Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-09
EACH WEARS MEDAL
Honor Legion Holding Annual
Convention in Washington.
BATTLE-SCARED VETERANS
Men Conspicuous for Deeds of
Bravery in Enemy's Presence.
REPORT OF THE COMMANDER
Total Membership Ten Less Than
Noted at the Last Annual
Gathering.
BATTLE-SCARED VETERANS
REPORT OF THE COMMANDER

Bravery in the concrete: valor in the
aggregate"
The foregoing term was employed today
BY a distinguished citizen of Washington
az descriptive of the personnel of long
Iine OF mostly gray-haired men as they
wendell their way toward the White
House and the War Department.
The marchers had the poise and stride
of veteran American soldiers and sailors,
and 4 the head of their column was
borne large white banner. inscribed in
letters of gold
Medal OF Honor Legion"
Each soldier In the line wore with pride
golden medal attached to a sky-blue
field starred with white which had been
awarded him by act of Congress for some
brave deed '1n the face of the enemy
upon some sanguinary battlefield or on
the high seas. The marchers were dele
gates to the annual convention of that
unique and highly honorable organization.
the United States Medal of Honor Legion.
which had just begun Its annual conven-
tion here. Its units were men of many
grades and ranks-generals touching ell
bows with privates and admralS walking
proudly beside grzzled tars who had
faced the fiery blasts from the big naval
guns. They were men who had made 1t
possible for this great nation to write
upon its escutCheon some of the greatest
Victories that are recorded on the pages of
the worlds history.
Opening Session.
Prior to the march of the men OF the
legion to the White House and War De-
partment the opening session of the con-
vention had been held in the red parlors
OF the Ebbitt House. where headquarters
have been established The meeting was
called TO order by Gen. Patrick DeLacey.
national commander Of the Medal of
Honor Legion. at 10 o'clock this fore
noon
The acting chaplain general. James
Miller then prayed fervently for the con-
tinued success of the organization of men
who have gained distinction and earned
medals OF honor by valiant service in the
military and naval arms. The delegates
then presented their credentials to Capt. |
Charles A. Sidman of the Sons of Veterans
and Spanish War Veterans. who had been
selected as acting secretary of the con- |
vention Capt Sidman is also a second |
class member of the legion.
A pretty incident marked the opening
of the convention. The large silk Ameri- |
can flag of the legion had been left in the |
rear Of the hall by accident Col NJ En-
met UreN. perceiving the colors in the
rear, seized them and advancing TO the
fore amid a storm of applause planted
"Oid Glory" by the side of Commander |
in-Chief DeLacey, with the remark
"Our colors should always be at the |
front"
Answer to Roll Call.
The officers Of the legion who responded
to the roll call today were: Commander
Patrick DeLacey, Scranton, Pa; Senior
Vice Commander Samuel b. Horne. Win |
sted. Conn; Adjutant John c. Hunter
son. Philadelphia. Pa; Judge Advocate |
Walter Thorn, Brooklyn, n. y: Quarter
-. lid gfY.I,f Il.
Inspector Charles II. Houghton, Newark. |
n j.: Surgeon Gabriel Grant NJ. d. New /
York city; Historian ST. Clair a. Mulhol- |
land. Philadelphia. Pa; executive com
Washington d. C: J. Madison Drake,
Elizabeth, n. j.; Patrick ]. Kyle.
Charleston. Mass; Benjamin Il. Levy,
New York city; Gerald C. Cron!n
second class, Brooklyn, N. Y. Peter F. |
RAFFERTY,. New York city; Thomas r. Kerr. |
Pttsburg. Pa; Charles f. Rand, Wash |
ington. ID. c., and Herman kuchneister, |
Maiden Mass.
Commanders Annual Report.
Commander DeLacey then read his an
nual report which was listened to with |
marked attention. He said. in part: /
The year now closing has been a sue |
cessful one in gaining new members, yet |
the grim reaper. 1 regret to lounce. |
has been most active In removing from |
whose distinguished and most conspicuous |
gallantry placed their names forever upon
the pages OF their beloved countrys his |
tory. Since issuing general order No.
five companions have passed away. name
ly. Alexander Mack of New London.
Conn. Gen. Cecil Clay of Washington
D. C.: II. T. Johns OF Washing -, ID. c.;
T. c. CoOney, I. 5. S. Florida, an1 Eugene
W. Ferris OF ROCkand. Ind
Gen. DeLacey stated that the total
membership of the first class ct the date
- 14.-t aI,,z-I TIL
membership. II: second class advanced %
first class 4, Total 4T2. Loss by death, |
q res gned, 1. leaving AT members of the |
first class. There are sixty-three members |
of the second class, making grand |
total OF 5lO members of both classes.
Explains Delay.
Gen. DeLacey explained the delay of
nearly one month in holding the present |
convention by the statement that when |
Washington was first suggested as the |
next place of meeting the chairman of the |
executive committee called upon Secre |
tary Loeb and the date was thus fixed for |
October 10 10. 80 might have the |
pleasure and honor of greeting the Presi- |
dent Of the United States at our banquet |
Subsequently the Presidents plans were |
changed, but il was too late to change our |
plans
Commander DeLacey concludes by say
ing that he will sever his official relations |
With the legion with the best 1eellng IOr
the continued success of the organization. |
On motion of Maj. Moses Veale of Phila- |
delphja committee. composed of Messrs. |
Mulhulland, Delaney, Brush and Lang |
BON was appointed to consider the rec |
concentrations contained in the command |
eTs report.
Lieut. John c. Delaney of Harrisburg.
Pa de- Jared there were cases of valOr |
Of which the War Department has no rec |
ord which are as strong some of those |
for which medals of honor have been |
awarded.
on motion Of Col. NJ. Emmett Crell a re |
cess was taken until ! 80 o'clock this even
ing when the business sessions will be
resumed.
Visit to White House.
The members then formed in line on the
sidewalk IN front Of the hotel and accom-