but his tall figure his pleasant greet
| ings his companions, his merry conversation
his happy laughter, his always appropriate
remarks, were all missed at the recent
| meeting and banquet His absence made
a void thar no other comrade could fill His al
tendance The banIues has been 50 regular for The
wear that 1t IS looked upon the one thing need
full to male the monthly gatherings complete. When
the bluff soldier enters The all his old comrades
do honor to his presence By rising with cheers which
tie hear. Overlooking with good will gracefully ac-
knowledge he is courteous 10 all, making no undue
| dsci imnations; his bearing IS one OF charming
! simplicity. During the eating he entertains his
ghbors with enjoyable stories, and when the toasis
are drunk General sherman IS not permitted 10 re-
main silent He is commanded 10 speak and he obeys
but there is display Of egOti.m by him, 10 flourish
Of tTumpcis for the great things Of General sherman
lie, OF course, relates few anecdotes Of his early
Ne or some amusing experience In the field. and he
| expresses his opinions with franhness that some,
times alarms his listeners; but when he has finished
| they are ashamed Of their own misglvinGs. And
| these excellent traits made his comrades fond oil
him ard make them sad 10 think that he may be toe
| soon removed from among them. and yet few Of hi,
arc possess the mental activity and alertncss or move
| ment that he possesses. His absence on December
was due 10 his ailictiCn I'm the OF his Ellen
the sweetest Of wives he has often called her in
mill