Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-24
BANQUET AT NEW WILLARD
Letter From President Roosevelt Read
to Gathering.
LADIES PRESENT A BOUQUET
Inspection Of Posts Along the Allan
tic Seaboard-Names of Those
in Attendance.

stories Of war time. "reminiscences of the
days of Bull Run, Of sherman's march to
the sea, of Appomattox, and Of other battle
scenes OF two score years ago were re-
called last evening at a reception and BAN
auet given by the Department of the Po-
tomac, g. A. R.. at the New Willard in
honor OF Robert B. Brown, commapder-in-
chief Of the Grand Army of the Republic
Commander Brown, whose home is in
GAINESVILLE, Ohio, has been attending the
annual encampment Of the veterans resident
in the District Of Columbia, and the func-
ton last evening was arranged particularly
to make memorable his visit to the capital
city.
The commander came to Washington di-
rectly from Boston. where he participated
in the annual encampment of the Massa-
chusetts veterans.
More than 200 covers We're spread for the
banquet IN the larger ball room on the tenth
floor of the New Willard and the occasion
was pronounced one of the most enjoyable
gatherings OF the Department Of the Poto-
mac In recent years. Several events not
on the stated program were included in the
festivities, one Of the most pleasant being
the presentation of handsome bouquet Of
American beauty roses to Commander-in-
Chief Brown by committee from Mrs Ell
len Spencer Mussey Tent No, l. Daughters
of Veterans. Miss Anna NJ Roberts. nresi
dent of the tent, made the presentation
speech, and she was accompanied by Miss
Emma F. Hayward, Miss Rose M. Seton
ana Mrs. Mary +. Crenshaw. The COM
mander expressed his appreciation in fit
ting terms and promised to bear the bou-
quet to his home In Ohio as one of the
most valued Of the gifts received in the
course of his visits to the G. A r nosts
along the Atlantic seaboard.
Letter From President Roosevelt.
Department Commander B, p Entrikin
raped for order after all had done full
justice to the good things of life, and in a
brief Introductory way spoke of the pride
he felt in common with his comrades in
wearing the bronze button of the G. A. r.
Thomas s. Hopkins, chairman of the BAN
quet committee, was called upon to preside
during the formal exercises. A letter from
President Roosevelt was read, the chief
executive expressing his thanks to the vet
Grams for their invitation and his regret at
being unable to attend. The President re-
quested Chairman Hopkins to convey his
best wishes to Commander Brown. Letters
of similar import were read from Admiral
Dewey and Senator Foraker.
The first toast proposed-'-To the Presi-
dent"-was drunk standing.
After presenting the guest of honor tn
the gathering Chairman hopkins suggested
Three cheers for COMMANDMENT Chief
Brown" and the cheers were given with a
will.
Congratulates Local Department.
Responding to the greeting in the same
spirit in which it was given, Commander
Brown congratulated the Department Of
the Potomac upon the magnificent showing
it has made in the affairs of the Grand
Army of the Republic.
"As great as were the 1,774.OO0 boys who
were enrolled in the defense of the Union
In the sixties. think even greater are the
survivors who have enrolled themselves in
upbuilding the country in the forty years
since the surrender at Appomattox" he
Continued on Second Page)