The Washington herald., 1913-02-26
VETERANS GIVE
CHIEF RECEPTION
Commander-in-chief Of G. A.
R. Alfred Beers Guest Of
District War Survivors.
PRESIDENT TAFT LAUDED
Senator Kern, One Of Principal Speak
ers, Pays High Tribute to
Chief Executive.

while President Taft was overwhelm-
| ingiy defeated at the polls at the last
Presidential election, having received the
electoral votes of only two States. and
small ones. at that. no President OF the
United States In many years past has
| gone out of office carrying greater re-
| spect and affection of millions of Amer
lean citizens without regard to political
affiliation than William Howard Taft
This statement. which was cheered en-
thusiastically, was by Senator John w.
Kern Of Indiana at a banquet and re-
ception in honor of Alfred Beers, COM
mander-in-chief, G. A. R., by the De-
partment OF the Potomac, at Rauscher's .
last night Senator Kern responded to
the toast THE More Perfect Union"
The Senator from Indiana paid partic-
ular tribute to Comrade Mckee, the
sweet singer Of Indiana" and the au-
thor "f "On the Banks OF the Old Wa
bash;" to Pension Commissioner Daven-
lSrt, to Gen. Black. of the Civil Serv-
ice Commission. and other veterans
present.
II would rather have been a rrivatc
In the Union army and would rather
have fought under the Stars Gnd Stripes
on the battlefield, that I might trans
NIT IN my children the glory that :ocs
with that patriotism. than the honor Of
being elected Governor OF every State In
the Union Dr. Of 4 thousand States" con-
tinued Senator Kern. who declared that
the war with Spain had conclusively
shown that the South was ready to sac
rifice its best blood in defense OF the
Stars and Stripes and the Union.
In concluding his address, Senator
Kern said that the honor OF the nation
is pledged that the wives and the chill
dren of the heroes Of the civil war
should never want.
Letters of Regret.
]. D. Bloodgood. department COM
mander, after prayer by N. II. Holmes,
department chaplain. welcomed the
members OF the organization and intro
duced Henry A. johnson as toastmaster.
After reading letters of regret from
President Taft, Speaker Clark, former
Speaker Cannon. Representative James
r. Mann. Senator Sutherland, Represent
alive Willis. Secretary Charles ID. Hilles.
and others. a delegation OF women clad
in white and carrying flags, members Of
the Ellen Spencer Mussey Camp. present.
ed themselves. and through the president
Of the camp. Mrs. Howe, extended their
70 Commander r-in-chief
Alfred B. Beers and presented him with
a large bouquet OF roses.
In introducing the commander-in-chief,
Toastmaster Johnson recited his many
deeds OF valor on the battlefield and his
patriotic services In public life. Gen.
Beers spoke OF the heroes of the civil
war. and said that the heroes who put
down the rebellion were not all to be
found among the men who held high
places, but that the private was Just as
great a hero. He spoke Of the men who
stayed at home furnishing the necessi-
ties of war, such as clothing, food, and
money, as heroes.
Representative henry A. Barnhart of
Indiana. in responding to the toast OF
The Boys of 1861" said he had many
times suggested to Gen. Black. of the
Civil Service Commission, to throw civil
service to the wind and give every old
soldier government Office. Represent
tive Barnhart said he agreed with Sen
itor Kern as regards President Taft's
popularity. and added that II his idea Of
arbitration had passed
congress, he would have accomplished
he greatest thing in behalf of humanity
ince President Lincolns emancipati ton |
The color guard consisted of c. H. wor-
len. S. G. Mawson. and NJ. ]. Ferren, of |,