The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-05-01
HEVETERANS' FIRM STAND
To Fight for Their Right to Hold
Government Positions.
General Dyrenforth Outlines the
Policy of the L. v. IA CcIebrn-
ton of the First Anniversary of
the Green Clay smith Regiment.

Policy of the L. v. IA CeIebrn-
the Green Clay smith Regiment.
The first anniversary of the organiZa
ton of the Gen. Green Clay Smith Regi-
ment. No. II. Union Veterans Union, was
celebrated last evening at the Maccabee
Temple. A number of distinguished Off
cials of various veteran organizations
were present.
Col. c. f. Noske called the assembiage
to order and Brig. Gen. c. II. Worven,
Senior Vice Commander of the Depart
ment of the Potomac, u. V. L.. was in
troduced as the presiding officer Of the
evening. Mrs. Marie Theresa Bedding
pronounced the Invocation and sang
America the opening number on the
programme. brief address by Gen. A.
NJ. Legg was followed by a piano duet
rendered by Mrs. Hazard and Mrs. Eber-
ly. Other addresses were made during
the evening by Gen. r. C. Dyrenforth,
Commander-in-Chi u. V. T., and Gen.
b. F. Bingham. Senior Vice Commander
Department of the Potomac. G. A. r. Vo-
cal solos were rendered by Comrades VIII
liam Cummings and George c. Noble.
recitation was rendered by J. S. Nowles,
the regiment. REGULATIONS were also given
by Comrade George L. Hulse and Mr.. Sc
lale
General Dyrenforth in his address de-
clared that the L. V. L.. while entertain
ing only the kindliest sentiments to ward
the exConfederates, opposed itself to the
perpetuation of the ideas for which the
rebellion contended by the organization
of eX-Confederate societies to foster the
memories Of the so-called lost cause"
Continuing. he said in part:
while we are most of us members of
the Grand Army of the Republic, our order
has different functions from that great
and glorious organization The difference
between the Union Veterans Union and
the Grand Army may by legal symbol
he defined by the difference between equi-
ty and law, equity being intended to cor
rect that in which the law, by reason of
its universally, Is deficient. But, where
equity is silent, or there is conflict, the
law obtains. By a military smile, the
difference may be defined as that the
Union Veterans Union is the fighting con-
tingent: il is orga to do actual bat
tie with the politicians for the Grand Ar
my of the Republic and for all honorably
discharged Union veterans of the war of
the rebellion. The Union Veterans I'm
ion is the fighting contingent; 1t is, so to
speak, the infantry and cavalry of the
line. in lire of battle, the teeth and claws
of the Grand Army and of the Union vete-
ing alert and on the watch to do battle
for the Union veterans of the war and the
widows and orphans of departed com
rades.
There is no antagonism between the
Union Veterans Union and The Grand
Army. or any other military organization.
We are Grand Army men for Grand Army
purposes and Union Veterans Union men
for those and something more. There is
absolutely perfect harmony between the
Union Veterans Union and the Grand Ar
my: We should never forget the kindness
and announcement shown us by dear old
Stone and by brave old Bingham.
Let nue. say again that the Union Vet
Grams Union is organized to do political
work in the interest Of the union vet
eran of the war of the rebellion. The
Union Veterans Union is not the tail to
any party's kite. 1t is not as a body
Req blican; it is not as a body Demo-
is, to a man, for the man who
is practically for the interest of
the Union veteran, of the war
of the rebellion. and is against him
who is antagonistic or merely in
different to his interests. Some of these
fellows think that the Union veteran is
a back number and that he can be treat
ed with neglect or contempt. Well. |
think l can show you this evening that
some of these fellows will find themselves
totally mistaken.
1T is q matter of no Importance to us
whether comrade belongs to this order
or not; we are for any honorably-dis-
charged Union veteran of the war of the
rebellion, or the widow or orphan of any
good comrade, whether he belongs to this
order or to some other military order, or
to no military order. We are organized in
to regiments and brigades. and propose to
have companies or squads composed OF
our men. their sons and grandsons, their
sons-in-law and nephews and their
friends, in each election precinct and
hereafter, not only in the matter OF
Federal positions but for State. county.
and municipal positions. the man who
periled his life that the nation might
live must be recognized"
Later in the evening General Dyren-
forth again addressed the audience brief
ly, announcing his endeavor to obtain an
order directing that the position of skilled
laborer in Government employ be remO.-
ed from the exactions of the Civil Ser
WIG examinations