mourned when he died. May his memory ever be held sacred by the people of the great republic!

While speaking of the men who saved the state of Missouri to the Union, a passing tribute is due to the naturalized citizens of the United States, then resident in the city of St. Louis and in Missouri. It should always be remembered to their honor that, while others faltered and many took up arms against the Union, the naturalized citizens rallied around Blair and Lyon, filling up the ranks of regiments which they were authorized to muster into the service, and rendered faithful service until the battles for the Union were fought and its victories won.

Our last annual meeting occurred just after the inaugural ceremonies of the president of the United States, who had been chosen by a free people in the manner prescribed in the constitution of our country. The event of a change of administration had been serenely passed. No war cloud, not even a voice of discontent, had been raised to threaten our peace, as had been the case four years previous. An era of general good feeling had seemingly been ushered in. A fellow-soldier of another army had been chosen chief magistrate. So fair was his record of a soldier, so unblemished his reputation as a statesman, so kindly, genial and just was his nature as a man and a friend, so exalted the position to which his talents and ability in the affairs of state had elevated him, all the people throughout the great republic seemed to enjoy a soothing, restful sense of repose and security. He was a man whom the people believed they could trust with their most sacred interests, and they had, as an army knowing itself to be well guarded at the outposts with true and tried comrades, lapsed into repose, and set about their ordinary pursuits, feeling that all was well. President Garfield was on guard. But, alas! for a purpose not revealed to man, the nation was not long permitted to enjoy this sense of quiet and security. The president, for whom the nation yet mourns, was stricken down by the assassin's bullet, wounded unto death. Then ensued a long, weary vigil.

All conditions of men, everywhere, were shocked at the crime, The whole nation sympathized in his suffering, and a long, feverish unrest disturbed the people; a settled gloom pervaded the country, affecting and depressing all branches of business and commerce. With bated breath, the effect of this calamity upon the country was discussed. Amidst and above it all there arose a

voice of confidence from the people. They had vividly in their minds a scene, equally dark and bloody, occurring when the worst passions of men were wrought to their highest pitch by a long and bloody struggle. They had passed from the gloom of threatened anarchy to the bright and tranquil day of good government. Faith in the capacity of our people for self-government rose higher, as they recalled those dark days. Anxious fears as to what the result would be in the event of the death of the president, gave way to a feeling of quieting trust that all would be well. The men of the war yet lived, who had saved the country as a unit, and had saved it from anarchy in a darker and more trying hour. To these men, the nation looked in case of danger.

Finally the end came. The head of the nation was dead. The skill of surgeons and the prayers of the people had been unavailing Garfield was no more! Again the nation passed out of the gloom and dark shadows of a great sorrow, a chastened and a better people, and found all well in the hands of him who, through God's providence, succeeded as chief executive, in the peaceful manner prescribed by the constitution, and to whom, to-day, we look with so much confidence for good government.

Thus may it ever be with our country. May it ever be able to dispel the dark clouds and gloom that may obscure, for a time, the bright sunlight of good government and progress toward the highest, purest and freest estate to which human laws and human wisdom, with the aid of Almighty God, can elevate a people. If wars must come as punishment for national sins, may our country arise from the appalling atonement of blood, regenerate, pursuing its upward and onward course.

Comrades, as the years go by, the survivors of our Society meet at stated periods, for the renewal and perpetuation of the friendships formed, perchance, on the battlefield, or on the weary march, or around the camp fire. For this, among other things, our Society was organized. At each succeeding roll call, some fail to answer, and our circle grows smaller. Those who were very young soldiers in the days of the triumphs of our grand army, are now at or past life's meridian. Since our last meeting, some of our most distinguished comrades have fallen. General Hurlbut has fallen at his post of duty in a foreign land, leaving his reputation and fame in the hands of his comrades. No lying seeker of

notoriety, before a congressional committee, shall tarnish his fame without an earnest protest from us, his surviving comrades.

General Orzo J. Dodds, who delivered the annual address at our last reunion, has been called to join his comrades on the other side.

General Kilpatrick, who so often fought by our side, though belonging to another army corps, has also fallen at his post of duty in a foreign land, where he was a second time representing his government in the highest diplomatic capacity.

