The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-05-04


the bird. Capt Fullerton tapped lightly on
the table with the handle of his knife and
the guests came to order. Then the Can,
tain, standing under the silk flag of Co. D,
with the soft electric light illuminating his
high forehead, said that the banquet was an
informal affair and called upon Capt. Blan-
chard to respond to the toast,
OUR CITIZEN SOLDIERS.
The captain said there was no distinguish.
Ing mark TO identify the citizen soldier, for
the National Guard is essent tally a citizen
soldiery. II was tie design of Washington
and Of his advisers that no great standing
army should be enrolled, but tina. militia
system should be maintained. To that end
the law was passed under which every citi-
zen between the ages of eighteen and forty.
1--WE was compelled to enroll himself in the
militia and furnish himself with uniform
and arms. That law is still in force, though
obsolete, and was enacted many years ago in
the state Of Illinois. The new law for the
maintenance of active militia is of recent
passage. He had been accused of being a
crank on military matters. He had good
reason for taking an interest in the militia.
when the United States standing army mum,
bers but $4,000 men. Militia offers a chance
to learn the rudiments of war and it should
be the desire Of all parents that, when ofs
proper age, their sons should enlist in tho
National Guard. The militia was formed
only to assist the civil power and was the
instrument of no class or party. Military
tactics should be taught in the public schools.
When the applause had died away F. A.
Kendall sang that grand old anthem, The
Star Spangled Banner, the guests joining in
the chorus until the rsfters rang with the
grand, inspiring notes. Mr.. Fullerton than
requested Mr.. I. L. MacKinlay to respond
to the toast, the
PATRIOTIC SONS OF AMERICA.
Mr.. MacKinlay said that the active service
of war is represented by the G. A. R. and
the l. n g., while the Sons of Veterans and
the Patriotic Sons of America, represent .
sentiment-the one to perpetuate and keep
green the memories Of their fathers, the
latter to keep green the glory Of American
The Sons of America believe
that the American flag should be first, that
1t should float upon every school house IN
country while school is in session. They will
fight for our country against any foe, either
foreign or domestic, against union of
church and state, and will uphold the pub
lie school system until they perish in battle.
At any time Of national danger they are at
the call of the general government agains.
any foe.
Mr.. MacKinlay's response was received
with general applause, and Mr.. Kendall sang
the "Sorg of Thousand Years" in way
that caused the guests to insist upon an
encore, when he sang "The Sword Of
Bunker Hill.' Mr.. L. A. Nattinger respond
ed to the toast
BLUE BLOOD IN AMERICA
He said that Washington was greatman,
his hands were so large that he was forced
to have his gloves made to order, as the re.
tail stores did not keep his size. He had 80
large nose that when he was among the
Indians he often refrained from blowing it
for days for fear of soaring the savages
away. He once was trusted for barrel Of
rum, but it was history and not the rum that
has shed a bustre on his nose. (Arplause)
There was great discussion in New York as
to who had the requisite amount of blue
blood to head the quadrlle, Wonder the
the dudes had not committed suicide over
the matter Every man stands on his own
bottom in America without reference to lis
fathers record. Some are apprehensive of
danger to the country from the multiplicity
of tongues and religious beliefs, but the same
condition existed one hundred years ago.
Others say that the spirit Of Valley Forge
has died out but when America needs great
men she always finds them. (Applause.)
Major Widmer responded to the toast
AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP.
1t is proud thing, said the Major, to
be an American citizen--it is q prouder
thing than to have been a citizen Of Rome.
But are we not bestowing it too cheerfully'
We are all agreed that the best government
is that which gives the individual the least
measure of res raint, and that the least gov.
erned are the best governed In order that
government may be perfect it is necessary
that we have sufficient intelligence to enact
laws, and also sufficient to obey them. DO
we not bestow citizenship upon those who
have not attained the necessary qualifcati ons
to know what they have got? Since 1901
there have come to this country and we have
received in our arms three times as many
people of foreign nations as existed in these
United States at the time of the signing of
the constitution. See now the difference be'
tween the American and the foreign born.
A school boy Of sixteen is as highly qualified
as the average foreigner to exercise the right