Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-07-05
THE FOURTH AT PORTLAND.
Gen. Sherman's Amusing Observations
on the Grand Review.

OF War Proctor was elected president Of the
first corps. The veterans met in the City Hall
abou: 2 o'clock. In the galleries were MANY
ladies, while the body Of the hall was occupied
by the members of the society In different
parts of the hall we're seen corps flags denot-
ing the locati on OF the various corps Among
the prominent officers who occupied the seats
on the floor and the stage were Gen. Sherman,
Gen. F. "A. Walker, Hon. Horatio King, Gen.
Fitz-John Porter, Gen. Selden Common. Gen.
Collis, Col. Horace c. King Gen. Hodges, Gen.
Dickinson. Gems. Locke, Clarkson, Beale, Van
nhet' Goddard. John W. Corse, Brodhead,
Devens and Howard, also officers of the war
vessels In the harbor. At Gals p. m. Gen. j. NJ.
Brown escorted Gen. VIM. I. Sherman to the
stage and three cheers were given for him.
Three cheers were also given for Gen. Howard
The meeting was called to order by Gen. Coins.
VINO presided IN place of Gen. Parke. After
prayer by Rev. Norman Fox of New York and
music Gen. Walker was introduced and deliv-
cred the Grafton. Ex-Postmaster General Ho-
ratio King read poem.
While the band was playing Hon. Hannibal
Hamlin came on the platform and the whole
society rose and gave him three cheers Mr..
Hamlln held quite a reception the stage
shaking hands with many, while all gathered
around to greet him. The chairman then in
troduced Mayor Melcher OF Portland who well
coined the comrades in an admirable address,
which was responded to by Gen. Coils The
mention Of the names of Gen. Sherman and
Hannibal Hamlin by the latter speaker evoked
the widest enthusiasm.
GEN. sHERMAN's SPEECH
After the Grafton by Gen. Walker was fnishe
the chairman introduced Gen. Sherman. who
received a prolonged ovation and spoke for
several minutes, as follows:
Comrades of the Army of the Potomac and
Ladies and Gentlemen OF Portland: 1t is not
foo hat extxa haa |, Il
but that which we digest 1t is SO with the
mind. 1t is not the books we read, or the pa
pers either, or even the speeches we hear. that
enlarge our understanding. but those we COM
prehend and digest Now, my friends, have
had good deal of experience in my life and
have learned since have been upon this stage
that the grand review in Washington terminated
when the Army of the Potomac passed 1t
reminds me OF story Gen. Taylor is said to
have told an applicant for Office in WASH
ington who urged his claims from having
been at Buena Vista. Gen. Taylor said he had
heard of SO many things having occurred there
that, although he had thought that he was there
himself he had come to the conclusion that he
was not there at all. Now l have many fresh
memories of that grand review that think
was there, and think that review occupied
three days. The first day the Army of the Po-
tomac had the floor, and was upon the stage
at the time. as am now, taking notes Of the
positions. that might profit by them. For, it
have a fair reputation for order. drill and dis
cipline. You got your news of US through
rebel sources lgIeat applausel and We chased
them for 800 miles into your very camps
They had not very good opinion Of our west
ern armies, and we found that even the author
tiles at Washington had not very good opin-
ion OF our western armies. They thought we
were rather liable to disorder. Now assure
you. my friends of the Army Of the Potomac,
We were q better drilled army than you WERE
Enr
handing general. Laughter and applause
Now let me give you a little bit OF private
history which 1 have not given
70 any except my most intimate
friends. / was on that stand before
Meade was, ard, indeed, before President
Johnson and the cabinet had gotten there
Meade came with his staff, you have heard
described, and as he wheeled into the gate of
the White House ground up came Custer, and
some lady flung him wreath-one of those
circular wreaths-and in trying to get it his
mare made off with him and he went by like a
shot. and Custer was not reviewed at all, and
his brigade of cavalry would not have passed
muster on the Champ de Mars in Paris. The
horses were good, the men were sublime. but
not good looking for review. Now four corps
passed in succession, and the intervals between
them were too large. l kept my eye upon
them and watched them ali the time, and the
worst mistake the Army Of the Potomac made
was that you had two bands loaned you by stay
dt-HOiues III NdsHlu6tOH. luey were LnO8o
elegant bands designed to play music of the
highest order and the latest operas You
could not understand them, and don't blame
you for ii. You do not keep step. Now. the
first duty OF a soldier is to keep step and dress
right and keep his eyes to the 'front.' Now,
good many of them turned their ewes and
heads around like country gawks, looking at
the big people on the stand. Those are
little things You know there are tricks
in every trade, my young friends, tricks in
War as well as IL peace. / turned to Meade
and said: Il am afraid my poor volunteer
corps will make poor appearance contrasted
with your well-fed men, And Meade said:
We'll. Sherman. the people in Washington
are now SO well disposed toward the army that
they will make all allowances. You need not
be afraid Well, that evening | got word
from Gen. Augur saying if l wanted those two
bands could have them. i said: Thank you.
l think will stick to my old bands. and sent
word that night to all my corps commanders
to be careful about intervals, according to
tactics, and keep your dress to left towards the
reviewing stand and don't let your men be
looking around over shoulders. We will
give them plenty of time to the capitol
aud everything after the review is over. Let
them keep their eyes fifteen PAGES to front. Shout
ders square and march in the old accustomed
way. They did so. Well. after the review
was over contend that your review was over,
but mine was not The two constituted
thing of magnificent proportions cred-
taOle 10 Doth. As 70 the patriot
ism within their heart as to the
principles which moved these great masses
OF men to common purpose, We need not
speak, because history has treated of it for
twenty-five years. Bat upon the simple ques-
f!on o. Instruction and discipline can take
lessons to the very last day of our lives. Now.
Gen. Walker, for whom have great affection
rs we'll a. profound respect. did not give an
account of the cost III human life in furnishing
that bold cavalry nor the great corps that fur
nIshed the war with muscle and brain do
believe, as l do believe i'll Him who rules over
US, that this country spent one thousand mill
ions OF dollars and ole hundred thousand
precious lives 70 teach them the art of war.
Now, let your children digest these thoughts
well and give credit all alike and remember
THIS country extends over the continent aud Is
not confned to one part and that there are
good people everywhere"
OTHER ADDRESSES.
Hon. Hannibal Hanl. was then called for
and was greeted with thr e cheers He spoke
briefly, thanking the society for the reception
and expressing pleasure in being present Gen
U. y Howard was the next speaker He spoke
briehy aEd was followed by Gen. Devens.
Admir- al Gherardi, Gen. FitZ John Porter and
Gen. j. l.. Chamberlain. The business meet
ing followed, with the reports of the secretary
aud treasurer. An invitation was received to
hold the next session at Buff alo, and it was
unanimously voted to accept
OFFICERS ELECTED.
The following officers were elected: Presi-
dent. Gen. Selden Common, Maine; vice presi-
dent, first corps. Gen Ira NJ. Hedges. New