The Washington times., 1906-02-02
LOYAL LEGION'S
GUESTS Of HONOR
Vice President, Justice Stat
ford, and General Chaffee.
CHIEF OF ARMY PRAISED
Noted Jurist Also Made an Address
Which Appealed Forcibiy to
All Present.

The commandery Of the District OF
Columbia, Military order OF the Loyal
Legion dined at Rauscher's last night,
with the Vice President OF the United
States as the guest OF honor and dis
tinguished company OF nearly 5JO men
gathered about the banquet board. The
dinner was made conspicuous by a noble
speech by Wendell Phillips Stafford,
Justice OF the supreme Court OF the
District, on THE Ideal Citizen"
Judge StanOrd's address lifted itself
easily above the level OF an occasion
already high. in point OF the Oratorlcal
excellence Of the speeches delivered. 1t
was able. brilliant, and inspiring.
The companions and guests Of the
cOmmandery sat around long tables in
the principal banquet hall, upon which
looked down the table at which sat the
presiding officer. Lieut.. Gen. Adna r.
Chanee. and the speakers and principal
guests OF the evening. The walls were
lined with the draped colors Of the
country the members Of the order had
done so much TO render permanent and
portraits OF the leading figures in the
stern drama of the older days. Masses
Of flowers transformed the great room
into separate bowers OF beauty.
The dinner resolved itself very largely
into testimony 10 General Chaffee. who
yesterday laid down the command Of
the army of the United States Every
speaker sounded his praises. The only
5arr1ng note in the symphony of praise
'Sas contributed by Senator Warren OF
Missouri. who declared "a young man
Of sixty-fOur ought TO be ashamed to
go on the retired list. Personally I can
add three years To the tale of General
Chanee's accomplishment in that direc-
ton. and. unless my plans are changed
by disease or the fortune Of political
war. 1 do not intend 10 go on the re
tired list for at least a quarter Of a
century"
White House Reception.
The reception at the White House to
the members Of Congress required the
attendance OF Vice President Fairbanks,
and he was compelled TO leave the din
ner in the midst OF its fun. He spoke
briefly before his departure. praising the
services the members of the Loyal Lee
gion had rendered their country
Representative Washington Gardner Of
Michigan responded 10 the toast, The
Victories OF Peace" He enjoyed a
unique distinction. for in all probability
he was the only man in the room who
had served in the army at all, who had
served as a private.
Union Stronger Than Ever.
Mr. Gardner sketched briefly some OF
the most conspicuous attachments and
achievements of this country since the
civil war. The population has increased
from about thirty millions TO nearly
eighty-hve millions. and the wealth from
about sixteen billions to about a hun
dred billions OF dollars. Not since the
government was formed. he declared,
has the Union been so strong-never has
II been so we'll loved in every section
of the country. as IL is today. The
amity between the sections. he said,
was never so close as IL is today.
Judge Stafford s address followed that
OF MT Gardner. II was a discussion of
the qualities of true citizenship, in its
joint aspect OF motive and accomplish
ment. 1t breauhed optimism and seren-
est confidence in the ultimate triumph
OF republican institutions on this con-
tinent Judge Stafford said he believed
this nation was adequate 10 the produc-
tlOn OF the man TO meet every occasion
and every need.
Some Other Speakers.
In response 10 calls from the toast
master. brief speeches were made by
Senator William Warner. OF Missouri:
Dr Charles Needham. president of
George Washington University. and Gen.
John c. Black. former COMMANDMENT
chief Of the G. A. r. Promptly at the
stroke OF midnight. General Chanee' 5
gavel fell. and he declared the merri-
menJ and the speaking and the enjoy
ment OF this particular occasion ad-
1ourned without day
Justice Stafford's address viii appear
in full in next SUM Us Times.
nLDOniI IMnTlTITT