Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-16
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH,


ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DIsPATcH.l
PHILADELPHIA, April 15.-The twenty
fifth anniversary of the military order of the
Loyal Legion of the United States, now be-
ing celebrated by various forms, ceremonies
and entertainments during the last two
days, was begun by a meeting of the Com
mandery in Chief this morning in the hall
of the Historical Society. Not even the
South itself can equal the proportion of
Generals to the square inch that
PHILADELPHIA has at the present mo-
ment. To say "How are you, Gen.
eral?" in Chestnut street car almost
any time to-day would have been equivalent
to salute from almost every man in it.
The number of men of distinction still
vigorous and hearty looking, who took
leading part In the stirring contests of
quarter of century ago, has astonished
Philadelphians. Napoleon's field marshals,
in their best days, could not have made
more impressive appearance OF commanding
manhood and eagle-eyed visage.
SOME NOTED VETERANS.
In the hall this morning the distin-
guished members of the order began to ar
rive in rapid succession. Conspicuous
among them was eI-President Hayes, look
ing sturdy, vigorous and well-preserved man,
upon whom the finger of time touches lightly.
Also conspicuous was our own General David
McMurtrie Gregg, the gallant and intrepid
leader of the cavalry forces at the battle of
Gettysburg. He is the third commander of the
Pennsylvania Commandery, his two prede-
cessors having been General John Cadwallader
and General w. S. Hancock.
Two interesting personages were General
Pennypacker and General Henry Miles, who.
with the late General Barlow, were known
throughout army and navy circles as the three
hoy Generals of the Rebellion. A shaved,
classical visage, something like Vice President
Morton's was that of Governor Anthony, of
Kansas. Major w. A. Huxford. U. s. A.: Gen
eral B. c. Card. U. s. A., and General R. S.
Mussey, U. S. A, were among the Washington
delegation.
After the adjournment of the meeting at the
Historical Society's rooms the members Of the
Loyal Legion and their wives and dar ghters
were entertained at the Union League. A cold
lunch was served in the banquet room. In the
large assembly room the United States Marine
Band gave concert between and o'clock,
playing a number Of entertaining and delight
ful selections from the latest operas.
A great meeting presided over by ex-Presi
dent Hayes was held in the Academy of Music
tonight. Among those present were: Hon. B.
F. Tracy Secretary of the Navy: General John
M. Schofeld, Commander-in-Chief United
States army; General ]. NJ. Hoffman,. Captain
F. F. Porter, Rear Admiral John ]. Almy
hau. General John A. Ordway. Rear Admiral
John H Russell General John g. Parke.
Colonel F. c. Dawes, General G. Pennypacker,
General George S: Greene, General James A.
Beaver. General o. D. Howard, General Chas.
F. Henderson. General H. W. Slocum, General
Wager Swayne, General w. R. Marshall,
General ]. NJ. Brown. General Horace Porter,
General Joseph R. Hawley, General G. w.
Hencke, General ]. w. Bishop, General o. NJ.
Poe, General j. B. Sanboru, General NJ lies
General ]. B. Sanborn, st. Paul; Assistant Sec
Of WsT Grant, Judge Charles Rsr5
United States Navy: Major Swords, Washing
ton; General B. Secard. United States Army;
General R d. Mussey, Washingtoni General s.
P. Grier. General J. S. Fullerton. Colonel I. s.
Metcalfe, Appraiser of the Port OF st. Louis;
General John r. Moore, Colonel G. g. Nc
Cauley. General Lucius Fairchild, Ex-Governor
A. G. Curtin.
THE Ex-PREsIDENT's SPEECH.
After an overture by the Marine Band.
which came from Washington for the occa-
sion. General D. Mem. Gregg. Commander of
the Pennsylvania Commandery, delivered an
address of welcome, and then introduced ex-
President R. B. Hayes, Commander in Chief Of
the order, who spoke for half an hour on
Lessons from the Life of Lincoln" In the
course of his address Mr. Hayes said:
Nowhere can the lesson of his wonderful
life be more fifty studied, nor more fondly
cherished than in this army society which
traces its origin to that awful time when the
ending of that life was felt as a personal be-
reavement by all who fought the good fight
that was SO ennobled and SO constituted by the
death of its martyr chief. That lesson. while it
contains almost the whole future of our coun-
try. is short and simple. Our country may be
tempted to reject. or may neglect the message
of Abraham Lincoln. That message was
always % % Exhibited by him % In his lie % from M his
earliest to his latest days on earth. 1t can be
easily and amply given in single sentence.
His whole life, his very being seemed to say to
his countrymen: See to it that every son and
daughter of our Republic, so far as human
laws and human conduct avail shall have an
equal chance and fair start IN the race of
liie.' Reject or neglect this. and our Govern
ment ceases to be republican, except in
name. and that doom which the Almighty has
appointed for all shams is not. far off.
PANoRAMAs IN MUSIC.
General Hayes speech was received with
great applause. General Charles Devens of
Massachusetts,, was next introduced and spoke
at great length, reviewing the results of the
Rebellion, dwelling on its incidents and partcl-
pants, and condemning the mistake while he
lauded the bravery of the South. Next fol-
lowed a fantasia by the Marine Band descrip-
tive OF an episode in a soldiers life. introduce
ing recollections Of the war in the shape of
thing from 'revellle" to TAPS"
This was heartily enjoyed by the
veterans present. who rose to their feet and
Joined in the singing of some of the songs as
they occurred in the piece. Short addresses
were delivered by SecretaryTracy and,Generals
Schoi eld. Howard, Beaver. Porter. Slocum.
Miles. Swayne Marshall and MandeTson.
AT the meeting of the CommaDdery-in-Chief
this afternoon 1t was announced that the sixth
annual meeting of the Commandery in Chief
will be held in ST. Louis beginning October 16
next. General Swaynes resignation was dis
cussed at length, and he finally withdrew it be-
cause of the belief expressed by many that it
would be dangerous precedent to change the
constitution of the order. A resolution offered
by the Michigan delegation, looking to the
abolition of grades in the order was vored
down. At present those who did service on the
field during the war are in the first class. The
second class comprises the younger men who
gain admission to the order through the Ser
vices rendered in the army by their ancestors.
After a vote of thanks to the Pennsylvania
CommandeTy for courtesies extended, the
meeting adjourned. ,-'--. -