more indebted to these committees than is generally considered. They are fully entitled to grateful remembrance from all the members, and at any of our meetings should receive the cordial cooperation of all.

In this instance special mention is quite appropriate and should be given as due to those officers who had the responsibility.

In no better charge could have been placed the direction of the financial matters than that of General Hickenlooper. He received ready responses to his solicitations from resident members, which amply provided for current expenses of the reunion.

The Banquet Committee accomplished all that was needed, as their arrangements fully attested, and special commendation is due Generals Force, Noyes and Major Wise.

Much credit is due General Yorke and Captain Walker for the success attained in the matter of printing and publishing notice of the meeting, full circulation being secured both through the press and by the telegraph. No more thoroughly successful work could have been accomplished than that of the Committee on Decoration; praise from the audience at the Opera-house and appreciation of the decorations was complete. Captain Mills, Lieutenant Stevenson, Captain Kean and Dr. Harper are entitled to all credit for taste and energy in this direction.

Major Fleming conducted the matter of securing reduced transportation for attending members, which required much labor. and devotion of time. General Yorke, as secretary of the general committee, conducted all correspondence incident to the complimentary invitations and all other arrangements connected with the general committee work for the reunion. Thus the general committee was ably assisted by these gentlemen of the sub-committees, and cordially rendered their acknowledgements.

These committees are fully entitled to this special mention of their services, so that all members of the Society, whether present or absent from our reunions, may know to whom we are indebted for the life infused in our gatherings, and the spirit that secures compactness of desire for perpetuity. Therefore do I continue this plan of special mention, and trust the members will approve it.

This report has been delayed; indeed it should have been completed and distributed much earlier. I wish to say to the members that the duty of the Recording Secretary is not by any means a sinecure. In former years I could devote ample time to secure

all needed expedition, but since a period before this reunion there has been such a demand on my time by personal cares and responsibilities that the delay has been unavoidable, and that must be my explanation.

L. M. DAYTON,
Recording Secretary.

DECORATIONS.

At all meetings of our Society heretofore, much attention has been given to embellishing such rooms as were required for meetings and banquet, and at the present reunion the precedent has been observed.

Pike's Opera Hall, in which were held the business sessions, received particular attention-at the rear of the stage on large canvas was displayed our beautiful badge, accompanied by colors. and stacks of muskets on either side-at the front and right was a dismounted cannon, broken drums, muskets, bayonets and sabres, covered with moss and flowers, indicative that war has ceasedon the left, the implements of agriculture, the spade, hoe, rake and plow, and twining among them bright flowers and surmounted by a golden sheaf illustrative of the prosperity of peace, also reminding all of the great change since the day this is the anniversary. From the ceiling of the auditorium hung wreaths of evergreen stretched to different parts of the galleries, a profusion of festoons of evergreen arrayed throughout the hall. From the galleries were drooped many flags and colors carried on the march and defended in battle by regiments whose representatives were present. Upon the walls and panels of the galleries were placed the names of many of the prominent officers who served in our Army; among their number, the lamented McPherson, Mower, Rawlins, Ransom, Crocker, Fairchild and Mathias, draped in black and circled with laurel. Arrayed on the front wings of the stage were the names of battles in which our Army participated, well remembered by all and too numerous to mention.

The effect was most beautiful, producing a delight rarely experienced, especially in the evening when the orations were delivered. Many and emphatic were the words of praise and approbation. Most of the decorations in the Banquet Hall at the Burnet House were transferred from this hall producing a like cheering and joyous effect there.

BANQUET.

At all of our previous reunions, one considerable enjoyable feature has been our Society dinner, and this feature has been fully sus tained in the present. All had looked forward to this event with much interest, and the committee, equally anxious there should be no disappointment, had given their well known energy and judgment full scope.

At 9 o'clock the guests had assembled, and, in order, passed into the dining hall of the Burnet House and were seated, the Newport Barracks band playing "Hail to the Chief," and discoursing most excellent music, which was continued during the discussion of the dinner. The hall was arranged with the usual decorations, beautiful as could be desired, the tables, lengthwise of the hall, with a cross-table raised on a dais at the upper end. At this table sat Generals Belknap, Meade, Terry, Cox, Governor Hayes, Admiral Porter, Generals Pope, Hazen, Swayne, Burbank, Dyer, Gresham, Noyes and Force. General Sherman presiding, and seated at the center of the table.

