The Portland daily press., 1870-05-05

PORTLAND MECHANIC BLUEs.-The Blues
turned out yesterday afternoon for May parade
and inspection, in their new uniforms, and ac-
companied by select number of pieces of
music, consisting of clarionet, cornet, from
bone fife, two tenor drums and bass drum,
which made excellent marching music. The
company was commanded by Capt. Parker
and turned out 60 men, presenting brilliant
appearance. The new uniforms are very be-
coming and very snowy, and we congratulate
the Blues upon the change. There were So
men mustered in, and all of them would have
appeared on parade if the new uniforms had
all been completed in time.
After marching up to the Arsenal grounds
the company were inspected most thoroughly
by Gen. J. M. Brown, and at the conclusion of
the inspection the men were put through a
severe drill by tho officers, followed by the SER
geants.
At the conclusion of the drill the company
were invited into the Arsenal by their officers,
who had provided an excellent cold collation.,
gotten up by Alexander Bell in first rate style
Among the distinguished guests who had been
present at the inspe ction and drill and partook
of tie collation. were His Honor Mayor Kings
bury, Gen. j. M. Brown, City Marshal Clark,
Col. T. A. Roberts and Adjt. G. W. Roberts.
After full justice had been done to the
viands, Capt. Parker called the company to or
der, and turning to Mayor Kingsbury said:
Mr.. Mayor,-The Portland Mechanic Blues
was the first company Of militia organized in
this State. We have received many favors
from the Governor, from the military, from the
citizens and from the City Government. We
find ourselves stationed in this city, under
your immediate command, and when you call
upon us we promise to obey.
Mayor Kingsbury replied as follows:
Officers and members of the Mechanic B,ues:-
One of the numerous defects in my educa-
ton is a lack Of knowledge of military science.
When was young m IN it had become fash
1onable to sneer at the citizen soldiery, and the
annual trainings of the militia was the occa-
sion, not of improvement in an important
branch of public education, but of sarcasm and
burlesque. But the late rebellion has taught
the nation lesson which it will be slow to for
get The controversy was precipitated upon
us suddenly and without preparation. We
took our soldiers from the field, the workshop
and the cOuntlng-rOOm, uneducated even in
the primary rules of war. True, they fought
bravely and in the end successfully; but the
education our armies acquired was at the cost
of many defeats and the loss of thousands OF
lives. Whatever victory attended our efforts
courage and educated skill combined largely
in winning it, Victories are not chance re-
suits. Grant and Sheridan, Sherman and
Thomas, whose names have become immortal
are glorious illustrations of what military ed
ucation will accomplish when united to COM
mon sense and exalted patriotism.
Henceforward the old and sneered at truism,
sin time of peace prepare for war" will trust
become recognized fact and the science Of
war become a part of the education of our
young men. Uneducated as have confessed
myself to be in military tactics, yet gentlemen
I must confess my admiration at what it has
been my pleasure to witness this afternoon. 1t
is obvious that the renOwn of this ancient mil
itary organization for discipline and skill is not
only we'll sustained but will be largely increas-
ed. As citizen of Portland I feel justly
proud of this company.
The Mayors speech was received with nine
cheers.
Col. Roberts then called on Gen. John M.
Brown. Gen. Brown replied that it would he
improper for him to say that he felt like q
stranger to the company. He had know the
officers and men since its organization, and
they always appeared well. He should so Ie-
port to the Governor in regard to the inspec-
ton and drill of this day. He then spoke of
the Governors theory in regard to the compa-
MES that had been mustered it; that they were
skeleton regiments, each man to be SO perfect
ed in the details of the profession that he could
Immediately upon occasion take command as
an officer. He thought this the true demo-
cratic principle in military affairs. 1t was
with this idea in mind that he looked with
particular pleasure on the drill of the non COM
missioned officers. He could not suggest an
improvement in the new uniform, ard would
like to-see it adopted BY the State. He would
say on the part of the Governor that they had
appeared well and that everything was to their
credit. Cheers were given for Gen. Brown.
Marshal Clark on being called upon said he
did not think that he ought to speak, because
If he should it would only be to fatter them,
and as he was member of the company it
would be flattering himself.
Col. Roberts and Adjutant Roberts made
brief and complimentary remarks. The COM
pany then went through with dress parade,
and then marched to their armory, escortiug
home His Honor Mayor Kingsbury and pay
ing marching salute to Col. Roberts at his
residence on Congress Place.