Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-23
COM RADE M'KINLEY
The President an Honored Guest at
the Loyal Legion Banquet.
he MAKESA CHARACTERISTIC ADDRESS
Eloquent Patriotic Tribute by Rev.
Dr.. D. J. Stafford.
OTHER STRIKING FEATURES

President William Mckinley, Secretary of
War Elihu Root and a number of other
prominent men were the guests Of honor
at the eighteenth annual banquet of the
Washington Commandery of the Military
Order Of the Loyal Legion, held last night
In National Rifles Hall. During the even
ing the President made a brief address,
Secretary Root responded to the toast tine
Army and Navy of 1S9s-19O0.'' Representa-
tive Pearre and Rev. DR.. D. J. Stafford
also speaking eloquently on appropriate
themes assigned by the postmaster.
The hall was draped in national bunting.
two immense garrison flags being stretched
across the proscenium of the stage at the
southern end, marked in the center by a
large rosette, the insignia of the order.
The tables were prettily decorated.
Brigadier General John NJ Wilson of the
army, commander of the Washington Com
mandery of the Legion, presided and acted
as POSTMASTER Gen. Wilson was presented
with a silken flag to hold in trust for the
commandery. In accepting the charge he
declared that the American flag will live
longer than the ensigns of France, England,
Scotland or Ireland. For he continued,
the lily shall fade, the rose shall
wither. the thistle shall die and the sham
rock perish. but the stars shall endure
forever" Wherever the American flag was
planted 1t should stay He closed amid an
outburst of applause. The orchestra rem
dered THE Star Spangled Banner" Gen.
Wilson then proposed toast ITO the
father Of his country" which was drunk
standing.
DR.. StafOrd's EIOquence.
Rev. DR.. D. J. Stafford first spoke, his re-
Spouse being to the toast, 1.-The spirit of
11I6-Washington a watchword, such as
ne'er shall sink while there's an echo left
to air. Dr. Stafford said during his ad-
dress:
THE ideal basis of government Is that
man has certain rights which are indestruc-
tible. Government does not give them, and
therefore cannot take them away. We are
free because God made us so. The glory
of Greece was the glory of art the
glory of Rome was of war and armies
sweeping onward to conquest but the glory
of America is liberty to all. the guarantee
of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness
The idea originated at a time when the
world was weary under the struggle against
tyranny and oppression. The American rev.
olution was not a revolution, it was rather
a natural, an organic growth. If In the
first struggle there had been failure and
failure again, we would have struggled
again and again until liberty was finally
attained"
While Dr. Stafford was speaking Presi-
dent Mckinley entered the hall. He was
extended an enthusiastic welcome
One Nation, One Flag.
Representative George Pearre of Maryland
responded to the toast, The Heroes of
-1s65-One Flag, One Land. One Heart
One Hand, One Nation Evermore.' His
address was an eloquent tribute to the SOL
diery of the civil war and an apostrophy
to a united country.
President MckfnIey's Remarks.
There were loud calls for Comrade Nc
kinley The President arose, and three
spontaneous cheers were given in his hon
or. He bowed in acknowledgment and
Std:
Comrades and friends: had no thought
in meeting here with you tonight to in
terrupt the interesting program that had
already been fixed for the evening
entertainment, and l only rise now to ex-
press to you my hearty appreciation of
the warm welcome which you have given
me, and the pleasure 1t affords me in
meeting once more with the veterans of
81. l cannot fail to recall in this presence
that 1t was this commandery, the COM
mandery of the District of Columbia. that
installed me years ago a companion in
this organization. 1 have not come to pay
my dues. for j have had no notice that l
am in arrears, but l have come to pay my
respects to my comrades of the civil war
and my companions and supporters in
times Of peace. The Union for which you
fought has been saved, saved by your
your comrades. The Union is stronger,
mightier, more powerful, and freer than
ever before. We are together now, and
the national sentiment stands stronger,
firmer and higher than 1t ever was before.
There has been within the past two
years reunion of all the people around
the holy altar of country newly sancti-
fed by common sacrifice. The followers
Mt and Of M 20, rrla+,
same colors and have fallen for the same
cause, and let us, comrades of the Loyal
Legion, on this, the anniversary of the
birth of the Father of His Country, re-
solve In the language of Lincoln to dedi-
cate ourselves anew to the imperishable
cause which he advanced so far upon its
way and saved the state; as he said at
Gettysburg let us firmly resolve that those
the cause for which they shed their blood
shall never perish from the face of the
EARTH
The Spirit of the Soldier.
In responding to the toast 1.-The army
and navy of 1S9S-19OO' Secretary Root paid
tribute to the valor of the veterans pres
emit and all who fought in the civil conflict
Theirs was the spirit, he declared, which
charged at San Juan and fought at Ell
Caney. And further he said:
mo chieftain, no politician, no Congress
ency, diplomacy, the judgment of states
men was all for peace, but when there oc-
CURED in the harbor Of Havana that shock
ing disaster which cost the lives of so
many Of our gallant sailors. God called for
the army of 1885, The inevitable necessity
Of Gods DEGREES made those who consti-
tuted its ranks go forth. And the results.
Who dreamed that in 1893 we had reached
an epoch which would change the course of
the events Of the world? Who dreamed
that we were to carry liberty and American
law to the uttermost parts of the world?
I call upon you soldiers of 81 to be proud
of your children, not only of their bravery
upon the field Of battle. but in their efforts
to establish liberty, civilization, order and
law, peace, happiness and progress among
those who have fallen to the care of this
nation. These are the soldiers and the
sailors of the army and navy of 1S9S-I9OO."
Those present were the following,
Guests of the commandery-Presiden
William Mckinley. Elihu Root Secretary of
Var; g; A; PeaTre. Rev; D. J. STAFFORD
Brig. Gen. Henry c. Merriam. u g. A.
Members Of commandery-Gen. I. G. Alb
bolt. Col c. H. Alden, Col. c. ]. Allen. MI
C. G. Amy, Maj. H. q. Alvord. Cant NJ