The sound of the muffled drum and the funeral notes, heard at the burial of that accomplished and gallant officer, Major Twining, have scarce died away on the air. Though not a member of the Society, he was a soldier of the republic, and the national character of his services makes the mention of his name and services proper on this occasion. He was perhaps best known to most of us as the engineer commissioner of the District of Columbia. To him was assigned the duty of superintending the public improve. ments of the capital city of the nation. He took up the work where it had been laid down by much abused but noble men, and carried it forward to the satisfaction of the nation. The works of his genius will long remain splendid monuments to his name and fame.

We will cherish their memories and preserve the record of their virtues.

I know not how many others have passed away, as the record of the year has not been accessible to me. Time is running hard against us, and his hand can not be stayed. As we meet and

look into each other's faces, we see the lines are deeper, the step less elastic, and that we are beginning to grow old, though some of us may deny it, as the General of the army did, a few weeks since, when I saw him skipping over an icy walk, and ventured to suggest that he should wear rubbers. His reply was, that he would when he had arrived at the age of discretion. He was not old enough yet.

As time goes by and our numbers diminish, may our love for each other increase until the end is reached, when there shall be none to answer adsum, and none to call the roll.

General Williams was loudly applauded as he took his seat. The regular exercises being finished, the President was about to adiourn, when calls from the audience were made for General

Sheridan and a speech. The General, however, only bowed acknowledgement and expressed his thanks. Calls were also made for, and in succession Generals Pope, Belknap and Gresham, Colonel Dyer and others expressed their thanks for the compli

ment.

General Belknap spoke as follows:

SPEECH OF GENERAL BELKNAP.

The memories of the harsher features of the realities of the service are softened by the influence of the jars which have intervened. And while you mention those who have gone, the trials of their taking off are lost in the recollection of their gallant actions and heroic deeds.

And well may these thoughts come to us here, for here he lived who won our honor and regard. The statue of Frank Blair will tell to coming generations the story of his fame. History has its heroes, but his name would be carved high up, upon the list of manly men, in any heroic age. Ordered to the command of the 17th corps, and known to but few of his men, he came to us with scarce a friend; he left it without an enemy. The fond and faithful hearts of those who were with him in field, and march, and fight will protect his memory, and see that not a leaf falls from the wreath which rests upon his brow. The men who carried the musket remember his valor, and have no words for him but those of affectionate regard. And thus, while we weave the cypress with the laurel, we thank you, citizens of St. Louis, for this greeting, and for the honor of this welcome.

Genl. Noyes and Bishop Fallows made short speeches which were well received.

Mr. Pope recited "Sheridan's Ride" very effectively, receiving rounds of applause.

"Marching through Georgia" was then sung by the Glee Club and audience in chorus, and the meeting adjourned.

ST. LOUIS, MO., May 11, 1882.

The Society met promptly, according to adjournment of yesterThe President called upon the Secretary to read the

day.

proceedings of yesterday's meeting.

On motion of Col. H. T. Noble:

Resolved, That the reading of the proceedings of the meeting be dispensed with.

The President asked if the committees, as named, were ready to report. Colonel Reynolds presented the following:

Your committee, appointed to select a time and place for holding the next reunion of the Society, beg leave to recommend the 3d and 4th of October, 1883 (the anniversary of the battle of Corinth), as the time, and Cleveland, Ohio, as the place for holding the next reunion.

Signed,

THOMAS REYNOLDS,

Chairman.

ST. LOUIS, May 11, 1882.

On motion of Surgeon Sabine:

Resolved, That the report of the committee be received and adopted.

Other committees not being ready to report, the President said he would give place, for the time being, for the order of "New Business."

On motion of General Sanborn:

Resolved, That the Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer, be, and hereby are, constituted a Board of Publication, with authority to cause to be published, bound and distributed a third volume of the reports, proceedings, and annals of the Society, and that, as often hereafter as the published proceedings of the Society, unbound, are sufficient to make a bound volume to the size and appearance of volumes one and two, said Board have the authority to bind and distribute the same.