The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-02-09
POTOMAC G.. A. r.
Silver Anniversary Celebrated with Cere-
nouial. Feastiny, and Song.

monial, Feastng, and Song.
The exercises of the observance of the quar-
ter. utennal of the Department Of the Poto-
mac. 6. a. r.. took place at the Congregational
Church, Washington. on the evening Of Feb. e.
The meeting was called to order by Command
er in Chief Wessert, who was charged with the
duty of installing the new Department officers.
s. E. Faunce was installed as Commander, Ma
than Rockford Senior Vice Commander, j. I.
Januey Junior Vice Commander and w. S.
Stevens as Chaplain.
Department Commander Faunce announced
G. NJ. Hustled for Assistant Adj utant- General,
Newton Ferry for Assistant Quartermaster-
General, and John 8. Stodder as Inspector.
Addresses were made by Commander-in-
Chief Weissert Department Commander
Faunce, Representative Elijah A. Morse. of
Massachusetts; Representative Curtis, Of New
York, and Representative Mckinney, OF New
Hampshire.
Cen Weissert spoke of the progress and pros
perity of the Order at-large, and congratulated
his comrades on the satisfactory settlement of
the colorlin trouble in Louisiana, and the
splendid increase made by that State in the past
year He paid high tribute to the loyal
women of the North, speaking of their great
fealty and deep interest in the organization.
Department Commander Faunce spoke In
part as follows:
ITO my mind one of the greatest victories of
the war, ono that emphasized most forcibiy the
character of the men engaged in that great
four. years struggle, that showed to foreign
Nations the perpctuity of our Republic, that
disappointed the foolish hopes and unholy
ambitions of class of citizens who stayed at
home and fred their shots from the rear as the
boys marched to the front, was the manner
in which that great body of armed men left the
fields they had won and the enemy they had
conquered, returned to their homes, broke
ranks, and became again good citizens, aud as
simulated with the changed condition of things
What Nation on the face of this great globe can
make such an exhibit? And what body OF
armed men, who had been rtcipants in such
bloody struggles as they, ever so honored them
selves and the cause for which they had fought
as when they laid aside their implements Of
warfare and took up again the plow, the ham,
mer, the paint-b the yardstick, the pen,
the law. book, and the Billie. and maintained
in civil life the great principles for which they
stood in arms under the National flag.
Congressman Morse said III part: Comrades,
/ ask 10 greater worldly honor for you or Tor
myself than that men write on your grave
stones and on mine Here lies a soldier OF the
Republic, who loved his country and did what
he could to save the Union In the British
Museum in London, ! the coat OH which
Gen. Wolf died stained with his blood. He
died or tho Plains Of Abraham at the siege OF
Quebec. 1t was at critical moment in tie
battle; he staggered with a mortal wound In
his breast he did not want the men TO know
that he was wounded. He cried out to the
officers that stood around him. Hold me mp
and don't let them sec me fall Comrades,
prove yourselves worthy of having been SOL
dicrs of the Republic and don't let any man
see you fall
After the ceremonies the comrades adjourned
to the Ebbitt House. where a banquet was held.
The responses to the toasts were made by the
following comrades: THE President Cor
pora Tanner; Army and Navy" Congress
man Rockwell, of New York; Grand Army
of the Republic" Commander Weissert; Wo-
men and Wives" Col. II. Clay Evans
The regular order was broken into by the
unexpected absences of Gen. Redfeld Proctor
and Gen. Dan McCauley, who were to have re-
sponded to THE President" and Our Silver
Anniversary" respectively. The responses
were largely in the nature of impromptus, and
the more enjoyable on that account.