Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-22

zig with prayer. Secretary C. W. Hemstreet
read number Of letters from members who
had not been able 70 attend .he reunion. Gen.
Howard introduced Col. wagner Swain, who
spoke. He said: II knew that the seventeenth
army corps was near here On account OF little
bit Of fotaging saw You remember the
corps sas rather noted for foraging. Well, as
l came along today l met a comrade Of the
eleventh corps. They are meeting now and
had secured Ten. Howard, but some members
OF the seventeenth corps came along, and there
sits the general. And he's member Of our
corps Corps means bo1y. We'll. that's what
we arc-a body. One body. as least. as FAR as
having one heart goes.
~ was nct in 'he procession. I stood on the
stre:. and watched our boys 60 r.. They do
not look like boys now. They look like veter-
ans. They Look like men who have faced hard
ship s1.d prtvation and danger and death to pre-
serve their fag-ths most beautiful fas in the
world--intact. They looked as If they were
men, every man Of them. Every man needs an
apology for living. We have our apology, 1t is
this United States Of America, which We have
saved from destruction God bless your
SECRETARY RUsK.
Secretary Rusk was then introduced. Ho
said: 81 am not competent to fl this place. I
fee! like an Indiana friend Of mine who was
colonel in the war. He didn't know much
about tactics, but he had managed to collect 4
day he executed come mar euver in such an ex-
ecrable manner that he brought down repri-
raari. He was running for some Office at home
and was very indignant at his treatment, and
searching out his superior, he said: Now
what's the matter with me2 He wes told.
He glanced about the tents ccutemptrously for
moment md then said: Wall, I'll be
switched. Mebbe don't know tactics, but by
gum I'll bet $500 that can plow straighter
turrow thar any son of tinker in this army
That's how feel. 1t was our duty TO do our
best and We did it. Especially when there was
any fornging to be done. l don't think any
one could beat us at that. l am glad that
was member Of the seventeenth army corps.
am proud OF it. Gen. Blair always led us to
victory. And ~e prt down the rebellion. The
seventeenth corps did that. Others claim to
have been responsible for it, but we did it.
GOV. FLETCHER.
Gov. Fletcher OF Missouri was then called on.
He said: ~ know all you old fellows. I'm
here having goo3 time. I'm meeting the old
soldiers and they ere having q good time
spinning yarns. An old soldier. telling
his experiences always reminds me Of
the man who was always telling his
wife ard daughter ,7hat he had done in
the war. He had done wonders. Finally one
day his daughter said to his wife: Mamma,
why didn't Mr.. Lincoln help papa put down
the rebellionY Don't tell them said 80, but
these old soldiers nre tho biggest liars in erea-
ton. Some day when hc-e time III -. you
what did. / served under Gen. Frank Blair,
and he was c.,o of tho ibest biggest hearted
true soldiers have ever met. He served his
God and his country only s:;ch n man could.
And the boys under him were true blue, too.
Boys. this country belongs to u.s. Yes, it does,
for il it hadn't been for US IL wouldn't exist
now" Gen. Howard said thu. Lincoln was
the idol Of tho colored people Ono day not
long ago I was Questiort..s a Sunday school OF
colored people. i said: who was the Savior
of mankindy Il knows, sab, piped a small
voice. We'll, who was it, Massa Abe
Lincoln, sah' came the reply"
Private Cammea recited "Pat's Confederate
Pig" to the great amusement OF bic audience
swelled fiom q thousand thrca.s, every one
standing.