Evening star., 1898-11-19
GIVEN A RECEPTION.
Commander strattan the Guest of the
Union Veterans Union

The steady downpour of rain last night
cid not prevent the members of the Union
Veterans Union from turning out in full
force to do honor to their new department
commander. Gen S. r. Strattan. The tes-
tlmonial took the shape of reception in
Massabces Hall, and a large gathering, in
Guiding members Of the order and the wiye.;
and daughters Of the veterans was present.
The hall was prettily decorated, national
colors. of course, predOmnating Cornrade
John E. Macham acted as chairman. and a
program of interesting exercises was rem
dered-
The principal address was delivered by
Gen. r. G. Dyrenforth, the commander-in-
chief of the order. who spoke at considera-
Bile length. In the course of his remarks
he said:
Il am happy to greet our conrade, Sam
uel r Strattan. as commander of the de-
partment of the Potomac of the glorious,
order of actual battle men, for | know that
under his guiding hand this department will
flourish and become one of the larger de-
partments of the union. But how does the
mon Veterans Union U wish it were
known by the more graphic designation of
Order of Union Battle Men)-how does this
order OF energetic defenders insure the wei
fare of its comrades2 BY singIeness of mr.
pose the purpose being solely and alone the
interest OF the E1an who battIed for the
Union and by unity of action We want 10
Insure just attention 10 the rights of the
veteran Union soldier on the part of those
VINO can accord those rights, and so we will
make his political life depend upon the ms
nee or his action to the soldier. We have.
IN no sense. any antagonism to the Grand
Army. We are Grand Army men for its
purposes and Union Veterans Union mon
for something more
The real foundation of our order is OK
pressed In the word comradeship Ii is the
true the sincere. the uudying sentiment
a f.r
stood by our side in battle, who toiled with
US on the weary and thirsty marches who
froze with us in winter. and who struggled
along with US under d burning sun in sun,-
mer. who had but one object one thought
final victory for our beloved country No
man who las not had a comrade of this
Kind can have the least conception of the
real feeling which one comrade has for an
other. Now and hereafter the comrades Of
the Union Veterans Union are one and in
divisibie My friend shall be thy friend
thine enemy is also mine enemy
Addresses were also made by S s. Yoder
John McElrOy, ex-comma ndeF of the G. A
r.; b s Block. commander Post No / G.
A r.; DR.. ]. NJ. Raute, junior vice com,
niander, G- A r.; ex-Commander Joseph
Sweet, Department Potomac, L. V u OF
Baltimore; First Deputy E. A Feathers. u
v T.; Rev. DIR. Lucien Clark; Col e A
tenton, assistant adjutant general. L. "
y; Mr., Byron Andrews, F. o. McLeary and
Levi Maish Misses Smith, Farrell and
Feathers and Mrs Noble the Burke family
ard MI George c. Scott rendered musicaL
selections. and recitations were given by
Mss Hl@c-s-"ne and Mr.. brennan. The en-
tire asseInbIage sans America" in closins
the evening entertainment.
The Baltimore deieg@ttJn extended tc
Commander Stratten a written Invitation
from A. w. Dodge Post, G. A r., of Balti
more. to be present and make an address
AT the unveillng of a monument in the Ma
tiOnal Cemetery. Louden Park, Thunksgiy.
ing day, which was accepted.