Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-06-29
THE REUNION CLOSED.
The Potomac Survivors
Have a Banquet.
GEN. PORTER'S ADDRESS.
Commander Miles Puts IN q Word For
Loyal Southerners.

BOSTON June 20 The Society OF the
Army OF the Potomac brought It's reunion
10 a close by hamquet at the American
House last evening. The company did
hot go In to dinner until after 8 o'clock,
Ind II was mid night before the festivities
were concluded. IL was gay and festive
occasion. There were speeches, stories,
boxes and wine galore. The banqueting
room was handsomely decorated with
fags and buntir g, and the ladies of the
Rrmy-who have been In attendance upon
all the proceedings and festivities-were
present to add color and charm to the oc-
easion. Henry's orchestra and the
Mendelssobn quartet furnished the music.
General Horace Porter, the retiring
president of the society, was in the chair.
During his stay in Boston he has fully
niaint,ined his reputation as wit. His
speech last evening effervesced with
bright and happy sayings When II came
10 the speechmaking hour General Porter
tapped the company to order by pounding
On the table
with n Wine Bottle.
That Is not the symbol OF the society; IL
was simply used because 1t was the handi-
est implement within reach.
General Porter began his opening re-
marks by observing that his duty was like
bnto that performed by the elephant who
leads the way for herd across bridge;
pae of the little fellows IL sent ahead to
sea that erything Is safe for those who
pr,. to follow. When General Taylor was
dominated for the presidency, said General
Porter, ne remarked that he asked no
f,vors, shrank from.no responsibilities.
presiding officer is Just the contrary, for
be asks all favors and shrinks from all the
responsibilities
The Massachusetts men In the war had
the reputation, he said, Of being earl at
the front, and always ready to re-enlist
when their terms expired. They were
willing to do anything that wouldn't take
them back to Massachusetts.
Growing serious General Porter spoke
warmly and eloquently of the
yaIue Of These Reunions.
The fr1epdsbips formed In the war, he
said, were of a nature that never withered
or became DID, and as the veterans were
descending the hill Of life 1t was worthy
of all commendation that they should
come together at intervals to renew old ac-
guaintances, recall old experiences and
pledge again their loyalty to the Union.
General Porter introduced General Miles
as the first speaker. The new commander
of the society was given rousing recep-
tion. His remarks were confined to re-
tuine of the events which transpired
between the election OF Abraham Lincoln
hnd the breaking out Of hostilities be-
tween the north and south. He paid
warm tribute to General Winfield Scott,
native of Virginia. for his loyalty and
fidelity to the cause OF the Union.
Tins lad him on to refute the statement
often made that mans environment con-
trolls his action. We are told, said he,
that II we had lived In the south we would
have done as they did. / emphatically
heny this assei ton. Winfield Scott, George
H. Thomas and David G. Farragut-all
natives of the south-showed that men
could come from that section epd still be
Loyal to the Old Flag.
Captain Thomas A. Selfridge, command.
ant Of the Charlestown navy yard, re-
tpopded for the navy. Like the army, he
I'D, the navy bought to preserve the
starry banner. He would feel more CON-
Portable, he said, II he were speaking to Q
western army, for the Army OF the Poto-
mac never asked for gunboats. He re-
talled that in 1851 he stood on the wharf
ht Hampton Roads and saw the Army OF
lhe Potomac march on Richmond. No
better army ever was raised by any coun-
Dry jn the world.
General Eitz John Porter was cordially
received when INTRODUCED to speak as the
brst commander OF the Fifth Army corps.
He said 1t is pleasant thought to every
man, whatever his age may be, to have the
pleasure of again meeting his companions
from the earliest days Of his youth.
No Matter what the Troubles
knd the anguish of the intervening period
hay be. he enjoys meeting old friends to
talk over the past and discuss the pros
poets for the future. II Is q pleasure to
me to come to this city, where / had SO
many pleasant associations in my youth.
There are many companions here who
belonged to other armies than the Army
of the Potomac. I for one am glad to see
them. The Army of the Potomac has
many deeds to rejoice In, and hope you
hay bc>spared many years to NEST here
bitter az hsP-ily rs you meet now
Brief remarks were made by Richard
Watson Glider, ex-Postmaster General
Horatio King and Department Com
tuander Hall of the Massachusetts, G.
"A. r.
Following the remarks of Department
Commander Hall, resolutions were
adopted, thanking the city of Boston for
its hospitality
! Resolutions Of thanks to Poet Glider
were then adopted, after which, on motion
bf General Walker, the meeting adjourned
From Sire 20 Son.
Al a. Family Medicine Aunt Fanny.