The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-04-16
THEY SANG THE OLD WAR SONGS.
The Twenty-FIfth Anniversary OF the
Loyal Legion.
Gen. Hayes Pays Tribute to the
Martyred Lincoln.
Extract from the Eloquent Grafton
Of Cen. Devens.

AhC DuiAuAhB1 AhoiNC anu Out, Was
profusely and beautifully decorated with
| flowers, flags and growing plants. Seated
on the stage were number of distinguished
men, including Secretary Tracy. Gen. Scho-
field. Commander-in-Chief of the United
States Army Relr Admiral John j. Almy,
Rear Admiral w. Smith, Gen. A. Ordway,
Rear Admiral John II. Russell. Gen. George
S. Greene. Gen. James A. Beaver. Gen. o.
o. Howard, Gen. II. w. Slocum, Gen. Wager
Swayne, Gen. Horace Porter, Gen.
Joseph r. Hawley, Assistant Secretary of
War Grant, Surgeon General John M.
Browne, u. S. A.; Gen. Nelson A. Miles,
U. S. A.; Gen. Lucius Fairchild, and ex-
Gov. A. G. Curtin.
The building was crowded from pit to
dome by the companions of the order and in
vited guests. After an overture by the Ma
rine Band. Gen. ID. Mem. Gregg. commander
of the Pennsylvania Commandery, delivered
his address Of welcome and introduced Ex-
President Hayes. commander-iD-chief0 of the
order Gen. Hayes spoke In eul0gy of the
martyr Lincoln and recalled the events Of the
assassination, from which sprang the order
CT the Loyal Legion. He urged his hearers
to support and advance the work which Lin
coin did In behalf Of his country and all the
world. "His whole life," said the speaker,
"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
life. Reject or neglectthis and our government
ceases to be republican, except in name, and
the doom which the Almighty appointed for
all shams will not be far Off" Gen. Hayes's
pSe Gen. Charles Cha G Devens @ Of Massachasetts lass the
orator of the evening, was introduced. The
Grafton reviewed the progress OF the war
and touched upon its causes and results. In
1t, Gen. Devens said:
The Military Order Of the Loyal Legion had its
inception on that saddest day, at the conclusion
of the Civil War, when humanity throughout the
world was shocked by the death of Abraham Lin
coin. In honor of that illustrious memory and Of
the great cause for which we had fought, In recog
milton OF the affectionate friendships which had
been inspired among the officers Of the army then
about to disband. in historic recollection OF the
Society of the Cincinnati which had embraced the
officers of the Revolutionary Army, 1t was deter
mined 10 form this order, and at meeting Of
few officers in this city the initial steps were that
day taken for its organization. 1t was the first OF
the military societies th which n followed or Iot Iaher
tend TO pursue the details of its history except to
say that when some time later the society OF the
ed TO comprehend all OF whatever rank who had
honoraby served, no antagonism was created TO
Lnls; nor was any reason seen wny' N iLs mOIe
maintained. To the Grand Army of the Republic
we have always fully aud cordially accorded as
sentative society which includes and gathers into
itself every association of that whole American
army which subdued the Rebellion. That society
has extended wide its generous and open-handed
charity; it has cherished the noblest patriotism.
and If there are those of this association who are
fully TO join its ranks ane to give to II their cordial
support in lis purest and highest aims.
on the officers who listen to me, many, almost a
majority. have carried the musket and the KNAPP
sack In the ranks, and are justly proud that they
have won their way by their own ability and de
Ie ths gen cS%maad @s h,aa Yet
result Of circumstance and opportunity, and thus
accident contributes to success. 1t was especial
ground In fo the ca Of an mpeT 5ee
lied country. Long and faithful service to many
man brought only The broad consolation of duty
nebly done, OF sacrifice generously offered, and Of
that self-respect which one may well maintain
even in the humblest home. AS I would speak
tonight Of all our armies as but one, so would
speak of those who composed it as but a single
body OF men. Side by side on many field won
6y ineir va yaior. no useless IS les eofns around their
soldiers martial shroud, officers and men await
together the coming OF the eternal
have returned, have returned with equal claims
to the regard and love of those for whom they
far as his title to respect is concerned it can and
ought to make no difference whether he did it
with the stars Of the General or the eagles of the
OF the private The fame OF every General even
in the highest rank, must depend largely on the
men whom he leads. However far-reachng and
hands and stout hearts that they mast be carried
out and results achieved
cation of the American citizen is to that system
of discipline which Is intended to make Of the
strength and power of thousands may be welded
Dy the will of one alone, when we remember how
prone we al are to criticse s.oS the act Of
realize how difficult it must have been
to yield that unqueslioning obedience which is
the necessary rule of the military service. Yet
how generously they gave their confidence, how
noby they strCve, sometimes In disaster, often
the orders they receiyed~to one who held any
command the wish must often have come that he
could have led them better and done more full
Companion, we meet not merely for few hours
OF social enjoyment, nor alone to renew our
friendships formed although many of them were
when then the deathshots were falling thick and
fast; we meet also to reassert our devotion to the
great cause OF the Constitution and the Union;
we meet to honor the memories OF those who
bravey died In that righteous cause, or who have
passed from our side in the years that have fol-
and to the great principles Of liberty and justice
Next followed a fantasia by the Marine
Band, descriptive of an episode in a soldiers
life. This was heartily enjoyed by the vet
Grams, who rose to their feet and joined in
in the piece. James G. Murdoch followed
with several readings, and short addresses
were delivered by Secretary Tracy and Gen.
erals Schofeld, Howard. Beaver, Porter.
Slocum, Mills. Swayne, Marshall and Man
derson. The band played musical panora-
ma. From the Lakes to the Gulf Stream"
concluding with an apotheosis of Hail Co.
lumbia." The companions were then es-
corted to the Union League Club house,
where serenade was rendered them by the
club. 1t was announced during the business
session of the day that the sixth annual
meeting of the cOmmandery-in -in-chef would
be held in st. Louis, beginning October 16
The following Maine people are in attend
ance upon the 25th anniversary of the found
ing of the military order Of the Loyal Legion
In Philadelphia.
Gen. G. L. Beal, Augusta.
Surg. G. III. Brickett, Augusta,