The National tribune., 1901-01-03
UNION SOLDIERS ALLIANCE.
A Unique Organization in washington. D.

A unique organization In washington, d. G.
The Union Soldiers Alliance, of Wash
ington, ID. c., composed of veterans of the
war of the rebellion. in company with nu-
merous distinguished guests, assembled at
the Ebbtt House on the evening of Dec.
-. the occasion being the 22d annual ban
quet of the organization.
This organization is unique, in that it
limits its membership to 100 Union ex-
soldiers. 1t pays a death benefit of $500 to
the widow of 4 deceased member, has five
meetings each year, n collation. ut each
meeting, and general banquet in Dccem-
Der of each year. The order has several
thousand dollars in excellent securities,
and the membership is kept full from list
of many whiting eligible candidates.
more harmonious society, composed of
veterans, does not exist in the United
States, its members being selected with
reference to their military record, social
standing, age and physical condition, and
the organization contains many of the
most distinguished cX-soldiers of the city.
After the company had been seated ut
the tables, Proctor II. NJ Klcmruth en-
tered, bearing the American flag, the entire
assembly rising in salutation. The elabor-
ate menu was then under discussion an
hour and Il half, when cigars We're served
The retiring President, a. s. Tabor,
then proceeded to introduce the officers for
the ensuing year. At this juncture there
was pleasing episode, which did not APP
pear on the programme.
DIR. Andrew j. Huntoon arose, and in q
few well-chOsen words, presented to John
l.. Heupcl, in behalf of the Alliance, and
as an expression of its appreciation of his
valuable services as Secretary for the past
% years, an article known in German as
n stein. 1t was elaborate and beautiful,
and of itself highly pleasing to the recipi-
ent, but on being more closely examined, it
was found to contain 500 in gold. Com
rade Heupel was deeply moved by the tes-
timonial.
In entering upon his duties as President
of the organization, Comrade George G..
Ross delivered a short inaugural, pleasing
in all respects. PoSt-prandial addresses
We're as follows:
The first toast, 1.-The President of the
United States" was responded to by JUS
tice Charles G. Cole, of the Supreme Court
of the District of Columbia, member OF
the order. His address was replete with
information, eloquent and patriotic. He
paid a glowing tribute to the Chief Execu-
tive, declaring that his Administration had
established an epoch in the history of our
country.
Capt. James NJ. Edgar eloquently dis
cussed Our Annual Reunions" following
which was the song. Sword of Bunker
HILL" sung by Comrade George III. Lille
bridge.
Department Commander George II.
Slaybaugh responded in a fine address to
the toast, kindred Organizations" after
which the entire company drank, in 81
lence, n toast To Our Dead" In the abb
sence of Gen. s. S. Burdett, who was I'M
avoidably detained at home, John Neil
roy, editor of THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE,
responded to the toast, Our Country
Though called in an emergency, and speak
ing without preparation, Mr.. McElroy de-
| livered one of the most interesting, instruc-
tive and able speeches of the evening.
The next in order was the response of
Col. Charles z. Lincoln to the toast,
women" This being the third or fourth
time Col. Lincoln had spoken before the
Alliance to this toast, some curiosity was
manifested as to whether he would find
anything new to say on a subject at all
times so interesting The audience was
abundantly satisfied as to the speakers re-
sources, for it listened to an address most
excellent in taste and literary merit.
Col Lincoln is a forceful and influential
campaign speaker, and was recently utll-
lied by the Republican National Commit
tee as & campaign orator in number of
the Western States.
Among the guests who spoke were
Judge Willis Vandevanter, Assistant At
torney- General for the Interior Depart
ment, and +. l.. Campbell, Assistant Sec
rotary of the Interior.
After singing Aud Lang Syne' the
banquet ended at midnight.-A. j. Hun
TooN, Washington, ID. g.