Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-07-04
CRITICS OF THE WAR
Attacked by Gen. SlOcum at the
Army Of the Potomac Reunion.
CORRESPONDENTS THE OBJECT.
Of the Old Generals Especial Attention in
His Grafton.
UNCLE SAM Is A GENEROUS PENSIONER
rsrzc1AL TELEGRAM TO THE DIsPATcH.1


session of the hotels, the streets, the public
buildings, and even many of the private
dwellings Flags fly from every housetop.
Bunting waves on every breeze. Martial
music greers the ear. The city is en- fete IL
honor of the survivors of the Civil War. 1t
is the twentY-second annual reunion of the
Society OF the Army of the Potomac. The
ceremonies extend over two days Repre-
sentatives are present from every State that
was loyal 30 the Union.
General yeasey, Commander in Chief of
the Grand Army of the Republic, and De-
partment Commander Charles H. Freeman
are here General Horatio King, of Brook
lvn: General Henry W. Sloeum, the orator
of the day: General Henry Borden, the
famous sharpshooter, and many other promi-
nent army men are present. Large delega-
tions from New York, Boston, Philadelphia
and other cities arrived this morning.
The proceedings began with corps meet
ings in Music Hall this forenoon. AT
O'Clock there was an excursion on Lake
Erie and the Niagara river, and luncheon
at Sheerwatcr, rendered TO the visitors BY
the citizens of Buffalo The excursion
steamers Michigan, Perry and Fessenden.
In the evening there was big meeting in
Music Hall An interesting musical pro-
gsAAIme was rendered, and there were
number of informal addresses by prominent
speakers Colonel George A. Marden, of
Boston, read an original poem. General
Henry W. Slocum delivered the following
address:
The Address of General Slocum.
Mr. President and Comrades:
Since our last annual meeting death has
removed from our midst one who has fire.
quentlv been ouT honored guest, one who is
universally accorded a position as one of
the greatest and purest American Generals.
Oar love for General Sherman, personally,
and our admiration for his great military
genius will grow brighter as the years roll
bv, and as each vear brings forth new Incl
dents in his wonderful career.
When the Secretary of this society in
formed ne that the honor of addressing YOU
on this occasion had been conferred upon
me, l at once wrote requesting him to send
me list Of the speakers who have enjoyed
this privilege on former occasions / re-
ceived in reply list embracing the names
of all who have ever addressed the society
at its annual meetings. The committee, in
its selection of orators, has not confined it.
self to distinguished soldiers, but has
frequently resorted TO the clergy and the
legal profession. l find in the number the
names of such renowned orators as Rev.
Henry Ward Beecher, George William Cur
It's, Chauncey VI. Depew, Daniel Doherty,
Cortlandt Palmer and DR.. Behrends.
The List of Soldier Orators.
''In the list of soldiers find the names of
Generals DIX, Chamberlain, Woodford,
Devens, J. r. Hawley, Horace Porter Cal
win Z. Pratt and Others ] have attended
most of the meetings of the society and have
observed that as a rule the orators from
civil life have spoken of the patriotism of
the army, of its great service, and of the grand
results flowing from the war Many of
those selected from the military profession
have indulged in criticisms on the conduct
OF the war, and have discussed the errors
committed during the struggle.
''The thought mas occurred to me that the
committee believe an address of the charac-
ter last named to be desirable at times, and
for this reason | am indebted for the honor
conferred upon ne. shall, therefore, fol-
low the precedent set by some of my dis
tinguished military predecessors.
Treatment of the Press.
''The most difficult question Government
like ours has to encounter in time of war is
the proper treatment by the Government
and the army of the press of the country.
No administration in this country can carry
on a great war without the active and earnest
aid of the press. 1t is this tremendous
power which keeps alive the patriotism of
the people, supplies recruits to our armies |
and money ts cur treasury. And yet a
soldier who attempts TO point out the evils |
that beset our army during the war; without |
speaking of those we suffered from the action |
OF the press, would be an arrant coward.
"ThOse evils of course, are far greater
under Z Republic, where the liberty of the
press is iealously and properly guarded,
than under monarchy; and yet, under the
monarchies of Europe, the course of the
press in recent years has become almost in
tOleTable.
A Military Writer'S Onslaught.
ga very able military writer, Lascelles |
Wraxail, who, long ago published a work |
entitled The Armies of the Great Powers, |
in commenting upon the campaign in the |
Crimea, says. Another great grievance |
under which the English army suffers and |
which, so long as it is permitted TO con-
tinue, must impede any successful opera
tions, is the ulbridlcd discussion by the |
press of all military movements during a /
campaign. Far be it from us to wish to Law |
any fetJers On the press or to ignore the
= iVan!ages derivahle from thorough |
' entiiation of all army questions, yet we
honestly think that when matters are
car led TO such pitch as before Sebastopol.
wire, General Codrington was compelled to
issue general order to prevent the pubIica-
tiUn of the most important secrets, the
efficiency OF the army must be materially |
injured by such indiscreet publicity
Even the Duke of Wellington was tor
mented by newspaper correspondents, and
We find il his dispatches repeated illusions
TO the subject. But what would he have
said to the swarm of self-constituted critics
who bcset our army in the CriInea, and sent
home the most absurd reports to delight the
reading public as to the inefficiency of our
generals. These letters found their way
back TO camp in printed form, and were ad-
mirably adapted to enhance the feeling of |
among our men.
A Destroyer of Confidence.
Newspaper articles do not, after all, DOS
sess the weight Of speeches uttered by pop
ular men III Parliament, and these certainly |
did their utmost to destroy all confidence in
our army. A General commanding, who,
while he is standing in the presence of an
enemy, is compelled to hear such things as
were uttered about Lord Raglan and his
successor, cannot possibly secure the neces-
sary confidence of his men, and must at last
lose confidence in himself
"'And then again! that notorious Roebuck
ii not suhvcrt all ideas of
military honor and discipline? Officers
were compelled to appear before a commit
tee OF civilians and publicly express their
opinion Is to the merits OF their superior
officers Ii the originators and defenders of
this inquiry could have heard, as we did.
the sarcastic remarks of The French officers,
4 fh.. - ! |