The morning call., 1894-04-17
IN NILES HONOR.
Reception by the Loyal
Legion.
Visitors From All Parts Talk of
Their Experiences on the
Pacific Slope.

say, providing that he appreciates the feel
ing exhibited to him las. night by the
members of the Loyal Legion of the Cali
fornia Commandery.
The hospitable reunion was held at the
Occidental Hotel. Everybody was there.
veterans of the Civil War mostly. and
others. Among the most prominent, all
decorated with the proud button. were
Past Master Backus. Colonel w. R.
Smedberg, Governor Saunders of Ne
baska. Colonel Christensen of Mis-
sonri, Colonel Stettin from the com.
mauderv at Chicago, General Thomas
Ewing of New York. Major-General
w. 81. Dimond. General Shafter and Chap
lain j. d. Maccnder from Angel Island,
General Graham from the Preside,
Colonel A. G. Hawes. Major j. d. Rug
Allen. Colonel j. b. Fuller, Captain
Stevens. Colonel Shaw. Captain Leon
Jones, Captain II. c. Rennie. Colonel w.
S. Morgan, Captain Z. ID. judd. Major
HOoper-Of course-COionel Charles A.
Sumner and many others, in addition to
the guests of the evening.
Postmaster Backus opened the ceremony
by saying that be did not pose as an orator,
but he wished to introduce the guest OF the
Of the nation. The speaker related all
General Miles guerrlc feats; how he
was the youngest majOr-general in the
United States army, and how his
future lay In the cOmmandery-in-chief of
the great army of the republic. Through
hard times he had come t pleasant places,
and it was to be hoped he'd stay.
General Miles arose to his feet and made
the assemblage particularly cheerful by
say ing that he felt like home. His asso-
citation with the California Commandery
was one of the pleasantest recOlections of
his life. i've been in Massachusetts,
Oregon and Kansas" he said. "and for
two years I've been vice-commander of
all. Pm pleased to meet others who come
from different States, and I've met great
enterprises in my intercourse with men.
But none comes nearer 10 nv heart than
this cOmmandery of California, and | feel
that more so sin ce my four years absence.
YOu did noble work years ago. You
did ii when the great problem was to be
solved. Then you went TO the front,
risked your lives and went in to decide the
questions. There were many questions
then-p0ltics, religion and social ques-
tions-but they are now set aside. There
was the one great question of the man of
labor, and whether or not this republic
was TO exist.
Colonel Smedberg said few words.
after which Postmaster Backus spoke of
the social times. He then called upon
Governor Saunders of Nebraska to say
something.
old gentleman rose and at once apologiZed
for not being military man. He said he
had fallen among the Philistines. but
military disc pine went after all. Then
the speaker dived into the recesses of his
memory and found that he might lay some
claim to military honors, because he, too.
was once under arrest
at was when | was Governor" he said,
land young officer met me when | ar
rived somewhat early at station. This
officer explained that he expected me. but
not SO soon. He was instructed tc fire
sixteen guns on my arrival, but had sur
prised him. So he begged of me to 90
back and arrive again, so that he might
faithfully execute his commands. ! pro-
tested, but he was obdurate, and | had the
greatest difficulty in ultimately securing
my freedom, as they were about to escort
me across that awful river sgain." The
speaker concluded by saying that the
other States, no doubt, had the blood, but
his part of the country held the money,
and ii was better so. stop at Omaha on
your way back and you'll be entertained" :"
he said.
Ex-Congressman General Thomas Ewing
beautiful California climate OF last Sun
day and had caught a cold. But he didn't
mind thai, he was glad to be where he
was. After remarking that he was driven
to New York to get nut of politics in Ohio.
the speaker backed tn the civil war and the
cause OF the eXtirpation of the struggle
slavery. "The distance between New
York and here is great" he said, but
between those far-nff coasts there is the
tie of great and honorable service"
Postmaster Backus spoke of Abe Lincoln
and his tragic death, twenty-nine years
ago, after which General Stetten of Chi
cago spoke for all parts of the country.
why do Californians, when they be-
come rich, send to Europe for fabrics,
dresses. jewelry and such tomfooery? /
TIL you now that the American makes a
fool of himself in Europe. And your eli
mate. ahl Encourage visitors here. Bring
$4,000 to $4,000 people here every winter,
and YOU put so many millions In your
pockets without providing aughI else but
climate"
Adjournment for refreshments and
cigars.
Then Colonel Christiansen of Missouri
said he, was pleased with California. He
just m issed being a '49er by being rescued
by an irate parent when about tn emigrate
al 10 years of age. But he got here later,
and the world had gone very we'll since.
Judge Ranney of Ohio said he was proud
to be somewhat related TO the guest OF the
evening, as General Miles had espoused a
Cleveland lady, He himself had thought
once of going TO Europe, but hao changed
his mind and concluded TO come to Call
fornia instead. He called upon others to
do likewise.
at this juncture Colonel Charles A.
Sumner arose and made truely great
speech. In the most eulogstic terms he
alluded to the guest of the evening. and
spoke of miitary force as a not only bene-
ficlal, but necessary element. "CiviIians
make rules" said he, "but we require
military force and disclpline to see that
they are carried out" The speaker wished
General Miles every success on his travels
and speedy return 10 the shores of tue
Pacific.
In humorous vein Colonel Sumner
danced from one to another of the assen :
bled guests. He spoke pretty things
about the veteran Governor of Nebraska,
and, referring to Massachusetts, said he
originated there. ''It's good State to be
born in and to emgrate from" The
speaker welcomed General Ewing as hay-
ing preferred private practice in New
York to the acceptance of Office in Ohio.
To General StettIn the speaker referred
with a reminiscent pathos, as one who
had been there. He spoke of early days
and the crossing of the plains and the
giving, as acting commissary, of many a
haartv meal and drink IN atna ciatsd an o.