Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-23
EXPRESSES DISAPPROVAL
Commander Of Union Veterans Union Takes
Issue With President Mckinley.
Views of the Proposition to Make the
Confederate Graves Ma
tiOnaI Charge.

In an address Saturday night at an enter
tainment given by the Department of the
Potomac. Union Veterans Union. Gen. r.
G. Dyrenforth, national commander of the
organization, took occasion to criticise the
movement to recognize the confederate
dead by having the government bear the
expense of the care of their graves. The
criticism was taken as an arraignment of
President McKinley's policy as outlined in
his speech at Atlanta. Corporal Tanner,
Thomas S. Hopkins, past grand commander
of the Department of the Potomac, G. A.
r., and Arthur Hendricks, department
commander, declare, in interviews, that
Gen. Dyrenforth's utterances do not reflect
the general opinion of the body of Union
soldiers These gentlemen say there is a
wide difference of opinion in the matter,
but as rule the soldiers uphold the Presi-
dent in all he said on the southern trip.
Gen. Dyrenforth address was made at
Maccabee Temple, on 9th street. The en-
tertainment was opened with prayer by
Chaplain Couden of the House of Repre-
sentatives, after which America was
sung by the audience. Colonel w. +.
Pierce was the first to speak. He said the
Union Veterans Union expected soon to
have a membership of 100000. The union,
he continued. takes great care to elect the
best man commander-in-chief and charges
him with the duty of giving practical ad-
vice.
I'VE go on the theory" the speaker con-
Guided. that the commander of our own
careful choosing can do no wrong, and we
follow his leadership, acting as unit, and
making ourselves d noticeable political fac
tor.
Not Lost in Ecstasy.
General Dyrenforth opened his remarks
by saying the Union Veterans Union is not
lost in ecstasy just now at the seeming at
titude of some in authority, who, We think
should be more thoughtful against opening
the door to coming suggestions of equality
of those who did everything they could to
destroy the Union with those who made
every sacrifice TO preserve it.
No man of their opposing political
party" continued the national commander,
need hope for moment that any condon-
ing of their acts and position will gain him
a single vote among the 'cOrn-feds' nor of
any of their kin. while it may cost him
thousands upon thousands of votes else
where. This order must now stand up for
the rights of its members, or they who did
so much to preserve this Union Will be
placed on an equality, | say again, with
the rebels and copperheads. who did every
thing they could to destroy it. If we DO
not as unit exert force, the old soldier Will
have no preference whatever. | think the
disposition of The day is to obliterate all
distinctions and forgive and forget-that
is. forgive the rebel and forget the Union
soldier. Yea. worse; 1t is to forget the
Union soldier and reward the REBEL
The generals speech was followed by a
song by Mr.. Thomas L. Jones, accompa-
MED by Miss Emma Laura Bishop Chap
lain COuden made a few remarks, saying
he differed with Mr.. Pierce in the matter
of following blindly the lead of the COM
mander politically. General Samuel Il.
Stratton, department commander of the
Union Veterans Union. made a pleasant
little talk. and Miss Louise Farrow gave
a selection on the violin, accompanied by
Miss LeOna Feathers.