The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1890-07-11
ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.
Annual Reunion at Portland, Me.-Chal
acteristic Sneech nv General sherman.


acteristic Speech BY General sherman.
PORTLAND, Me-, July 4-The society
of the Army Of the Potomac had rainy
morning for the opening of their annual
reunion in this city. During the fore
noon corps meetings were held in the
city hall Some of the corps were
largely represented, but of others only
dozen members or so were present.
Secretary of War Proctor was elected
president of the First corps
The veterans met in the city hall yes
terday afternoon. In thegalleries there
were many ladies. Among the promi-
nent officers who occupied the seats on
the floor and on the stage were General
Sherman, General F. A. Walker, Hon.
Horatio King, General Fitz John Porter,
General Selden Common. General G. T.
Coils, Colonel Horace C. King, General
Hodges, General Dickinson, Generals
Locke, Clarkson, Beale, Vanvliet, Good
ard, John w. Corse. Broadhead, Devens
and Howard and officers of the war YES
sells in the harbor.
While the band was playing Hon.
Hannibal Hamlin came on the platform
and the whole society rose and gave
him three cheers. He held quite re-
ception on the stage, shaking hands
with many, while all gathered around to
greet him. After an address Of welcome
by Mayor Melcher, of Portland, the
NEE ting was called to order by General
Coils.
General Walker then delivered the
lob hto%a
of the career of the army of the Potomac.
After the grafton by General Walker
was finished the chairman introduced
general Sherman, who received a pro-
longed ovation and spoke as follows:
Comrades of the Army OF the Potomac and
Ladies and Gentlemen of Portland:
1t is not the food we eat that gives health
and strength, but that which we digest. 1t
is so with the mind. 1t is not the books we
read, or the newspapers either, or even the
speeches we hear, that enlarge our under
standing. but those we comprehend and d.
gest Now, my friends, 1 have lad a good
deal Of experience In my life, and have
learned since i have been upon this stage
that the grand review in Washington term
mated when the Army of the Potomac
passed. 1t reminds me of a story General
Taylor is said to have told to an applicant
for office in Washington, who urged his
claims from having been at Buena Vista.
General Taylor said he had heard of so many
things having occurred there that although
he had thought he was there himself, he had
come to the conclusion that he was not
there at all.
Now, I have so 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 Potomac had
the floor and was upon the stage at that
time, as i am now, taking notes of the posi-
tions. that might profit by them. For, IL
you remember, the armies of the West did
not have a fair reputation for order, drill
and discipline You got your news of US
through rebel sources [great applausel and
we chased them for 800 miles into your very
camps. They had not q very good opinion
of our Western armies and we found that
even the authorities at Washington had not
a very good opinion of our Western armies.
They thought we were rather liable to dis
order. Now, assure you, my friends Of the
Potomac, we were better drilled than
you were. 1 know it, because i was their
Commanding General Laughter and ape
plause.I :. FA n
Now LET me give you little Bit of private
history, which have not given any one ex- |
cept my most Intimate friends. l was on |
that stand before Meade was, and indeed be- |
fore President Johnso and the Cabinet had |
you have heard described, and as he wheeled |
into the gate Of the White House grounds, |
up came Custer, and some lady flung him u i
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 of |
the Champs de Mars in Paris. The horses
were good. the men were sublime, but not
good looking for review. es.. IL
Now four corps passed In succession and
the Intervals between them were too large.
i kept my eye upon them and watched them
all the time. And the worst mistake the
army of the Potomac made was that you
had two bands loaned you by stay at homes
in Washington. There were these ele-
CANT bands designated to play music of the
highest order and the latest operas. You
could not understand them, and I don't
blame you for it. You don't keep step. Now
the first duty of a soldier is to keep step
and dress right and keep his eyes to the
'front.' Now, a good many of them
turned their eyes and heads around
like country gawks. looking at the big
people on the stand Those ere little things.
You know there are tricks n every trade.
my young friends-tricks in wsr as well as
in peace. turned to Meade and said 81
am afraid my poor volunteer corps will
make poor appearance contrasted with |
your well fed men," and Meade said: swell.
Sherman, the people in Washington are now
so well disposed toward the army that they
will make all allowance. You need not be
afraid"
Well. that evening got word from Gen
eral Augur saying IL wanted those two
bands could have tlem. said: Thank
, on, think will stick to my old bands"
and sent word that n ght to all corps com
BE careful about intervals, ac-
cording to tactics. and keep your dress to
left toward the reviewing stand, and don't
let your mer be looking around over shout
lers. Ne will give them plenty Of time to
see the capital and see every thing after the
review Is over. Let them keep their eyes
fifteen PAGES to front, shoulders square and
march in the old accustomed way" They
lid so. a5HE aRE
Well, after the reviewing was over, con-
tend that your review was over, but mine
was not. The two con st 'tute a thing of mag
nifcent proportions, creditable to both. As
TO the patriotism within their hearts, as to
the principles which moved these great
Masses of men to a common purpose, we
need not speak. bec-iu history has treated
" It for twenty -flve years. But urOn the
imple question of instruction and discipline
We can take lessons to the very last DAY of
,ur lives. Now General Walker for whom
have great affection as well as pro- |
'ound respect, did not give an account of
he cost in human life in furnish ng that
,old cavalry, nor the great corps that fur
iished the war with muscle and brain. do
,elieva. las ! do believe in him who rules over
Is. that this country spent 81 coo, 90 and
O1,OJO precious lives to teach them the art
war. Now let our children digest these |
thoughts well and give credit to ali alike |
md remember that this country extends
,ver the continent and is not confined t. |
me part and that there are good people |
Flour Duties Increased.
WASHINGTON, July 5.-The Secretary
# State has received the following dis
g..