The times., 1897-05-24

Tie Union Veteran Legion held memo
the Metropolitan NJ E. Church at O'Clock
last evening.
The surviving members of the legion oc-
cupied seats near the front of the church,
while the remaining pews and the galleries
were filled with large assemblage OF per-
sons.
The church was hung with the national
colors, and the altar was decorated with
flags and bunting. Tie pulpit was draped
with large American flag and stands ar
ranged on both sides OF the platform upon
which were large floral desi gns of lilies and
roses. The back part OF the platform was
adorned with large palms and ferns. In
the background. on an elevated plane, Were
four vacant chairs draped In black, IN
honor OF the deceased comrades of the
legion during the past year, ard ON the
left were tablets in memory OF Grant and
Logan
Gen Cyrus Bussey was the presiding
officer OF the day, and occupied a seat In
the center. Others on the platform were
Rev DR. L. T. Townsend, of Boston; Rev.
Dr. Hugh Johnston, Col. Byron w. Bon
ney, Lieut.. Col. Isaac B. Thatcher, Ma ior
John f. Stewart, Adjutant Orville D.
Thatcher, Rev Ira Brashears, chaplain,
and Peter Hayes officer OF the day
The services were opened by an anthem
by the choir. Gen. Cyrus Bussey followed
with a few appropriate remarks, stating
the object OF the assembly. He said the
objects of the order are, first. the cultiva-
tion OF trne devotion TO American govern
ment and institutions; second, the moral,
social aud intellectual improvement of its
members and their relief and the relief
of their widows and orphans in sickness
and distress: third, the preservation Of
friendly relations among those who fought
for the safety OF the American Union: and,
fourth, by the personal example and iuflu
ence OF its members, to perpetuate the
three great principles OF fraternity, char
ity and patriotism, and TO promote the in
terests of humanity
The opening ceremony was conducted
by Col Byron W Bonney, and consisted
of a reading of the ritual, which was fol-
lowed 10y feTvent prayer by the chap
lain, Rev. Ira Brashears.
The roll of honor was read by the adj
jutant, Orviile D. Thatcher, and was re-
sponded to by the mmfIed sound of drums
Ma. John +. Stewart, then crowned
the three vacant chairs with wreaths Of
laurel in honor Of the deceased comrades
william B. Pratt, william c. Carroll and
David e. PurInan. He also laid wreath
OF laurel upon fourth vacant chair in
honor of the patriotic women of the war.
The address OF the evening was de-
nvered by Rev. DR.. l. I. Townsend, of
Boston. He told the Story of the Citi-
zen Soldier of America" and said la
part: We are not assembled here TO
show VeneTation to the warriors of an
iquity, uor 10 ecclesiastical patTiarchs.
nor to the haraolis, the Caesars, nor TO
a Napoleon. We are here to do honor to
the citizen soldier OF America Our free
institutions ale the result Of a well Ieg1-
lated and masculine spiIit, and is a re-
suit OF the labors OF men used to military
warfare. And as we look back we can
hardly realize that Just thirty years ago
tonight was the evening before the death
of Col Ellsworth. Forty years ago the
South was playing its part with cOnsum-
mate skill, in cultivating the military
spirit; The North was engrossed more with
the cares of business, and was hGgging
the silly idea that the era of warfare was
at au end.
We men that met in conflict at Gettys-
burg were not personal enemies, but were
contending as result of conflicting princi-
pies, and each was conscientious in the
beliefs and theories. IL was a conflict Of
experience and skill against equal ex-
perience and skill. Each man fought as
though the destinics of the hour were
hanging on his swords point Victory
came quicker than any one expected. God
had ordained it. Then came peace and
that peace is one Of the greatest ruarvels
the world has ever seem
He said that it was fitting that the
veterans had assembled in the church
to honor the departed dead: fitting
union of the church and the military-car-
rying US back to the ancient days W hen the
sword and the altar were firm and peare-
ful allies
Rev. DR.. Hugh Johnston, then delivered
brief address. He said it was an honor
to assemble here tonight in honor Of the
deceased veterans, where Grant and Logan
attended church, and that he was glad
W tAbS4tu " sAiCLi dPpiCeietiOh VA tlO
noble brotherhood honored as good soldiers
of their nation, and who have lived TO see
the triumph of the principles they de-
Tended for the union of States, hearts and
hands.
The benediotion was offered by the chap
lain, and was followed by the taps sounded
by the bugler. During the evening the
choir sang the following: ''The Vacant
Chair,'' and 'Tenting Tonight on the Old
Camp Ground" and the congregation sang
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