Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-14
VETERANS At FESTIVE BOARD
AZTEC CLUB HOLDS HAPPY
FUNCTION AT BALTIMORE.
Mexican War Survivors and Their
Descendants Listen to His
torioal Incidents.

Special Dispatch to The Star
BALTIMORE. October H.-Old veterans.
men who fought In the Mexican war and
their descendants who are now enlisted in
the hghting ranks Of the United States.
gathered last night at the Belvedere under
the name of the Aztec Club. There were
six gallant soldiers there who helped win
Inc victory under the very walls Of the
City OF Mexico. and their faces wore a
look OF animation and their lips quivered
as they heard the daring incidents of
those days recounted by their fellows on
the field Of battle.
interest, OF course, centered around the
guests. conspicuous among whom was Gen.
Nelson A. Miles. retired. former COM
mander Of the Army Of the Potomac. and
lieutenant general in the war with Spain.
While talking in general about the inde-
pendence OF the country and declaring that
the spirit which animated the men In the
Mexican war. The SPANS, war and even
the civil war. was q characteristic Of the
American. he did not fail to declare that
the great military spirits OF the war with
Mexico had come in for their share of
criticism and jealousy. This he developed
even to the Spanish war. and broadly
limited OF his own disagreement with Pres
ident Roosevelt.
Gen. Miles on the Last War.
Even In the last war. the war with
Spain" he said, the history Of our naval
cohquests equaled that Of the forces on
land. The fighting strength of our navy
was then for the first time shown. would
say that concerning the military forces
there were twice as many men called out
for service AZ were really necessary. Tn
fortunately. there appeared even then po
ltttcal intrigue ana criticism OF the varf-
Gus commanders. It has been the same in
time that this will disappear and leave
the central figures Of the wars in their
true light
Gen. r. c. Drum. U.s.A., retired, was
the POSTMASTER. Although verging upon
eighty years Of age. he denied vigorously
that he is old. As he introduced the
speakers there was q touch OF pathcs In
the scene, for most Of the former military
and naval commanders called upon hal
lost the resonant voices OF younger days.
At the dinner were six officers who
fought in the Mexican war. They were
Gen. Simon B. Buckner. former Governor
Of Kentucky. and the highest ranking Off
Gen. Drum. who was formerly ad:utant
general Of the army: Gen. Horatio c.
Gibson, who was commandant Of Fort Nc
Henry In the eighties: Judge John J.
NQ6IIlH OF 0SOT8IA, SOl. a. o. NICuOiSOu IL
the Marine Corps and Surg. Gen. Robert
Murray, retired.
Gen. Buckner Declares for Taft.
Gen. Buckner. who startled his friends
by declaring that he would support Judge
TAFT. although he has always voted. the
democratic ticket and was elected Gov
ernor Of Kentucky on democratic plat
form. Yves selected vice president CT the
club in the afternoon. Though past eighty
five years Of age. he said he is as fresh as
q youngster.
After Gen. Miles speech Rear Admiral
Frederick Rodgers Of Washington told OF
some Of his recollections of his grand
father. Commodore Matthew c. Perry.
The Perry family. he said. had been a
that all his sons enter the navy. although
''only Ave did this Admiral Rodgers de-
clared himself proud Of being a native of
Maryland. having been born in Hartford
he said. as to accompany his grandfather.
Commodore Perry, on frequent trips to
Havre de Grace.
In his address OF welcome Mayor Ma
distinguished visitors. Owing to the late
ness Of the hour he cut his speech short
with the remark. 1T is not well to keep
you young men out late at night"
AL the Ou6ln0SS session III the 8ItoFnOOu
amendments to the constitution of the
society. which was formed in 1877 by of1-
GERS Of the Mexican war, were made to
include associate members. the sons OF
representative members.
Notables Present.
Those who attended. the banquet were:
Mayor Mahool. Gems. Horatio G. Gibson,
U.S.A.. retired, Washington; 8. B. Buck
ner, U.S.A., retired. Kentucky; r. C..
Drum. U.s.A.. retired. WASHINGTON:
George b. Davis. judge advocate general.
LISA: Nelson A. lies. U.S.A., retired;
Robert Murray. U.S>A.. retired; George Z.
Elliott. U.SM.C.; Col. A. 8. Nicholson,
U.S.M.C.; Rear Admiral Frederick Rodg-
ers. Washington.
Others present were: Rev. William T.
Snyder, Washington: Drs. Wharton
sinkler. Philadelphia: and W: M. Polk.
Courcy w. Thorn. Judge j. J. Martin,
Atlanta: A. B. Randall and Frank p.
Abercrombie. Philadelphia: e. Willoush-
by Anderson. Washington: John G. Dawes
James Malcolm Henry Philadelphia; E.
7. Lawrence; Capt. Mumford. U.S.A.; j.
Morris Morgan and r. Drum Hunt. Wash
ington: Archibald H. Taylor. William NJ.
sweeny and Loyal Farragut. New York:
]. Kennedy Stout and Guy King. Wash
ington.
Gen. Frederick Dent Grant telegraphed
at the eleventh hour that It would be i'm
possible for him to attend. as he had re-
ceived orders from the Secretary Of War
to proceed to Fort Ethan Allen in Yer
mont.
Omcers Elected
The officers elected for the coming year
are:
President-vice President Col. N,chol-
son.
Vice president-Gen. 8. b. Buckner.
Tfeasurer-William Turnbull, New York
Vice treasurer-Edward H. Lloyd Jones,
New York.
Secretary-WilEam M. Sweeny, New
York.
Executive committee DIR. John W.
Brannan Of New York. Loyal Farragut
and Macrae Sykes Of Peekskill. N. Y.
Austrian post Of31eA AtfaekAd-MaN