Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-10-14
BUSINESS MEETING.
Comm missiOner Ross Welcomes the
Union Veteran Legion.

Union veteran Legion.
The business meeting of the Union Vet
eran Legion began this morning at 10
o'clock at Builders Exchange Hall, on
18th street between G and II streets. Long
before that hour accredited delegates to
the convention and members of the Legion
began arriving at the hall, which was
tastefuly decorated with the national
colors, and when National Commander
James called the gathering to order there
were but few vacant chairs in the audi
torium. There were present on the plat
fern, besides the national commander
senior Vice National Commander Norcross
Junior Vice Commander Mckinley, Quar-
termaster General Kremer Adjutant Cen
eral Spooner, Edward Donnelly. J. NJ.
Paver John G. Dimick and w. V. Tuxbury
of the national executive committee on the
state of the legion, and President John W..
Ross of thAboard Of District Commission
ers National Commander James intro.
duoed Mr.. Ross in a few complimentary
words, and the latter was greeted with
great applause. Mr.. Ross welcomed the
visitors in the following words:
Commissioner Ross Welcome.
For the first time in the history of your
organization you meet in annual encamp-
ment in your national capital. Our people
extend to you a cordial greeting. We well
come you for many good and sufficient
reasons. Many of you helped to guard and
protect this capital from armed invasion
more than thirty years ago. l doubt not
that many now here assembled marched
with Shermans veterans upon Pennsyl-
vania avenue IN the spring Of 1865.
You saw then Capitol building with an
unfinished dome city without sewer
age, or street pavements worthy of the
name. and total population not exceeding
5000 souls Property values in Washing
ton were not high prior to your visit at
a
whether there would be united republic
| with its capital city on the banks of the
Potomac, or anywhere else. There was
doubt whether there might not be dozen
small republics with as many capitals each
with an insignificance proportioned to the
| total number. Your valor and your hero
! ism helped to dispel that uncertainty, help
| ed to maintain the integrity of the Union
| of the states, and the permanency of the
federal capital.
why should you not be by us gladly
| and gratefully received. when, after all
| these years, you return to parade again
upon the historic avenue, to revive old
| friendships and to renew your fealty to the
| order which has as its first object the cul-
| tivation of true devotion to American gov
| ernment and Institutions
There is another feature of your organi-
| zation which compels respectful approba-
| ton. AS l understand the rules which gov
ern 1t, not every soldier is eligible for mem
| bership He must have served at least two
| years in the army or navy, in continuous
service, unless discharged by reason OF
| wounds received in the line Of duty, having
volunteered fer term Of two years prio.
to July, 1861, or for a term of three years
| prior to July, 1868. Your membership is
therefore, a guarantee Of the length and
| value of your actual service in the field
Such veteran service to your country in the
! hour of Its direst extremity deserves the
gratitude of your countrymen. Your pres
] ence here today is object lesson OF
patriotism to the youth Of the District OF
| HoI,, ATovy
| of'your visit. and carry away with you the
| most agreeable recollections Of your
| eleventh annual encampment.
| You will pass in review today the Ex.
| ecutive Mansion, and the commander-in.
chief of the army and navy of the United
| States, the honored chief magistrate of the
nation. You will see the great white build
| ing crowning the eastern hill where the
peoples representatives make the laws
which affect the federal rights and duties
Continued on Ninth Page)