Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-16

Miles is n-chief. The hall was
filled to overlooking, by $50 o'clock
there was not even standing room. Dis
played prominently on the stage, surround
ed by flags and bunting, and encased in a
golden frame, was large portrait of Cen
Miles. About this honored centerpiece sat
officers Of the District of Columbia Corps.
Spanish War Veterans, members of the
Grand Army and distinguished guests of
the command
To the stirring strains of "The Star Span
gled Banner by the orchestra, the recently
elected officers were installed by Major
Fred. s. HOdgson, who had been designat-
ed as installing officer by Col. NJ. E. Uren,
corps commander The officers insta ed
were: Captain, Charles w. Parker, COM
mander Te-electeD; first lieutenant, VIII
liam F. Ullrich re-elected); second lieu
tenant, Mayer b. Dodek tre-electedJ; chap
lain, Isaac N. Dolph; sergeant of the guard,
John H. OBrien: musician, Luther Smith,
trustees, J. Walter Mitchell and Virgil G.
Williams; quartermaster, L. c. Dyer; adj
jutant, Rufus w. Pearson.
While the band rendering 1.-The Blue
and the Gray" Capt. L. c. Dyer and Mr..
J. T. Wilkinson, the latter bearing
suspicious-looking package, proceeded to
the platform, and. taking Capt. Parker on
both TANKS Informed him that they had
solemn duty to perform. The captain, taken
by surprise, discreetly surrendered to the
attacking party. In few remarks Capt.
Dyer informed the commander that his
comrades of Gen. Nelson A Miles Com
mand had delegated him to say that, ap-
preciating his fidelity to the members of
the organization, and to indicate to him the
esteem in which he Is held by his COM
rades. they had prepared a little surprise
for him. which they hoped would be a
staff to him in his declining years and a
reminder of the friendship Of his fellow
boys in blue. At this point Mr. Will
kirson disclosed the contents of the pack
age, ebony cane, with a handsomely
carved gold head. on which was engraved:
Gen. Nelson A Miles Command, No. /.
January 10. 1901 Round after round of
applause greeted this disclosure. and after
Capt. Parker had found his voice he thank
ed the boys from the bottom of his heart"
and said he would treasure the gift the
proudest and most valuable of his posses
sions.
Welcoming Address.
On behalf of the command, Capt. Parker
then welcomed the guests. He said:
1T Is indeed a pleasure for the members
of Nelson A. Miles Command to welcome
you here tonight. We are at all times glad
to see our friends, but tonight we're more
than glad. We desired your presence to
help rejoice over the fact that We are
one year old. This is our birthday party.
"A year ago met, and many present
tonight met with us. and in the presence of
the mastering officer appointed by the COM
mander-in-chief of the National Army Of
Spanish War Veterans, with uplifted hands,
took upon ourselves a solemn and binding
obliga ton to uphold the honor and dignity
or Inc JniISO states, 10 De true 10
comrades, to relieve distress wherever pos
sible, and to do our best to carry forward
the spirit of freedom, patriotism and HUI
mainly.
1.-The year has been a memorable one.
We have had our ups and downs. like hun
dreds of other fraternal bodies, but, as a
whole, We have been signally successful.
The report of the adjutant, which will be
read to you. will show something Of these
changes, and more to our present stand
ing During the year We have dispensed
assistance to a large number Of worthy
comrades, many of whom were not members
of our command, or, in fact of the organ
iZation, but all belonged to that grand
brotherhood called veterans
"Some of the seed has been sown on
good ground, and some has fallen amidst
stones and apparently been lost. Some of
the comrades by whom the members of
this organization stood In the day of their
adversely have since apparently forgotten
the kindness shown and there are some
who can plainly be termed ingrates.
But Of these. and like unpleasant topics,
perhaps the least said the better. We are
becoming better acquainted as each meeting
night rolls around, and now are almost like
one family.
"Our exercises this evening will not be
elaborate. For the first time since our
birth we have asked YOU to come in and
play with us, and have not provided lunch
con. Tonight it must be feast OF reason
and flow Of soul. But you will not be
disappointed. Our committee on entertain
speeches and songs from our friends we
hope that you will long remember our first
party in the new century"
Representative Green's Tribute.
Representative Henry D. Green of Penn
sylvania himself a veteran of the war with
Spain. was then introduced to the audience
by Captain Parker. He paid a glowing
tribute to the men of '98 who RESPONDED
to their countrys, call SO promptly and
periodically. and whose response made our
beloved country world power indeed
"Our main reliance in the future" said he
Twill be upon the young veterans of the
Spanish-American war. who welded our ma
ton together IN. the strongest bonds of
comradeship.''
Captain D. v, Chisholm, veteran of
the list District Regiment, was the next
speaker. His remarks were mainly Of. a
patriotic character, but he took occasion
to compliment Miles Command on the
splendid showing It had made.