National Republican (Washington City

Ladies and the Loyal Legion.

An Innovation at the Monthly Reception and Banquet.

The reception and banquet given by the Loyal Legion at the Arlington last night was a complete success, being very largely attended. The reception continued from 7:30 to 9:30 o'clock, and the guests were received in the parlors in the Arlington extension, which were thrown open and brilliantly lighted. Nearly all of the members of the Legion were accompanied by their wives, and many by their daughters. The large dining hall was gaily decorated with bunting, flags, and potted plants, while running the full length of the room were two large tables, embellished by floral pieces, and artistic arrangement of fruit, jellies, and pastry. At one end of the room was stationed the full Marine band and the Franz Abt Club of eight voices. At 9:30 o'clock the guests moved from the parlors, where they had been received by Gen. and Mrs. Hawley, to the banquet hall, and soon there were over 250 ladies and gentlemen seated around the tables. For an hour there was a continued rattling of crockery and cutlery, and one of the best menus ever prepared was discussed. When the covers had been removed the presiding officer announced the first toast of the evening, "The President of the United States," which was drank standing, the band playing "Hail to the Chief." The second toast, "The Union and the Constitution," called Justice Harlan to his feet, and for half an hour one of the best speeches which the jurist has ever delivered was listened to. The Glee Club then rendered "Our Native Land," and then the eulogy of soldier on soldier and statesman on statesman was pronounced by Gen. Edward S. Bragg. The general spoke for about twenty minutes, during which time he was almost continually interrupted by applause. In rendering "Hail Columbia" the Glee Club had the assistance to a great extent of the guests, whose voices blended nicely and made pretty music to the stirring patriotic air. The "Ladies" was the toast responded to by Commissioner of Pensions Black, and was in his usual happy vein. The Glee Club then rendered "Health to the Fairest," and then Representative Boutelle responded to the "Army and Navy." "Sailing," by the Glee Club followed, and then the guests again helped them out in rendering "Marching Through Georgia." Representative Henderson's response to the toast, "The Volunteers," was a glowing tribute to the memory of the heroes who pushed to the front, and in many cases found nameless graves. "The Grasshopper" by the Glee Club and "The Battle Cry of Freedom" were rendered, and then Gen. S. S. Burdett, the commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, responded to the toast of that order, and as Gen. Burdett knows all about his subject no characterization of his speech is needed. The Glee Club then rendered "When Johnny Comes Marching Home," in which the ladies and gentlemen's voices mingled in these words:

And we'll all feel gay,

When Johnny comes marching home.

Among the many ladies present were noted Mrs. Gen. Hawley, Mrs. Gen. Ordway, Mrs. Col. Charles P. Lincoln, Miss Bertha D. Lincoln, Miss Kate S. Johns, Philadelphia, Mrs. Thos. J. Henderson, Mrs. Capt. Tyler, Mrs. Congressman Thomas, Mrs. Gen. H. V. Boynton, Mrs. Gen. McKibbin, Mrs. Capt. Baker, Mrs. Conger, Miss Kate Field, Mrs. Harlan, Mrs. Lieut. Greely.