The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1883-03-01

was followed by brief dedicatOrY adj
dress by I. E. Lambert, who was heartily
cheered upon his appearance GA the
platform. Mr. Lambert said that he
knew but little of military affairs, but
he wanted to congratulate the Rifles on
thcir pluck in keeping Up their organic
alton in the face Of I'll the discourage
menis they had encountered, and on the |
commendable enterprise they had shown
IN providing such beautiful hall. The |
speaker said that while the country |
might never require the services of the |
Rifles for It's defense, nc felt sure that
should such an emergency arise the COM
pany would prove equal 10 the occasion.
"The military idea, continued the
speaker, "siill clinea ,u ms, though the
results oi.tho war OF tine rebellion have
long been regarded as fully settled and
the principles for which the Union
soldiers fought are established beyond
all peradvcntuye But may safely say
that Il has been through military organ
ization that every principle of represen-
tetive government has been indicated
and the supremacy Of our grand old
flag maintained"
Mr.. Lambert referred 10 what he de
nominated the lamentabe custom of
having speeches on all public occasions
in Kansas, aud added that he especially
Deprecated the usage because the task of
making them mostly fell upon the law
yers, and be strongly suspected that this
plan was resortcd 10 by the peo-
pie to get even with this class of
professionals. In conclusion the speak
or declared that he knew nothing at
present Of the vaIor of the company,
but the time might come when its men,
bers would have an opportunity of show
ing The metal of their pasture" and he
was glad that Emporia had such good
military organization and he earnestly
hoped that it might be maintained.
At the close of Mr.. Lsmberts fclici-
tous address preparations were made for
supper, which was spread on an extend
ell table placed in the center Of the
room and which was loaded with
p1ofusion OF good things served
up in the most tempting style The bill
of fare embraced cold meats of all yari-
cites, coffee, sandwiches, cakes, pics, etc.
all of which received due attention at
the hands of those who surrounded the
board.
During the first sitiing--ihe tables be-
ing filed three several tjmes-thc scnti-
men.. "Kansas and Her Militia" was
announced and was happily responded
10 by G. Fletcher, who, after reviewing
the part which the citizen soldiers Of
Kansas had played in the redemption OF
the state from the curse Of human bond
age said:
The militia Of Kansas have good
| reason to feel proud OF this record in
| the history Of this remarkable young
| commonwealth, and, gentlemen of the
1 Emporia Rifles your military ancestry
| Is q noble one and you may well strive
| To emulate the virtues OF the military he
rOcs who made Kansas what she is. In ell
human probability you viii never he call
| ed upGn TO undergo what they did. But
| should occasion ever 0ff-r-shoull our
country ever lie Invaded by foes from
|
| in, the people Of Kansas may turn 10
| her militia and iiud IN them not only
| willing sud brave hearts but just rs
| good soldiers as. there is on the face of
the earth 10 fight her battles.
\ The sentiment, "EmpoTia and Her
Ladies" was responded TO by L. 5 Water
bury, IN manner which comporled
very handsomely with the chivalrous
instincts OF that gentleman. His tribute
10 the Emporia ladies' was exceedingly
graceful and while he was not unnind-
| ful OF the public spirit which had found
expression in Emporia in those mani
fold handsome and valuable improve
mcnis which have spread the fame Of
our beautiful town abroad, ne accorded
to the ladies' of Emporia thu proudest
position among its belongings, and
spoke heir praise in fitting and eloquent
terms.
J NJ. McCown, editor OF the Demo
Graf, acquitted himself handsomely in
responding to the sentiment, "Co E, II
Regiment, X. n. NJ, and LIS New Arm
Dry" Mr. McCown Is very fluent
and happy speaker and his
observations ON this occasion were high
~ appropriate aud were received with
gratifying tokens Of favor
After supper dancing became the or
der Of the evening, aud this enjoyable
pastima was kept up until O'Clock in
the morning, whom the paIty reluctantly
separated ana dispersed to their homes.
The Rifles were first organized in the
fall of 1879, with the following officers:
Captain, Z. p Bruner First Lieutenant,
l.. S. Page; Second Lieutenant, Chas.
Wolf. The company, after many severe
struggles, was renrganized last Scptcm-
Der with tie following officers; Chas.
Wolf, captain; G. w Meigs, First Lieu
tenant; ". r. Wilcox, Second Licutcn-
ant. IL has at present membership Of
forty men, and is ON sound financial
footing, The organization is one of
which the town may well he proud, and
the evidences of the prosperity of the
company rs revealed in their beautiful
new armory aud the interest manifested
by The members in perpetuating and
Strengthening their organization, are
sources of congratula,ioa to our citizens.