Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-12
ATTA|NS ITS MAJORITY
Loyal Legion Commandery
Celebrates Anniversary.
MEMORY OF LINCOLN
SPEAKERS EXTOLE HIS RECORD
AS PRESIDENT.
Greater Navy Advocated-Addresses
by Senator Elect Hopkins, Mr..
Darling and Others.

by Senator-Elect HOPKINS, MI.
Darling and Others.
A display Of patriotism Of the most en-
thusiastic type was the feature Of the BAN
quet last evening Of the Commandery
of the District Of Columbia, Military
Order of the Loyal Legion of the
United States. The occasion not only
marked the coming of age Of the District
commandery-it being just twenty-one
years oldLbut was also made celebration
in honor Of the anniversary of the birth of
the immortal Lincoln-the martyr President
who was the commander n-chief during the
dark days of 1S81-65. of the men who assem-
bled last evining particularly to express
renewed allegiance to the flag that was
kept aloft. under Lincolns guidance, by
them and their comrades in arms
The event was a notable one and 1t will
long be remembered. That 1t was the most
successful banquet in every way in the Dis
trict Commanders history Of successes is
conceded. Distinguished senators and rep
resentatives in Congress, Justice of the
Supreme Court of the United States, promi-
nent officers Of the army and of the navy.
and well-known citizens Of the national
capital composed the gathering. Every
body was of one mind. Love of country
was the prevailing theme and at intervals
from 1:3O o'clock until long after midnight
rousing cheers were given for the stars and
stripes.
The members Of the commandery and the
guests assembled In the parors and to the
strains of a stirring march, proceeded
thence to the beautiful banquet hall of
Rauscher's new building. The decorations
were unanimously regarded as superbly pa
triotic and artistic. The two sides of the
hall consist almost entirely of mirrors, The
ceiling is studded with vari-colored mean
descent electric lights. The national colors
and flowers in profusion were used cxclu-
sively for decorative purposes. The stars
and stripes were everywhere. draped in
graceful folds. while immense beds Of jon
qu1ls and vases of carnations and other cut
flowers were tastefully arranged. Ferns,
palms and potted plants were also used
with excellent effect.
Pleasing Environments.
The scene as the members and their
guests entered the banquet hail was an in
spring and dazzling one Half a dozen
tables were set the length of the hall, while
another for the officers and the special
guests ran across the north end. An or
chestra from the National Guard Brigade
Band under the direction of Prof. Donald
B. Mcleod. was stationed in the gallery and
rendered selections throughout the even
Ing. A number of ladies also occupied
seats In the gallery as spectators Exact
ly 416 persons participated in the affair.
1856 being provided for in the banquet hall
and an overflow of sixty In the small ball
room adjoining.
After the commander had raped for or
der and Rev. c. Ernest Smith of St.
Thomas Episcopal Church had invoked the
divine blessing bugler from the Marine
Band. In full-dress uniform. sounded AS
sembly," which was the signal for every
n ~ hn,
hours attention was devoted to an elaborate
menu. The menu cards, which were hand
some and appropriate In design, formed
valuable souvenirs of the banquet.
After cigars had been lighted Col George
A. Woodward United States army. retired,
was introduced as POSTMASTER. Col. Wood
ward called attention to the fact that Feb
ruary II was the eve of the anniversary of
the birthday of the lamented Lincoln, and
called on Senator Jacob II. Gallinger OF
New Hampshire to respond to the toast
Abraham Lincoln"
Abraham Lincoln as Theme.
After remarking that a civilian was some
what out Of place at a Loyal Legion BAN
Quet, Senator Gallinger said: Until to-
day 1 had but a casual acquaintance with
your organization. This afternoon while
a distinguished senator was debating the
statehood bill by speaking of the Panama
canal. l looked up some facts regarding
the Loyal Legion, and soon reached the
conclusion that there Is nothing in all the
world ! would not give II l could become
a companion Of the legion"
The speaker referred to the objects and
purposes of the organization and character
lied them as grand principles He then
turned his attention to the subject of tn
toast, saying: Lincoln was perhaps the
grandest man in American history. We
revere his memory, we cherish his deeds.
He controlled the destinies of this great
republic and saved It."
Senator Gallinger stated that he was
present and heard the memorable debate
between Lincoln and Douglass; that he
had conferred with the President at the
White House during the progress of ire
civil war, and read the famous speech de-
livered by Lincoln at Gettysburg. The
senator related an incident that, he said,
expressed a divine example of Christian
faith on the part Of Lincoln. The latter,
so the speaker declared, was the friend Of
humanity, OF his country and of every man
who bore allegiance to that old flag that
floats over tonight. The south, as wci.
as the north, now honors him. and tonight
We unite in tribute to his greatness. his
goodness and his glory
Lincoln, the Light Bringer.
When the applause which rewarded Sem
ator Gallinger had subsidized Mr.. Juan
Lewis, a companion Of the District Com
mandery, rected an original poem COM
posed for the occasion, and entitled: Lin
coin, the Light Bringer." 1t follows:
All prophet souls have the light
That heralds truth the ages through,
All savior souls have felt the might
That builded wiser than they knew.
So Lincoln savior Of a race,
Leaned out his soul at duty's call
And caught the sunlit CLEAN Of grace
That famed along his humble hall.
Not his the guileful craft of kings,
Not his the power that comes from gold,
But his the love Of lesser things.
savior. God-ordained Of old.
Oh birthright OF the free, the slave!
Heirloom, In every age, divine!
His. village hand stretched out to save
And freedom now is yours-and minei
Representative Palmer's Address.
The next speaker was Representative
Henry W. Palmer OF Pennsylvania, who
responded to the toast Our Country and
Its Future" I'VE live in the most marve-
lous century of recorded time, explained
Representative Palmer. THE world has
advanced by leaps and bounds. One hun
dred years ago our population numbered
little more than 100000 people Today
we have 81 100000. There has been vast