The National tribune., 1906-08-30
AN ELEGANT SOUVENIR.
Presentation of DiamOnd-Studdeil
Badge to Chief Tanner.


| At Minneapolis there was a meeting
of the Commander-in-Ch Aids. Maj
Frank A. Butts. Senior Aid, presented
| Commander-in-Chief Tanner with a SUI
perb diamond-studded badge and a sum
of money. Comrade Butts said:
"Comrade Tanner: Nearly 40 years
| measure my friendship and close COM
radeship with you, and it is therefore
with pride and pleasure that l stand
before you now to perform a duty in
behalf of my comrades of the National
Staff in presenting to you the badge OF
a Past Commander-in-Ch
This badge, my dear comrade but
poorly represents the esteem and love
your comrades have for you, but its
gems will serve to tell the eloquent
story of your bright record and it's gold
is symbolical of your sterling worth as
citizen and comrade of the Grand
Army of the Republic.
LAS you know. it has always been
the custom for the National Staff to
present the retiring Commander-in-
Chief with a badge at the National En-
campment, and heretofore this badge
has always been a very costly one. We
desired, however, to make our gift to
you one that will be of substantial bene-
fit to you in your declining years, and
one that will add to the happiness of
the donors and of your comrades gen.
orally, in that your hearthstone will be
frightened by this free-will Offering. 1t
was therefore suggested that, instead of
the usual costly badge, / present you
with this palmer one, and that 1 hand
you, with same, a certified check for
the balance of the fund that has come
into my hands
"Wear the badge in token of your
unqualified success as a COMMANDMENT
Chief who has omitted nothing that
would help his comrades (over the pit
falls which must abide on a soldiers
march), and with the knowledge that
your long-continued and untiring ef-
forts in behalf of the Grand Army of
the Republic are appreciated by each
and every member of that Order. And
now, as / have performed this pleasant
duty, and as I am about to sever my
connection as a member of your official
family. I'll say. in the language of
James Whitcomb Riley, 'Good-by, Jim;
tex keer O. yourself"
Commander-in-Chief Tanner replied:
"Comrade Butts and Friends:
"As a preliminary word 1 would ask
you not to measure the depth of my
gratitude for your kindness by the vol
ume of my expression to-day.
I'm the strenuous hours that are up
ou 10 L diA " Spcdh ~ sou
very briefly, but If 1 had all the time in
all the future which may be guaranteed
to any man I could but family express
the depth of the feeling possess grow
ing out of the loyal devotion to my ad-
of the affairs of the Grand
Army during my year as Commander
in-Chief which has been exhibited by
the gentlemen of the Staff.
81 could not say conscientiously that
I am surprised at your appearance on
such a mission, for 80 years participa
ton In the affairs of the Grand Army
have made me somewhat familiar with
Commander-in-Chief. But I can say
that 1 am truly amazed at the volume
of kindness exhibited in what you lay
before me. This beautiful badge shall
wear proudly, and at the end of myl
time consign confidently to that one
of my family who, as soldier himself,
will treasure 1t as an expression Of es-
teem and honor from you, my COM
rades, to myself.
"As to the other, and we may say the
part of your testimonial, pass
1t over to these, the daughters of my
with the injunction upon
them that its proceeds shall be embod-
led in the walls of a home where COM
radely affection and the richness of af-
fectfonate regard between comrade and
may be OF daily reminder as
may sit in declining years with the
shadows drawing round me. Again and
yet again l thank you"