The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-06-05
General Wool mt the Ancient Artillery
Celebration.


At the celebration of the two hundred and thir-
teenth anniversary of the Ancient and Honora-
bic Artillery Company at Boston, on Monday
last, Major General WooL having been intro
duced TO the company by the commander, and
received with vociierous cheering, Colonel
WRIGHT offered the following toast:
"Major General John E. TVool-The dawning Of
his fame hailed him victor the heights of
Queenstown; lis meridian splendor crowns him
surviving hero of Buena Vista"
To which General WooL replied as follows :
Mn. CommAsprRfASDF ELLow-SoLDrERs If my
heart could speak, iewould tell, in language which
could not be misunderstood, how much appreci
ate the honor and great kindness done me this day.
am sure 1t cannot be in consequence Of any merits
of my own, or any claims have Bostonians,
but from sympathy, which ever beats in the hearts
of the brave, and those who shared in the hardshps
and dangers incident to war.
am aware that, on occasions like the present, it
is no less expectednhan the fashion Of the day to
respond in spcecH To learn how to speak has
been part of NIB study, but to learn how to con-
quer the enemies Pf my country. BE this as it
may, know am among soldiers, and, like the
Orientals under the shelter Of their tents l am
sure of indulgence, hospitality, and support.
Artillery Company is the oldest military organ-
cation in North America-pcrhaps the oldest in the
world. Although it is said that the present age is
an age of progress in which all ancient things,
such armies navies, Notifications, &C., should
be abolished, yet cannot persuade myself that it
| is safe TO remove all these time honored monu-
ments. An organization like yours, which has en-
| dured more than two centuries, and commanded
| the respect and admiration Of the greatest and
purest men Of Massachusetts,, must possess quail
ties which ought to be cherished and perpetuated.
Having resided in another State, am not well
versed in the details of your history as could
wish Yet have sought information from such
sources within my reach; and the more
| have investigated, the more wonderful does the
history OF your company appear.
Many of the magnificent military institutions of
Europe have disappeared. The Streitz of Rus
sia-Janisaries of Turkey-the Ironsdes Of Crom-
well-thc Swiss Guards Of the Bourbons-the I'm
perial Guards Of Napoleon-wherc are they? They
were but the temporary slaves of imperous mas
tiers. Your company has withstood the storms
and revolutions of more than two hundred years
always appearing in the of the supporters of
law, order, and civil liberty-the type of our
try's institutions. Commanders one day, the next
private soldiers, submitting to discipline and obe
dent to those who had the constitutional right to
command them--a striking example of that re-
publican equality which has always been sought
for, but never obtained. II seems to me tina I
American statesmen might learn lessons of politi
cal wisdom from the Ancient and Honorable
Artillery.
It would appear that, in its first organization, your
company encountered strong opposition. An APP
plicaton was made in 1857 for charter but OPP
posed by the Governor and Council, because of APP
prehcnsions ''from the example of the Pretorian
bands of the Romans, and the TeInpars in Europe"
that they would become dangerous to liberty, and
in time overthrow the civil power. The scrupes,
however, Of the civilians overcome, and the
Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company OBJ
tained in 1898, a charter. The members soon be-
came favorites, not only Of the people, but of the
government; SO much 80, that honors were layished
upon them. The Artillery election, in interest
and importance, almost We'd with the general cleo
ton. Sermons preached, the Governor and
Legislature attended the annual elections as now,
They were no longer Prmtorian bands and Knight
Templars, but rather assimiated with the sacred
band Of Thebes, and the Tiarii Of the Romans
who never brought into action except in the
most perious emergencies--protectors instead of
oppressors-the guardians of liberty, and not the
instruments of dcepotsm. He concluded by giving
as sentiment the following:
"The 1ncient and Honorable artillery Company
The fire that it kinded in 1898 still shines May
it continue forever to burn brighter and brighter
to the honor, and glory, and happiness Of our COM
mon country"