The Washington times., 1924-09-11
By CAROLTNE 10, APPLETON.

NEW YORK, Sept. 1.-THE fine
art Of after dinner speaking was
raised from the abysmal tomb Of
irreverant modern usage when some
fifteen hundred guests gathered at
dinner at the Hotel Aston last
night and listened TO the pro-
nouncement Of eulogies appropriate
to General Pershing's untimely re-
tirement from active service.
The generals CONSERVATION at the
enthusiasm Of his admirers must
have been subdued to a kinder feeling
than personal embarrassment AMI
he could only have been deeply
moved when the several distinguished
speakers so obviously drew upon
their rarest art to do him honor.
General Pershing's fortitude was re-
markable, at that. He was very
warmly described!
The dinner was arranged under
the auspices Of the Government Club
of New York, civic organization
Of women to promote among women
a more practical knowledge of gov
erT.ment and to inculcate truer
spirit of patriotism. Mrs George
S. Owens, president of the club,
presided The dinner, however, had
many of the characteristics OF an
army affair. There were many
regular officers present and more
of the reserve corps, who resumed
their uniforms for the occasion. The
West Point band played through
out the evening and wove into the
scene the indescribable thread of
musical Renaissance that silenced
conversation at frequent intervals
and brought storms Of applause
with the recurrence of old airs.
Benny Ravens o" clouded many
military eye with an honorable mist
and the stately strains of the West
Point hymn. 1.-THE Corps" nave
never, probably, aroused deeper
emotion than last evening when
West Points most famous living
alumnus received the homage of,
soldiers and civilians alike.
Wins Pledge of Support.
General Pershing has never ap.
peared more fit, re vigorous,
more engaging, more sternly inlpas.
stoned in his appeal for national de.
Tense than when he addressed this
assemblage and diverted the signifi.
canoe of the occasion from himself
to the great cause which he holds
dear. After preliminary acknowl-
edgments General PershIny swept
into the subject Of tile forthcoming
defense test, invoking the loyalty,
gratitude, and memory Ct the peo.
pie Of the United States for those
who fought under him in France
and charging them thai the men
who wore the uniform are the best
custodians of the principles for
which they fought ard that the
forthcoming Defense Day is but a
national gesture by which the
proper authorities, who would be
called upon in national emergency,
may examine defects IN the nations
resistance and further prepare for
its adequate defense.
His address was received by a
unanimous rising pledge Of support
for the defense program, and 1t was
proposed by the president Of the
club that all future Defense days
commemorate the generals personal
service to his country-a suggestion
which held him at its mercy be-
cause his own remarks were already
concluded and his protest drowned
in applause.
Major General Harbord, General
Pershing's chief-of-staff in France,
rendered an eloquent tribute to his
chief, as did Major General Fred
w. Sladen, superintendent Of the
United States Military Academy.
Ambassador James w. Gerard;
Charles M. Schwab, who spoke as
Q civilian, he said, and would do
homage not to the general but to
the man, and Job E. Hedges, whose
humor was especially keen.
Billiards. Tribute.
With keen intent, however, /
have left the mention of the first
speaker until the last. To add to
the address of Major General Rob
ert Lee Billiard, commander of sec.
ond corps area, and during the war
France, would be an unwarranted
pr assumption. General Billiard Is an
extraordinary speaker. Last night,
with an Incompatible simplicity, he
turned back the pages of chivalrous
record and introduced a knightly
theme, subtle and significant note
with which the ceremonies might
well have closed and the intended
honor to General Pershing have
been fully achieved. General Bull.
lard said:
"Of old, a warrior fell. A com.
rade laments him: All, Sir Knight
he said, Thou were the head Of
all Christian warriors. And thou
were not matched of another war.
rior's hand. And thou were as
courtly a knight as ever bore arms.
And thou were the kindest man
that ever struck with sword. And
thou were the gentlest man that
ever safe in hall among ladies.
And thou were the truest friend
of thy friend that ever bestrad
horse. And thou were the stern.
est enemy of the mortal foe that
ever fought on bloody fieldv
Men and women, the Army
thus laments its departing chief"
Others attending tn edinner were:
Major General John r. Organ, Ma.
jor General George H. Harries,
Brigadier General William s. Graves,
U. S. A.: Brigadier General William
Weigel, u. S. A.; Brigadier General
Johnson Hagood, U. S. A.. Brigadier
General Frank Parker, u S. A.;
Brigadier General Avery ID. Andrews,
Brigadier General Brice d. Disque,
Brigadier General Howard S. Borden.
Brigadier General William Barclay
Parsons. Brigadier General Cornelius
Vanderbilt, the Reverand Clayton e.
Wheat. chaplain of West Point; j.
Mayhem Wainwright. Ebert II.