The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-09-05
WAS THE LOYAL LEGION'S RATIFT-
CATION OF COMPANION CLARK
SONS NEW HONOR.
GEN. BR0OKE'S SHARP SHAFTS
ARE GRACEFULLY PARRIED BY
THE GUESTS OF THE JOYOUS
OCCASION.
MAJ. GARRISON AND OTHERS
Tell How 1t All Happened. and How
Glad They Are to Have 1t
Happen.


thoroughly informal Publication at the
headquarters of the Loyal Legion in
the Ryan annex last evening, at which
COMMUNICATIVE Chief Clarkson was the
central figure and the lion of the hour.
The reception was rendered the new
commander in honor of his election
yesterday morning The very uncon-
ventional tone of the affair was its
chief attraction. and Commander
Clarkson appeared highly elated at the
genuineness of the welcome he re-
ceived.
Gen. John r. Brooke, U. S. A., Off
ciated in the capacity Of POSTMASTER.
and no one will accuse him of lacking
wit. He made several sharp sallies in
introducing the speakers of the wen
ing. Nearly all of the eminent men of
the encampment were present, those
who were not having either been de-
layed or left the city.
AT the head of the line of tables,
which were scattered with delightful
irregularity about the big room, sat
ex-Commander-in-C Chief Walker. with
Gen. Brooke on his right, and Past
commandments John p. Rea on
his left, with other men prominent in
the council of the g. A. R. and Loyal
Legion scattered about In introduce
ing the new commander, Gen. Brooke
paid him a tribute The assembled
companions greeted the commander by
rising to their feet
Commander-in-Ch Clarkson said.
'"There is nothing which so deeply
touches my heart as the greeting and
welcome of a soldier. No one can ex-
plain it's wealth of sentiment. or ac-
count for it's genuineness, who has not
felt it's awakening fires. There is
something in this bronze badge we
wear, and in this button of red, white
and blue which unites us in a common
bond. 1t signifies that we passed
through the valley of the shadow Of
death side by side; that we entered the
jaws Of hell with our elbows touching;
that we suffered trials and fluctuations
without complaint, risking our all to
keep Old Glory flying. 1t is because
we rislxed our lives in a common cause.
There is something beautiful in this
comradeship. I find much exultation
in being elected the commander-in-
chief of this great body Of 100000 men,
=,
strove to maintain the unity Of the
states, and place America upon the
highest pinnacle. But cannot tell you
of the feeling of responsibility, and the
weight of the burden which has fallen
upon my shoulders. You, my COM
panions and comrades, are going down,
down, down the hill of life. Many of
you are striving to secure the meager
III toI, t., & =
one of our greatest objects Is to assist
you. I feel confident that shoulder to
shoulder, we shall pass through the
coming year to still greater results.
You WILL I know, assist me in bearing
the responsibility. I thank you from
the bottom of my heart for the honor
you have conferred upon me-"
Commander Clarkson spoke with evil
dent feeling, and several times his
voice grew husky from emotion.
The Modoc quartette took away the
mournfulness by starting a rollicking
song, eve Believe You, Just Now"
Ex-Department Commander Cum
mings, of Pennsylvania, told the story
of the election of Commander Clark
son; said it was largely the result of
the favor Of the Quaker state. while
Pennsylvania recognized the great
services of Admiral Meade, and the
debt the country owes to the navy, we
decided after considering all the cardi-
dates for nearly three hours in caucus,
that Comrade Clarkson would best
subserve the interests Of the Grand
Army, and we decided to vote for him
as unit. His years work will inure
greatly to the benefit Of the order,
and we pledge him the loyal support
of every veteran in the department of
Pennsylvania"
At this point, Gen. Brooke picked up
a bottle of rye from the table, and eye
ing it silently for a moment said:
'This is the water upon which none
Of our companions present tonight was
brought 1t is the water of the
Monongahela, which has done so much
to enlighten the world. 1t is Monon-
gahela rye. I take pleasure, gentle
men, in introducing to you Past De-
partment Commander Hazard, who
was reared near the place where this
water flows"
Commander Hazard came right
back at the general with a story which
went to prove that the latter knew
something about the wonderful waters
himself.
Il remember once when Gen. Brooke
was in Pittsburg stopping at the ho-
tel He went into the buffet and, in
that great, dignif1ed way of his, asked