Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-17
BADGE PRESENTATION
Ex-CoMMANDER STONE, g. A. r.,
HoNoRED BY COMRADES.
Handsome Souvenir as Testimonial for
Services at Head of the Order
The Speeches.

Of the Potomac and his staff and many
other guests, he was presented with a mag
nificent jeweled badge of the Grand Army
of the Republic. The ceremony of presen-
tation took place in open meeting of George
II. Thomas post, of which Col. Stone Is
member. The post room, in Northeast
Temple, was handsomely decorated with
flags for the occasion. The commander of
the post, Capt Reed, presided assisted by
the president of George H. Thomas Relief
Corps, Mrs. Mamie P. Dorsey. Mrs. Ida
A. Oldroyd, president of the Department of
the Potomac, and members of her staff
We're guests of honor.
The committee on presentation consisting
of Senior Vice Commander Abraham Hart,
Dr. j. r. Hays and George p. Davis, oc-
cupied chairs at the left of Commander
Reed and after the conclusion of business
at headquarters Department Commander
Bingham and his staff, in G. A r. uniform,
were escorted to the platform amid much
enthusiasm
Senior Vice Comma nder Hart presented
the badge. 1t is fashioned after the regula-
ton e. A. r. badge, but is larger and of
solid gold in massive design. The five points
or the star pendant on gold chains set
with pure white diamonds and there
two of the same jewels in the stars on the
rank strap. The triangle of the 4th Corps
in which Col Stone served, depends from
the rank strap by gold chains, and is of
and sapphire. knOtted above this are two
ribbons in gold, on which appear in red
enameled letters the words Department of
the Potomac" On the reverse of the star
Is the inscription reciting that it is pre-
sented to Past Department Commander
stone by the veterans of the department as
a testimonial of regard and affection. 1t is
said that this is one OF the costliest as Well
as one of the most elegant badges ever pre-
scented in this department.
10 49,,
In presenting the badge Colonel Hart said
that it was in no way to be considered a
gauge of the esteem which the Department
Of the Potomac felt for its past commander,
but simply little memento which he might
keep as reminder Of past fraternal reIa-
tons of the most cordial nature Colonel
Hart said that the Department of the Po-
tomac must ever be grateful to Comma nder
Stone for settling, for all time the status of
the soldier of the war of the rebellion as to
order of precedence. He then referred to the
determined stand taken by Commander
Stone 1t the second inauguration of Presi-
dent Mckinley, when he withdrew from all
participation in the parade rather than per-
init the veterans to take other than the
right of the line. He then spoke feelngly
OF the periodically expressed desire of the
President to be escorted by his old COM
rades at that time, and of the fact that the
next time the veterans of the Department
or the Potomac appeared upon the streets
of Washington in a body it was as escort
to their old comrade, who had gone to join
the silent majority.
Colonel Hart then declared that almost
unaided, Commander Stone had been instru-
mental in bringing the national encamp-
ment to Washington. He recited many
other incidents of Commander Stones ad-
ministration, which he declared had set him
even higher than the always high standard
Of the commanders of the Department of
the Potomac.
barrassed and moved by the. fire of praise
that Colonel Hart showered upon him, and
said afterward that he believed it was
eosier to face a shotted gun unmoved than
to be greeted with that sort of lombard
ment. While he was recovering himself
the beautiful emblem just placed in his
hands was pinned upon his breast by Mrs.
Isabel w. Ball, who declared that Kansas
was proud of the honor bestowed upon one
of her brave sons.
Expresses Acknowledgment.
Colonel Stone in response said:
Upon an occasion like this one feels
how inadequate are mere words to fully
represent the feelings of the heart. l am
overwhelmed with your words of COM
mendation for having simply performed my
duty as commander Of this department. 1
am unable to fully express my heartfelt
gratitude, for it not only conveys to me
the usual message of well DONE but there
comes with it added value in a message
of good will from my comrades and the
many kind friends of the Grand Army who
take a just pride in all its doings
THE comrade of the Grand Army who
is selected to be the commander of a post
may well take pride in his preferment but
when selected as department command
er in such a department as this he has
just grounds for being proud of the dis
tincton, and when incidents and occasions
arise which call for the exercises of pat
riotic pride and firmness, tempered with
good judgment which bring about results
that meet the commentator of the com
rades of the order and friends as well,
then one may be justified in feeling exalted
and satisfied with the results of the years
labors.
In accepting this beautiful badge of the
order, handsomely decorated, l receive
your generous praise with very great per-
sonal satisfaction, but in doing this l am
conscious that without the cordial, hearty
and fraternal cooperation of those asso-
clated with me as officers of the depart
ment, and the generous support of the
comrades such satisfactory results would
not have been attained-and much is due
to them.
Il want particularly to thank the COM
mittee and the generous friends who have
made this emblem into such a beautiful
Jewel-one that any member of the order
may well feel proud to possess. | Shall
wear it over heart filled with pride in the
fact that | am a member of the Grand
al my VI tHe IlepuDIlc ana COnSlUGteu
worthy to receive it at your hands.
Ladies Remembered.
To the ladies of Thomas Relief Corps and
the comrades of Thomas Post, who have
made this an occasion for congratulations l
am very grateful and | only hope that in
the days to follow l may still be useful to
my comrades and the dependent ones. 1
want it distinctly understood that after
having received the highest honors at your
hands, l am not henceforth to be consid-
cred drCne in the hive.
ITO the ladies of the relief corps, my
comrades and friends who have seen fit to
follow my course through the year with
words of commentator [ am under many
Obligations for it has strengt hened me to
know that l have measured up to their
standard and kept the banner of this de-
partment upon the high plane established
by my predecessors. | shall look back upon
the year in which | served as Commander
of the Department of the Potomac with
very great pride and satisfa elton, and shall
keep this beautiful badge as the emblem OF
equal rights and national unity Again |
thank you one and all from the bottom of
my heart"