Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-08-20

oANlxATION WAS EFExC1ED.
A MONG THE MANY ASSOCIATIONS
"A growing out Of the late war to meet here
during the Grand Army encampment days il
the Medal Of Honor Legion, an association Of
soldiers, sailors and marines Of the late rebel
lion, Of which the country has not heard great
deal, and yet its membership is composed Of the
material which makes up the glory Of war Its
members are all heroes, and can only become
members by reason Of their conspicuous acts
OF heroism in the service Of their country upon
the battlefield
Those only are eligible who have received the
bronze medal granted by act Of Congress to
such oficers, non-commissioned officers, pri.
Yates, landsmen, sailors and marines as shall
most distinguish themselves by their gallantry
in action and other soldierly qualities
Naturally the medals are highly priced by
those holding them, and yet Notwithstanding
that over two million enlistments were made in
the Union army during the rebellion less than
i've hundred Of these medals were given for
heroic action in battle, and of the recipients
less than half are now alive. In view of the
fact that this medal is the only decoration that
this country has ever given they must be re-
garded as distinction of the highest order.
AN ORGANIZATION EFFECTED.
These medals might still have slumbered in
peaceful security, as they have almost up to
date, had it not been for Capt. N. A. Dillon,
! who, in April. 1890, conceived the idea Of find
ing the local addresses of the medal holders.
This he found to be an almost endless task. but
he continued in his searches with the result Of
securing about 400 of the holders former ad-
dresses, many Of whom he fonnd to have been
finally mustered out. Mr.. Dillon had a circu-
lar printed calling the medal men to meet at
his house on the sd Of April, 1890 to which
call goodly number responded. and an organ
ization was effected of a semi-military char
| acter. with Mr.. Dillon elected comman der-i
| chief. Edwin NJ. Truell, first vice commander;
Cyrus b. Lower. second vice commander;
Thomas NJ. Reed adjutant general; Felix Bran
nigan, judge advocate general; Jas. r. Durham,
quRrtermaster general: William Wilson, in
spector general: Leopold Karpales. surgeon
general; A. s. BRYANT, chaplain. Soona circular
was prepared calling a national convention at
Boston, Mass, for August II to l6, 1890. in
elusive, at which gathering Mr.. Dillon was re-
elected commander-in-chief, and was succeeded
by Frank NJ. Whitman at Detroit, Mich. August
8, 1891, since which time most of those holding
the medal have been enrolled
The present officers Of the legion are Frank
NJ. Whitman, commander-in-chief; Patrick
Mullen, first vice commander; Louis Richards
second vice commander; Franklin Johndro,
surgeon general; A. S. Bryant, chaplain; Joseph
). Manning, adjutant general; Felix Brannigan.
judge advocate general; Jas. r. Durham, quar-
termaster general; Horace l.. Piper, commits
sary general; Joseph Vantine, inspector gen.
MEDALS sPARINGLY GIVEN.
In this country medals sparingly given.
The government recognizes no order or society
for the purpose of decoration. but in the one
instance, it NAV be said, it decorates the soldier
and sailor by act of Congress- with the medal of
honor, for gallant and conspicuous conduct in
battle or in taking life. while on the other hand
1t confers the hfe-saving medal for the great
risk run by one person in saving the life of an
other from drowning. Hence. in the one case,
where one of the principal objects is to cripple
or destroy the enemy, even by taking his life
II necessary, the soldier and sailor is rewarded
and decorated. while in the other case the citi-
zen, who saves the life of a drowning person, is
also rewarded; and, by tine way. the latter per-
son or life saver, receives gold or silver medal
as the case may be, while the soldier or sailor,
the destroyer of life, receives bronze. or the
less valuable one intrinsically.
In England the orders of the Bath and Garter
are bestowed for civil merit and are very limited
in number. None but those high in position in
the country can receive them. Societies such as
the Humane Society, colleges and other institu-
tions confer highly priced titles or decorations.
but they are not recognized by governments
1t would therefore be much out Of place and
very poor taste to wear them except on special
occasions. Governments sometimes confer their
decorations on citizens of other countries for
great merit daring or very hazardous services.
The recipient, however, must first obtain the
consent OF his own government to receive it.
DECORATIONS IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
Many Of the early military decorations of Ger
many, given several hundred years ago. were
for long service, war service counting double.
The order common to the three Anhalt duchies
is ALBERT, the Bear and consists of three
classes-the first wear the decoration across the
right shoulder, the second from :he neck the
third from the buttonhole. and beal different
devices and inscriptions. Austria has the
Order of the Golden Fleece" Order Empress
Maria Theresa. Empress Elizabeth Theresia, "
.'The Cross Of Military Merit" 1.-The Cross of
Bravery and 1.-The Order of the Military Medal
of Honor" founded by Emperor Joseph ii. in
gold and silver, according to the degree of
merit. The gold gives 50 per cent increase in
pay, the silver one-third and both gives half
pay on leaving the service. All the others give
pensions. Spain has 1.-The Order of the Golden
Fleece, " the badge Of which may be worn from
the neck or buttOnhole. except on occasions of
great ceremony, when it is worn from the neck
and the wearer must be in uniform, consisting
Of long robe of deep red velvet, lined with
white taffetas, over which is thrown long man.
tie of purple velvet lined with white satin and
richly trimmed with embroidery containing fire
stones and steel emitting flames and sparks
Spain has also "The Order Of Maria Therese,"
purely military order and conferred only for
extraordinary deeds Of valor in battle. without
regard to BIRTH favor, family or length of SER
vice. All the Spanish orders carry pensions.
Italy has the "Order of the Iron Cross in
three classes, who receive pensions of 5000 700
and 800 lires The uniform is gorgeous, the
first class wearing long robes with trains, the