The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-04-16
THE MARTYR CHIEF.
Celebration Of Loyal Legion's
Twenty-fifth Anniversary.
HAYES sR,oHrEsT ~
rAe KxPressaens Delivers GrsnA Ora-
ssss - the Life es AbraAsa
Line@ln.

>~s& stsNsA " sate tWeHEX~Hft0 anniversary
Of the military orsanixatson. the Loyal
iexicn, began this morning Ailinconsing
trains brought conmanderies from various
states. II i estimated that when al are
arrived the attendance viii number about
$50 companies. Al a meeting Of the
commanders this morning, Rutherford b.
Hayes. cummander-in-chief OF the order,
presided
General Wager Swayne. OF New York,
offered resolution that II the next annual
meeting the constitution be changed 10
permit the formation OF . commandery in
London for the benefit OF companions re-
siding abroad The matter was discussed
till recess without action.
At the afternoon session General
Swayne's resolution was withdrawn be-
because Of the belief expressed by many
that II viii be . dangerous precedent 10
change the constitution.
The resolution for the abolition OF grsties
Was vosed down.
ADDRESS By Ex-rgEsspENT HAYES
Tonight the ceremonies incident TO the
celebration Of the twenty-tiffh anniversary
OK the order were held at the Academy OF
Music. The building was profuseiy and
beautifully decorated. Many distinguished
men were on the stage and the building
was crowded with an audience Of the COM
panions OF the order and invited guests.
Several addresses were made, including
one by ex-President Hayes, ,commander-in-
Chief. He spoke briefly Of the many
tributes to Lincoln, and said that they
bring US to the question:
Our beloved society. the Loyal Legion
Wnst - IL dnsr - n
OF Lincoln's fame? Our highest striving
must Be 70 support and advance the work
which Lincoln aid in behalf of his country
and all the world
What were the ideas by which Lincoln
became forever the type. the representa-
tive. the very incarnation OF the spirit and
purpose Of the divine war;
Our reply Is: Humanity; anxious
solicitnde for the welfare of his fellow men;
sympathy with the oppressed and suffer-
ing; hatred of wrong to the humbiest
being; these sentiments and sentiments
like these filing his soul aud guiding his
life. are at once the secret and sure founda-
ton OF the enduring place which Lincoln
holds in the affections Of all mankind.
Nowhere can the lesson of his wonder
full life be mere ftly studied nor more
fondly cherished than in this army society
which traces its organization to he awful
time when the ending Of that life was felt
% q personal bereavement by all Who
fought the good fight that " - so ennoolcd
and consecrated by the death OF its martyr
chief.
THAT lesson, while 1t contains almost
the whole future OF our country, Is short
and simple. Our America today Is draw
ING near to the parting OF the roads.
"Daxxled almost to blindness by con-
temptation of the unrivailed swiftness and
splendor of her march to prestige, to power
and to riches, our country may be tempted
to reject, or may neglect the message of
Abraham Lincoln. That message was
often repeated by him In words, and al
ways exhibited In his life It can be easily
given in . single sentence His whole life
seemed TO say TO his countrymen: Sec 70
IL that every son and daughter of our re-
public. so far as human laws and human
conduct avail. shall have an equal chance
and fair start In the race OF life
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 OF.
"On the other hand. let the American
people, especially ali who stood BY Lincoln
on the periions edge of battle In support Of
the rights Of human nature. remain stead
fastly true to the ideas for which they
fought. and we shall thus do all that in ns
lies 10 Ink the destiny of our country TO
the stars, and TO entitie her institutions TO
share In that immortality which. under
the allotment Of Providence in the affairs
Of nations, belongs always and only to
eternal justice.
The speech was received with great ap-
psause.
A feature Of the evening was q beautiful
musical programme repdered by the ma
rine band.
At the conclusion of the ceremonies, the
companions went TO the Union League
Club. where a serensde was tenfercd them