The party-members of the Society, and guests, comprising some of the most distinguished gentlemen in the country-mem bers and guests alike, seemed to think there could be no result other than a good time, and so it proved, and is known only at such a board. When full justice had been accorded the spread, General Sherman announced it time to begin the "speaking" programme, and named the

FIRST TOAST:-"Our Country."

Response by Governor HAYES.

MR. PRESIDENT:-The subject which the committee has assigned to me, is altogether too large for the few sentences which one may properly speak on such an occasion as this. I shall therefore attempt but little more than to name some of the leading topics suggested by the sentiment which has been read.

Our country already embraces within its limits the finest part of the best continent on the globe, and the rest of the continent, and the islands of the adjacent seas, are likely to be annexed quite as rapidly as our republic will be able, healthfully, to digest

them.

Of our people, I quote from an old sermon, that “God seems to have sifted whole nations that He might send the choicest seeds over to people the American wilderness."

We have a Government founded on the consent of the governed, under which equality of civil and political rights and freedom of conscience and of the press are secured, and land, and homes, and education, and “an unfettered start, and a fair chance in the race of life," are within the reach of all. A Government so strong and so respected, that, without a formidable navy or standing army to protect him, the humblest American citizen in foreign lands is as safe and as honored as the subject or citizen of any power on earth. It is, perhaps, the only great Government in the world which has such resources at its command, that it can pay off the largest debts it ever incurred in the life time of the generation which contracted them.

ence.

Consider the history of our country. It is the youngest of the nations. We are just beginning to look forward to the celebration, five years hence, of the completion of the first century of it existThis brief period, so crowded with interesting events, with great achievements in peace and war, and adorned with illustrious names in every honorable walk in life, has witnessed a progress in our country without a parallel in the annals of the human race. Add to these considerations, the visions of greatness and prosperity which the future opens to America, and we shall begin to see by what titles our country claims, from all of her children, admiration, gratitude and loyal love.

Those who are accustomed to take gloomy views of every event and every prospect, will perhaps remind us that all the parts of this picture have their dark side; that this extended and magnificent territory of ours must needs have rival interests, hostile and dangerous to unity; that people differing in race, nationality, religion, language and traditions, will, with difficulty, be fused into one harmonious nation; that written constitutions do not make a Government unless their provisions are obeyed or enforced. As to our now boasted history, they will point to pages darkened with grave crimes against the weaker races, and as to our future, they tell of the colossal fortunes which, under the sanction of law, are already consolidating into the hands of a few men—not always the best men-powers which threaten alike good government and our liberties.

In reply to these views, it can not be denied that, in a wide domain like ours, inhabited by people not always harmonious, something more than written constitutions are required. A mere paper government is not enough. The law, if not voluntarily obeyed, must be firmly enforced. To accomplish this, there must be wisdom, moderation and firmness, not only in those who administer the government, but in the people, who, at last, are the government.

The great task is to educate a people in these high virtues, to the end that they may be equal to their opportunities and to the dangers that surround them. The chief instrumentalities in this education are, the home, the school, the platform, the pulpit and the press, and all good men and women are the educators.

Doubt and difficulty and danger lend to every human enterprise its chief interest and charm. Every man who fought in the Army of the Tennessee at Shiloh, knows that the gloom and despondency in which the first day's battle closed, gave an added glory to the victory of the second day. That victory is always most highly prized which, after a long and desperate struggle, is snatched, at last, from the very jaws of disaster and defeat.

If, in the future of our country's trials and conflicts, calamities await her, it is but the common allotment of Providence to men. The brave and the good will here always find noble work and a worthy career, and will rejoice that they are permitted to live and act in such a country as the American Republic.

SECOND TOAST:-“The President of the United States.”

General Sherman, in announcing this toast, said the President had told him he should be here at this time, and he knew he had so intended, but had been prevented by public business, however, he had sent a telegram, and he requested General Belknap to read it:

WASHINGTON, D. C., April 7, 1871.

TO GENERAL W. W. BELKNAP,

Cincinnati:

Give my congratulations to the gallant Society of the Army of the Tennessee, and regrets that public duty prevents me being with them on the anniversary of one of the hardest fought battles of the rebellion.

The battle of