Evening star., 1902-09-04
PRESIDENT ACCEPTS
Will Review the Parade of
Veterans October 8.
RESPONSE RECEIVED
QUESTIONS REGARDING CoNTRI-
BUTTONS TO EXPENSE FUND.
W. W. Births Tribute to Gen. Scott
and the Part he Played
in War.
RESPONSE RECEIVED


vitation to review the parade of veterans
to occur during the forthcoming encamp-
ment Of the G. A. r., on Wednesday, Oc-
tober s, as is indicated in two letters, of
which copies have been sent to encampment
headquarters by Gen. Ell Torrance, COM
mander- -in-chief of the Grand Army.
The letter of invitation dated Mime
apolis, August %, was signed by Gen. Tor
rance as the commanding officer of the G.
A. r. and read in part as follows:
II have the honor to extend to you most
cordial invitation to review with me the
annual parade of the Grand Army of the
Republic, to take place in Washington, d.
c., on Wednesday, October next.
The occasion promises to be one of more
than ordinary interest, and surviving veter-
ans of the civil war look forward with un-
usual satisfaction to the special pleasure 1t
will give them not only to march in review
before you. but to have the inspiration of
your presence and an opportunity afforded
them to manifest the respect and affection
in which they hold the chief executive Of
the nation
President Roosevelt replied through Pri-
vate Secretary George B. Cortelyou, as fol-
lows:
Your favor of the 23d instant has been
received. and in reply the President re-
quests me to say that he accepts with much
pleasure your cordial invitation to review
with you the annual parade of the Grand
Army of the Republic, which is to take
place in Washington, d. c., on October 8,
with assurances that the compliment i'm
piled by this invitation is warmly appre-
ciated."
Contribution to Encampment Fund.
A letter received this morning from Mr..
Victor G. Bloede of Baltimore, gave the
officers of the executive committee great
deal of pleasure. Mr.. Bloede said among
other things:
Some time ago our firm was solicited by
one of the officers of the Grand Army en-
campment for contribution to defray the
expenses for the encampment this fall The
gentleman was not known to me personal
ly, but advised me that If 1 preferred doing
So l might send the contribution to you.
l therefore take pleasure in enclosing you
my personal check for 500 for the benefit
of the fund, with the best wishes for
great success"
This letter suggests some questions that
have arisen as to- how the contributions
might be made for the encampment fund.
Chairman Warner referred to thess imme-
d1ately after reading Mr. Bloedes letter
and asked that the newspapers announce
that contributions would be received either
by the chairman of the executive commit
tee, No. 14O5 New York avenue. or by Mr.
Clarence F. Norment, treasurer of the com
mlttee, at the same address.
Tribute to Gen. Scott.
DR.. Marcus Benjamin, chairman of the
special subcommittee on the marking of
historic spots, has received from Mr. w w.
Birth an essay on General Winfield Scott
and the part he played in the history of
Washington just before the war of the re-
bellion. In the course of that paper Mr.
Birth says:
The deeds and deserts of that courageous
and eminent soldier, Winfield Scott are
a
on file among the public archives, but a
majority of the people have either forgot
ten them or purposely keep his merits and
very distinguished services to his country
In allegiance. This is very unjust and very
unWlse- The memory of deeds such as
those In which he was a prominent partici-
pant should not be passed over in silence
when references are made to acts of mag
nificent daring in defense of our country's S
rights.
Consider the particulars and results at
the battle of Lundy's Lane in the war with
England In the years 1S12-1S14. In the heat
of the fight. at a very critical moment his
superior officers We're wounded and borne
off the field, and he with ball-shattered
arm held In a sling, took control of the
troops, and. sword in hand amidst thickly
flying missiles, led the men to victory and
his bravery was instantly recognized by his
country. and its authorities gave him de-
served promotion
Witness his continued successes in the
war with Mexico. A short siege and bonn
! bardment of Vera Cruz subdued that
strongly fortified city, and victory succeed
ed victory In rapid succession under his
sklllfui management and direction. At the
National Bridge, at Chepultepec at Churu-
busco, at the narrow roadway leading to
the Gate of Belcu entrance to the CITY Of
Mexico, into and through that city, fight
ing IN the streets against the enemy on the
housetops, carrying all before him and his
brave officers and men, until victory was
secured Then at the post established be-
yond the city, debating and securing ad-
Vantageous terms of peace.
In the Civil War.
See his conduct when the civil war came
upon us. His headquarters We're in this
city, at the northwest corner of D and 9th
streets northwest, or in the sometimes call
ed Webster House adjoining the Police
Court on the east side Colonel Robert r.
Lee was his principal aid in constant at
tendance, and when that officer notified his
general or his intended resignation Of mis-
commission in the army of the United
States. and by implication the acceptance
OF the command Of the army of the south
ern states, aiming to disrupt the Union,
| the old patriot. though himself southern
born, refused to let that fact ALLEVIATE him
from the country that elevated him to the
supreme command Of its armies and plead
ed with Lee to consider his obligations to
camp, who had fully demonstrated his ca
pacity at one of the strongest forts out
side the City of Mexico by Volunteering to
obtain information as to Churubusco's g
strength or weakness. making a night cir
cult of the stronghold. enabling Scott to
| plan for the next days fight and rout the
| enemy Lee declined to change his pur-
| pose, and when he had withdrawn General
Scott in his letter Of information to the
| Secretary stated that the loss to the coun-
| try was equal to S5,OOO.OOO. and he did not
overestimate. The ability of Lee has always
been conceded, and the long continuance
or the war was evidence of the fact
| The wise old man. General Scott whose