Evening star., 1902-02-24
Washington Light Infantry
Celebrates Goth Anniversary.
PROMINENT GUESTS
EVENT IN THE HISTORY
OF THE CORPS.
Addresses by Gen. Miles, representa-
tive Otey, Gen. Harries and Others
COMMITTEES In Charge,


the army Of the United States. Representa-
tive Otey Of Virginia, Representative Irwin
of Kentucky. Commander Lucien Young of
the United States navy and Gen. George H.
Harries, commanding the District Of Co.
iumbia militia, and the members Of his
staff among the guests Of honor, the
Washington Light Infantry Corps cele-
brated the sixty-sixth anniversary Of its
organization in a brilliant and thoroughly
enjoyable manner Saturday evening. The
affair took the form of a Washington's
birthday banquet and was held in the spa
cious armory Of the corps, at 18th and e
streets. It was perhaps the most notable
event in the organizations history of So
cial and military successes and always will
be pleasantly recalled by those whose good
fortune it was to be in attendance. .
The hall was appropriately decorated for
the occasion, the walls. ceiling and pillars
by flags and bunting. Five long tables were
In position. four Of them-one each Tor the
four companies Of the battalion-befng
which was allotted to the presiding officer
and the guests. The commissioned officers
of each company sat at the heads OF the
respective company tables. An orchestra
was stationed directly in rear of the center
of the guest table, The tables were be-
decked with potted plants.
The invited guests were received by
special committee and made welcome In
the officers room Later they formed in
column of twos and were escorted to the
drill hall, where the places at the company
tables had already been taken. the mem
bers Of the command remaining standing
until the guests had been seated. General
Miles did not put In an appearance until
later in the evening. The welcome extend
and must have been gratifying. AS the head
of the army passed through the entrance
doorway the entire assemblage arose.
waved napkins and literally shouted itself
three cheers for General Miles were pro-
posed. and they were given with hearty
good will.
Welcomed the Guests.
The banquet was opened by Lieut.. Col.
Burton r. Ross. who briefly welcomed the
guests. An hour was then devoted to the
discussion of an entirely satisfactory menu.
When coffee had been served Lieutenant
Colonel Ross. the toastmaster. raped for
order and explained that Senator Mason.
who had promised to respond to the toast.
"The Day We Celebrate, had been un
avoidably detained. The toastmaster called
on Representative Otey to speak In the
place Of the absent senator. The speech Of
the representative from Virginia was a
dotes OF the civil war, the speaker having
served as an officer of the confederate
army. He was frequently interrupted by
applause, and when he resumed his seat
was cheered to the echo.
Gen. Harries, the next to take the floor,
was introduced as man who had risen from
the grade OF sergeant to the command OF
the militia Of the District Of Columbia His
toast was "Our Commander-in-Chief, the
President Of the United States
To the Commander-in-Chief.
Gen. Harries said in part:
"a great and striking personality has this
commander-in-chief. He is a real leader of
real men. The counterfeit article Is he who
marches at the head of the column, intent
only on maintaining his position and going
in the direction In which the column de-
sfres to move. Here we have, however,
leader who leads, and those who would fol-
low him close enough to keep him in full
view must move with uncommon speed.
Those who would be near him in the strife
must needs be physically sound, mentally
alert and blessed with the true courage.
"He has sometimes disconcerting way,
has this commander-in-chief,o Of speaking
the thought which at the moment of speech
Is uppermOst In his mind, and he has been
known to strike straight from the shoulder
when that which we term policy would
have suggested action less forcible. It Is
this quality, the theory and practice and
spirit OF the fighting man, which endears
him to the nation and to vast number of
Americans who are properly regarded as
antagonistic to the policies of the party
whose leader he is
Behind this evenly developed and pub
deserving pugnacity is courage Of the sort
which owes much Of it's origin and growth
to conscience 1t Is the courage which be-
longs to high character the courage
which moves on plane far above the bru-
tai force OF vulgar heroes, the courage
which, being both physical and moral pre-
sents our commander-in-c chief to the world
as one of its truly great men.
LAS to the comparative merits of admin
istrative methods, let the politicians fight
that Is a large part of their business; but
let us devote ourselves to the upbuilding
of our share of the great national organiza-
ton that we may, whether the test comes
in peace or in war, be found worthy of our
community and of the man of whom 1 have
been asked to speak-President Roosevelt"
Receives an Ovation.
When General Miles arose in response
to a glowing Introduction by the toastmas-
ter he was compelled to wait several min
utes for the renewed demonstration to sub
side. General Miles spoke of "The Army"
He related number of interesting stories
and took occasion to declare that there is
no more inspiring and noble company than
the soldiers of America. The American
soldier is the greatest of soldiers. accord
ing to General Miles, and the greatest of
American soldiers was George Washing
ton.
Others who responded to toasts were
Commander Young, Representative Irwin,
who paid a graceful tribute to the women
of Kentuck. and Sergeant Major Ennis
Of the Light Infantry. Musical and comic
specialties and solos, which were fully en-
toyed were contributed by Messrs. Floyd
Featherstone, G. F. Burt, Mat Kennedy,
AL Cameron. John Rogers and Bert Leslie
Service Medals Presented.
During the evening General Harries on
behalf of the corps, presented service med
ais to the following. the terms ranging
from that of thirty years. rendered by
Lieutenant Colonel Ross. to the six years
of Lieutenant Allison: Lieut.. Col B. R.
Ross, Capt e. w. Zea First Lieut.
Charles r. Luce. surgeon: Maj. S. Porter
House. Second Lieut. William E. Brown,
First Sergt. John T. Burdine, First. Sergt
w. w. Chase. First Sergt. r. Carey
Brown. First Sergt. Isaac r. Padgett,
First Lieut.. A. M. Allison.
Certificates of attendance were awarded
to Capt. 8. Porter House. Capt. William E.
Dix. Capt ]. 8. Robinson, First Sergt.
Walter A. Hall. First Sergt r. Carey
Brown, Sergt. w. G. Newmeyer Corp p
L. Woodbridge. Corp. Hugh Zea and Corp.
Michael Biany. they having been present
at every assembly Of their respective COM
panies during this last year.
In addition to those mentioned the
guests present included a number of the
veteran members of the organisation and
Col Henry May. Lieut. Corcoran and Lieut..
Williams of the Alexandria Light Infan-