New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-05-31
.SOLDIER PRIEST SPEAKS.
ERAL ADDRESSES METROPOLITAN
OPERA HOUSE MEETING

The Memorial Day evening exercises at the Met
ropolitan Opera House drew large crowd. An
unusually interesting musical programme was pre-
scented, and addresses were made by Mayor Low
and Father William a Olmsted, of Indiana hrevet
major general of volunteers. Mayor Low was in
troduced by Colonel Joseph A. Cioulden chairman
Of the memorial committee. The Mayor said:
About twenty years ago when | was Mayor Of
Brooklyn, it fell to my lot to preside on one occa-
sion at a gathering Of veterans Of the Army of
the Potomac. On that particular evening a camp
FIRE had been arranged, and a sentinel was walk
s lr up ana GOWN oeI%rf III nad hardly begun my
enough to that nothing serious had happened
General Horace Porter. He pictured this soldier
p wh9 had endured an the perils Of the war in
gone through them all safely, but had been reduced
ton Partly for that reason do not intend to
make a speech this evening. partly because have
already AREA, made one address and partly because the
portunity to be present tonight
Mayor Low presided for the remainder of the
evening, and introduced the different musical per
formers. In presenting Father OImsted he said
that the priest had fought IN every battle of the
Army of the Potomac, and came out brevetted a
major general of volunteers for his bravery. At
the battle Of Gettysburg he said. Father Olmsted
was in command of the First Brigade. Second Di-
vision. Second Corps and his place the line was
by the side of General Webb 1t a remarkable
thing ne said. that both since that time had
given themselves the work OF education
1T seems that they realized. he added that
the only of the republic ignorance
And it IS hardly accident that by my side sits
General Howard. who the first day of the battle
of Gettysburg in command, and led one OF
Shermans wings in his famous march to the sea
He, also, been identified with the promotion
of the of education. The Of the How
ard University is known TO institution
consecrated TO uplifting the colored race. He is
also interested in building up near the home of
Abraham Lincoln, the Lincoln University. 1t Is
true that those giving their lives in aid of edu-
cation fighting the enemy no less than those on
the battlefield
Father Omsted's address contained many inter
esttng "reminiscences Of the Civil War, and their
recital struck a sympathetic chord with his u
ditors. Speaking of standing armies, he said
There many who believe that this country
ought to support large standing army. similar
those in foreign countries. foreigner who
visited this country recently expressed Amusement
when he learned the size of army. and asked
what would do in of He in
formed that the United States capable of
days thoroughly drilled and ready for war. Our
militia forms substantial nucleus and in addi-
ton have our old volunteers. who fine a
lot of soldiers can be found anywhere. There
many objections TO a large standing army.
In the first place, ii drains the pockets the
deprives young of opportunity to acquire
professions for their future maintenance. Long
service in the army becomes irksOme, and units
a young for real warfare The discipline
takes all the spirit out of him. When the Civil
War had ended glad enough
that was the cry that was heard everywhere The
mad all become restless.