Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-08-28
CUNNING ros arrr,.


brigade, battery or regiment of which
the members will do nothing but bold
oflce and have q dinner once q year.
Among the societies OF veterans thus or.
ganized 40 long after the war ia ono which
is destined, its founders evidently think,
to exert wonderful infuenc, upon the
attitude OF Congress toward the veteran
soldier and sailor. 1t Is known AS the
Medal OF Honor Legionn and il com
posed OF soldiers, sailors or marines who
have been awarded medal of honor, by
act of Congress, for gallant or meriiori-
ous service.
In the general programme OF the en-
osmpment week prepared by the authori-
ties Of tn, National Grand Army OF the
hepublic Il was announced that q meet.
ing for the definite organization OF this
legion would be held in one OF the rooms
OF the Latin School, Thursday, August
18th. A few veterans wearing medals OF
honor and number of reporters for the
Boston papers accordingly assembled at
the school in response to the call. Nearly
all OF these men had exceedingly vague
notions 20 to what was the intent OF the
legion to which they had q right TO be-
long. They accordingly waited half or
three quarters OF an hours for the ap-
psaranoe of presiding officer, when, as
none arrived, they proceeded to organize
on their own account ms the Medal Of
Honor Legion" A one armed Maine
soldier who had received As wounds at
Ohanoellorsville WAS elected prssid INT.
A secretary was also chosen. The presi.
dens made short speech, Acknowledge.
ing the manifold duties and exactlnR re-
probabilities of the position, bat he
stopped short when he tried to define
what his duties were.
The "legion" was earnestly discussing
what it was there for when the door
opened and two men entered tae room.
They proved to be the commander in
chief OF the order, NJ. A. Dillon, and the
acknowledgement, Thomas NJ. Reed. A
slight friction took place In view Of the
fact that there were now three heads to
the concern: Commander In Chief
Dillon, President Chase, Just elected by
the meeting, and Secretary j. q. Man
ming. who, being tbs best parliamentarian
OF the three, had taken matters in his
own bands and was endeayoring to exps-
dite the invisible business with an energy
worthy of the Speaker OF the House.
Harmony was, however, soon restored by
the graceful retirement of the president,
the commander in chief taking the chair.
Thereupon the latter drew paper from
his pocket and began:
Comrades and Shippldtes: Ia assuming
command OF 80 gallant 4 body OF men,
CvorS one OF whom had won distinction IN
bAttle and been decorated by our govern
mant. through Congress, cannot find
words to express my gratitude for tho
high honor you have conferred upon ma
by electing me your commander In chiai.
am fully aware OF the duties of the position,
and promise you, my health permitting,
not to fail In the discharge OF my duties,
nor leave anything honorable undone to
place the legion on high plane among
the military orders OF the world.
The commAnder-in. chief thus self
elected next procee led to get forth the
motives of the new order, much to the
interest of the people present when they
beard that zone of the objects is to
pbtain legislation from Congress to more
substantially recognize the services OF tho
Veterans during the dark days OF war;"
Tho commander-in- chief fastened to
announce as a drawing card that one of
the prominent members was 3enator
Matthew s. Quay, who had expressed
great interest in the plan. had accepted a
position on the staff with the rank Of
colonel, and hsd promised to exert his
influence IN bringing certain measures
before Congress. These bills wouId
provide for the establishment of roll of
honor containing the names Of all tho
soldiers and sailors (about 400 in mum.
ber) who had been DECORATED by order OF
that body during the rebellion; the tx
emption OF these heroes from all OWL
service examinations whatever, and tbs
award to them OF "giftA" OF 800 month
during lifetime, the amount to BIS con-
tinued RfterwArd to widows and orphans.
The taoti of the commander In obisf Is
noticeable In hin usa OF the word ''gitt,"
because, rs be said, he did not like TO
speak Of ''pensions."
SThe mention OF gifts from the govern
ment aroused the enthusiasm OF the au-
dience, and all who had hitherto bsan
taking but general interest Ia the pro-
ceedinga drew nearer the presiding off,
GERS desk. New officers were called for,
and Immediately military organ Iz0tion
OF first vice commander, second vice
commander, adjutLnt- general, quarter
master-general, Judge advocate, con-
missary- general, inspector general, sur
gson-gensrAl, chaplain, and ave or six
aides de camp, rs we'll as civic organi-
cation or president, secretary and treas
urer, were instituted 10 assist the COM
mAnder-in- ch'ef, who had himself re-
elected as permanent officer, putting the
question on his own nomin ltion with the
greatest serenity.
Matters nov went on swimmingly, and
committee consisting of Ave OF the l5
members present retired headed by the
commander, 70 report iavorably on raso-
lutions voioing the opinion OF the Assem-.
bly, on rolls OF honor and "gitts" OF BOO
not been 80 unanimously one way OOm-
mander Dillon might have found diff
Guilty In presiding, for he was becoming
more and more inclined to force business |
TO suit his opinions as readily as il he had |
received license from Speaker Reed.
The greatest Difference was shown to |
the representatives or the press. The |
acknowledgement oonyers' d with them in |
animated tones and Inhibited portraits OF |
himself at all ages. which he asked TO |
have published. The newspaper men |
took deep delight in joking with the SEQ
rotary and In putting queries TO the com
mander.
The latter rose to the occasion when he |
left the chair aud followed departing |
reporter to give come photographer |
details while stormy alteration was
going on as to the next place OF meeting, |
and while the acknowledgement of the |
military organization and the treasurer |
of the civic equalization we're disputing |
as to which one of the two should collect |
the annual dues of 81. member soon |
came running after the commander to |
tell him to come back and put the ques-
ton.
''Do 1t for me-" the commander or |
dered. PUT the question"