Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-24
THE CLOSING FEATURE
SOCIAL FUNCTION IN HONOR OF
NATIONAL GUARDsMEN.

The officers of the militia attending the
annual session of the Interstate National
Guard Association. which came to close
in this city yesterday afternoon, were the
guests of the National Guard of the DIS
trict OF Columbia at a reception last even
ing in the New Willard Hotel. Several Off
GERS of the regular army were also present,
and the men of the two allied branches of
the military service fraternized in way
well calculated to refute all notions of any
thing but the most harmonious relations
between the officers of the regular army
and the militia. All the officers wore the
dress uniform of their states as they had
done when they were received by the Presi-
dent at the White House the afternoon be-
fore
In the receiving line were Assistant Sec
rotary of War Robert Shaw Oliver, Gen.
George H. Harries. Col. NJ. Emmett Jrell
and Col Charles II. Ourand. Lieut.. Gen.
A. R. Chaffee. Gen. Charles Dick of Ohio
the president of the Interstate National
Guard Association; Maj Gen. John c. Bates
chief of staff and members of the military
committee from both branches of Congress
were among the prominent guests.
Gen. Harries welcomed the guests in be-
half of the District, and introduced Gen.
Chaffee. The latter made a brief talk, in
which he laid stress on the necessity for
gress for the proper maintenance of the
National Guard. Commissioner Mcfarland
was introduced and spoke of the relation
between the soldier and the civilian.
Brief Addresses.
A buffet supper was served, after which
the guests listened to a talk by Gen. Bates.
He believed that there should always be a
reserve army IT. the country ready at any
time TO take the field in support of the reg
ular army in case of war. Gen. James a.
Drain Of Washington explained the meth
DDS governing rife practice in that state,
and said that a ligh degree of efficiency had
been attained in that important feature of
the soldiers education. Gen. Goblin of
pennsylvania anc Maj. Gen. Wade, in COM
mand of the division of the Atlantic, spoke
in pleasant vein, after which Gen. Dick
was presented
Gen. Dick declared that the American flag
now floats higher than does the banner of
any other nation, and said that the great
national achievements which had made this
proud position possible had been won by
the American soldier more than by any
other class of citizens of the republic. He
was proud to state that the uniform of the
American soldier represents more manhood
than did the armor of the@crusaders.
In conclusion he thanked those who had
labored so successfully to make the meet
ing in Washington this year one long to be
remembered.
Brought Guests to Their Feet.
The strains of the Star Spangled Ban
ner," rendered by the Brigade Band Orches-
ira, brought the guests to their feet in ap-
probation. The rendition of this piece of
martial music was the last incident of the
reception.
AS stated in The Star, the visiting guards
men spent most of yesterday afternoon at
Fort Myer, where they were entertained by
several interesting drills. A cavalry drill
by thirty-fve men from Company F, 18th
Cavalry, was the first event. The troopers
were mounted on brown steeds and wore
full-dress uniforms The next exhibition
consisted of trick riding by light horsemen.
This was followed by artillery drill in
which three squads took part. All of the
events excited much interest on the part Of
the guardSmen.