Telegram-herald., 1891-11-26
FOR WARVORN HEROES
The Beautiful Banner Presented to
VIM. p. Innss' Command
By The VENERABLE COL. NREYsOLDS
4 GRAND J0liineatloa Held In Gsldss
Eagle Hall Last Esenisx-A HAPPY
MssstnS-1hs Uaioa ysssraas'
CGiUn.

The gathering in Golden Eagle hall
last evening Was composed OF men who
have become prominent in the history
of the country. They were men who
had endured the hsrdships incident to
soldier life and had aided materially
IN winning decisive battles on the field
of contention for the psrpetuation OF
the union. The occasion WAS the
formal presentation by General Wm. +.
innes of u banner To William r. lnnes
command Union Veterans union, No.
IL. as a mark OF the generals apprecla-
ton OF the honor 60 lierred upon him
by the union having adopted his name
for the organization. The meeting
was presided over by Commander Geo.
A. Chsppell of the command. The
exercises were opened Win prayer by
the Rev. j. w Red of the Second street
NJ. E. church, after which the audience
arose AID sang the old patriotic song.
"Amerca." Colonel =. V. Fox was
first called uIon for an address, and
responded with speech full of patri-
otic sentiments. The venerable colonel
wss received with applause, and his ut
ciauye attention. He SAID he was glad
to welcome the custom adopted oy sew
eral states of placing the stars and
stripes over the school houses within
their border. He counseled the old
veterans to ever be ON the lookout for
| the protection of that liberty which is
the greatest boon TO the American cit.
| zen.
Captain Beiiair Explains.
Captain j. O. Bellaire then explained
the object of the Union Veterans union
by SAYING that the qualifications re-
quired OF candidate were six months
active service in the army and an hon.
| orable discharge. Its object is to look
| after the interests of the ex-soldiers
and to unite them in social relations.
| The union was first organized lmmedl-
ately after the battle OF Gettysburg
and is now represented in eleven.
states in the Union. 1t antagonizes no
| other soldier organization. Colonel VI.
| to the veteran soldier and to the gentle
man who had been hopored by the
command. Al the close of his patriotic
remarks the old veterans Joined IN
loud applause. General Innes then
stepped to the front. and said that it
| was solemn thing to him to present q
banner to a union OF tha. kind. He
felt proud for the honor OF having the
union named after him because il was
done without his knowledge. The first
information he had of the action of
the command was through the daily
papers. and while he lay sick in bed.
He said the news atruok him like G.
/ thunder bolt. He begged leave to
place the duty of making the presents-
ton in the hands of one who had been
honorcd by the nation, man who was
with General Scott and q personal
| frieni of President Lincoln. 1t was
Col. A. I. McReynolds.
Presented by Col. McReynoids.
The presentation was then made by
Col McReynold. The banner is beau
tiful piece OF workmanship, artist
caily wrought III gold leaf, bearing the
name OF the company and the date
OF rs organization. The command
colors. red, yellow and blue, adorn
| one SIDE, with the insignia, cross guns
and cross cannons. 1t is trimmed with
gold cords and tassels. Col. McRey-
nolds sad the American flag would
| never be trailed In the dust. 1t was
tried once by the rebels, with the larg.
est army ever equipped and sent forth
upon the. battle field. He SAID the
presentation of . flag like that was no
idle ceremony, and further, that
this country had nothing to
fear from the armies of the
world. Next to his home the
colonel loves TO be IN the c,mpany Of
the l'oys IN blue. The banner was ac-
ceptcd py Col. Geo. II. Cappell on be-
half of the command. He said it WAS
received with sincere thanks and IL
would ever be treasured. Its beautiful
folds would never be soiled by any act
OF the command, and he hoped it would
be many years before the banner would
be draped In somber hue. The sincere
and patriotic motive that prompted its
presentation was fully realized and II
would be treasured IN memory OF the
days OF 1861 to 1865 that were spent in
drcary marches, hard work. and in ter
rific battles. The speaker closed bv re-
ferring to the gallant aud patriotic
ssrvices OF Gen. INNS during the rebel
lion. At the close of the response three
cheers and tiger were gwen for Gen.
lnnis. Capt. George T.. Judd then sang
she soldiers translsi n of "Mary nasi
q Little Lamb" which created consid-
errble amusement. Congressman Bel
knsp WAS the next speaker. He ex-
planned HE position couc 'rning pension
legislation. He SAID the greatest oppo-
stion came from Northern members
of congress. the southern members sav
but little about 1t. Last Monday liz
soldiers and soldiers widows called on
him at his residence 10 present their
claims for ps n slons. aud he assured
them he would do all he could
for the soldier and the widows.
lie is proud 90 wear the g.. A. r. but
tan and intends 10 become q member Of
the Union Veterans union. Three
cheers and tiger wcre gwen for tie
gallant captain and soldiers friend al
the close OF hls remarks Capt. Geo.
r. Judd, Col. z. Alfrieh and Jerome "
shsnK of Henry Strong command. aiac
| sonphmsnted General Innis on hi,
brilliant army record aud spoke word.
of cheer for the old veteran in his de
cllriing years. Tne program vas inter-
spefsed With recitstIons and patriotic
songs. and the occasion WAS one o'
hsflpv intermmgIing Of personal ex
| psrIences.