Evening star., 1898-08-26
Reception to Gen. Dyrenforth by
Union Veterans Union.
INSPIRING ADDRESSES and MUSIC
COLLATION. Provided by the Ladies'
Auxiliary Associations.
THE PRESIDENTS GREETING

ters, joined hands last night in the recep-
tion and camp fire held at National Rifles
armory in honor of Gen. Robert G. Dyren-
forth, recently elected national command
er-in-chief of the first named society. Pa
triotism and love of country and esteem of
the new commander entered into the enthu-
siasm of the evening. War songs inspired
many of the grizzled old soldiers in remem-
brance of the thrilling days of the past,
while a collation. served by the ladies affil-
lated with the Grand Army organizations
put end TO the very enjoyable affair
| Baked beans and ice cream, the soldiers
delight, entered largely into the makeup
! of the bill of fare.
The large armory hall was completely
| filled with an audience representative of
I the soldier population of the District. Many
| prominent guests and speakers were pres
ent. The President was confidently expect
| ed, but at the last moment had to decline
| the invitation. Speeches were made by
Gen. Dyrenforth and by Gen. H. L. Street,
! the retiring commander of the Union Vet
| Grams Union, well by a number of
| prominent government officials and others.
| The theme of all was patriotism and con-
| graduation to the new officer Just enter
| ing upon his duties as leader of a great vet
| eran organization. A program of vocal
| lections and martial music by the drum
| corps added to the enjoyment of the large
| assembiaSe of guests.
| to the ha1l.
| Gen. Dyrenforth was escorted from his
| home to the hall by the members of the
| Union Veterans Union and the John B.
| Henderson Drum Corps. MIR. John Middle
| ton, chairman of the committee of arrange
ments. whose work made the reception the
| gala occasion that it was, was in command
| or the escort. Gen. Dyrenforth met with
| an ovation when, alshting from his car
| rage at the armory, he was conducted to
n ne sta
cheer was given as he proceeded up the
| long aisle Followi- lie escort larg. del
esalon from the q. A. X. posts of the city
MED IN and were given seats reserved for
them Encampment No. 6q Un:ol Veteran
| Legion, also sent a large delegation. The
| members of which were enthusiastically
welcomed.
| Flags and bunting decorated the hall oa1
| lery and stage One immense American en-
sign formed the background setting, and
| IN the center CT the stars and stripes was
large picture of General John A Logan
On the stage We're seated, besides General
| DyrenfoTth and staff, the following: Com
| missioner of Pensions II. Clay Evans Au-
| dltor W. w. Brown of the War Department.
Colonel w. H. Michael. chief clerk of the
| War Department; Charles Z. Lyman, Rev.
| E o. Eldridge, E. S. Parker, the Assistant
| Secretary of Agriculture Joseph Brigham
| General 5 s 4oder, Arthur Hendricks, de-
! partment commander G.. A. R.. and staff:
! DR.. II. NJ. Bennett, General H L. Street
| Surgeon 2. j. MCGrath a. H. Chase Cen
| eral 5. +. Hamilton, Colonel Joseph Sweet
of Baltimore and staff, Col. W. C. Talley,
| the register of the treasury, Judson Lyons,
| and Marion T. Anderson, ex-department
commander, G. A. r.
| Opens With Prayer and Music.
Mr.. John Middleton. chairman of the gen.
| eral committee, called the meeting to order
| and introduced DR.. Eldridge, who Of
| fered a prayer. Mr.. Middleton next in
| troduced Mr.. Samuel s. Stratton, chairman
| of the reception committee, who acted as
| master of ceremonies. In the meantime
the drum and fife corps rendered March
| ing Through Georgia, Dixie" and Yam
| kee Doodle" Mr.. Stratton said he would
| eEdeayor to curtaiI the program of the
| evening much as possible, in order that
| the beans and ice cream down stairs might
| not have to wait too long. He introduced
| General Dyrenforth, the new commander
| in-chicf, as an eX-cor-nissioner of patents.
| Gen. DyrenfortIi's Remarks.
Cen Dyrenforth was second time most
| heartily greeted. After bowling his ac-
| Acknowledgements he said:
| Mr. Chairman and Comrades: I regard
my election to the position of commander
in-chief of the Union Veterans Union as
| the greatest event of my life The emo
| tons in Hy breast on this subject are,
| however, decidedly conflicting. On the one
| hand. my heart ma turally swells with pride
| at being your commander and at the honor
| of this reception. On the other hand, l am
| oppressed with anxiety. in keen recognition
| Of thc obligations and the duties which the
| position in poses. But I pray to our Father
| in Heaven. to the Lord of Hosts, to whom
| all giories are, that l may be inspired with
| lofty and at once sensible and practical
| ideas for the benefit of my comrades, and
| to carry on the good work of your past
| national commander. my immediate prede-
! cessor. mere present
| Then. turning to the audience he con-
| tinued:
! This great assemblage, graced, as it is
| by the presence of some of the most dis
| lii guished men OF the land is an honor
| which may well bring pride to any Amer
| lean, even though he recognize perhaps
| especially when he must recognize, that
| the honor is net individual but is in trib-
| ute to a grand body of men who, in the
| hour of danger, exposed their lives in the
service of their beloved country-frealy Of
| nation might livet
| The Union Veterans Union antasonizes
| none of the other military orders In the
| fullest serse it regards the members of
| those orders as friends. But some If not
| all, CT the ether military orders make a
| point OF declaring that they are in no sense
political-that they have nothing to do
| with politics or elections. We arei We are
| political, and we have to do with elections!
| Ihat is to say. we are not-although we
may lean toward the present administra-
| tlon-We are rot, as a body, republicans:
We are not, as a body, democrats: we do
| not. as body. belong to the picturesque
| party of our distinguished comrade the
| senator from Nebraska. But If any man
| wants an elective otfice-if any man wants
| to be a constitutional adviser of the Presi-
| dent-if any man would like to be In posi-
| ton. as being member of the House of
| Representatives. to drop in, in a neiehborly
| way. at almost any time. and help the
| President out with good advice, and show
| him how to make his administratio a
| commanding success by appointing the ad-
| Y'sers friends TO office-that man must not
! be unfrendly Indifferent to the soldier.
particularly to the battle soldier.
| Strength of the Order.
| This organization, this order of battle
soldiers and sailors-that is of genuine
| fghters-numbers some G5 600 members
| which, with the Woman's Veteran Relief
Union, an auxiliary body of noble women
and with the brothers and the sons and the
sisters and the daughters (and by mention
of the sisters and daughters desire to in
| dicate the beneficent influence of the wo-
man of America), is immense power, and
the order is growing to an extent that can
only be limited by the number of surviving
battle veterans of the death struggle for