The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-01-03
THE COMPANY OLD ENOUGH TO VOTE.
Twenty.Flrst Anniversary Celebrated
by the Portland Cadets.
President Dow's History of the Com
mand In the Past
Heard by Members of Today, the
Veterans and Their Friends.

tertaining words were made to d o duty in its
celebration.
There were seventy odd members of the
company, actives. honoraries and invited
guests, at the Preble House where the
banquet was served last night, and from the
reception. anecdote and "reminiscences re-
celyed at their hands they are all alive and
proud of their company.
AS the smoking began after the dinner and
Grimmer's martial strains ceased President
Dow rose to read the usual complement of
letters of regret. They came from Senator
Hale, Mayor Melcher, Hon. j. W. Deering,
Rev. Mr.. Ketchum, Mai. w. NJ. Dunn, Col.
f. E. BoUthby, Capt. N. d. Winslow. Lieut..
Ernest binds, Lieut. Curtis. Payson Tucker,
ESQ.,, Gen. Henry d. Cleaves, Rev. John r.
Crosser and Hon. Seth l.. Milliken. All
counted it disappointment not to be present
and one and all wish the boys joyous &C,
casion and much New Years prosperity.
President Dow then spoke as follows:
President Dow's Address.
GentIemen:-The wheels. of time have
brought us to the end of another year, and
to this. the 2lst anniversary of our organizl-
tion. Today the weak infant company, born
twenty-one years ago becomes of age
Twenty-one years! What changes have
taken place in that time. AS look back 1t
seems but short time ago that we old Ca
diets were marching shoulder to shoulder in
the drill hall Of the cid city building prepar-
ing for an exhibition drill, and at this time
1t seems to me proper to go back and review
the career of the company, and 1 will be as
brief as possible SO as not to weary you.
This company was organized Janury 4,
1870, by John Anderson, and was composed
OF boys, then members of the High School.
Charles Todd, sergeant in the Portland Light
Infantry, was selected as drill master,
John Anderson was elected captain
and under the tuition of Sergeant Todd the
company made rapid progress in the science
OF military drill. The first exhibition drill
was given in City Hall in 1879, before an aus
dience which completely filed the large hall
the daily papers speaking very highly of
the drill and highly complimenting Captain
Anderson for his skill in handling his compa-
mp. From this time the company took a
high place in the estimation of military crit
les. Captain Anderson was an officer who
those under him; honest, intelligent, fear
less, he laid the foundation for strong COM
pany which, in after years, showed the re-
suits of his training. The principal event
occurring in the history of tn company
while under his charge was 1.-THE winning of
the state championship, July 4th, 1872. He
resigned his command soon after, and car
ried with him to his new home in the South
the entire respect of all. IL is great
pleasure for us all to know that he has been
we all hope that his pathway through life
will be bright and clear and that success
will attend him wherever he goes.
Frank w. Robinson succeeded Captain An
derson in command. and good selection it
proved to be, for Captain Robinson main
tanned the high standard which had been at
tanned. He retired from the command of
the company to pursue his studies in the
Harvard Law. School. During the timo
spent with us he showed the same sterling
and which our citizens and the county fully
recognized by electing him to the RESPONSE
BILE position which he now so ably fills. Let
us all hope that he will soon be restored to
his usual health.
Neal d. Winslow, who was elected captain
to succeed Robinson, was a natural
born tactician, commander of men,
and who of us old members OF
that gallant old 80 of 1875, will ever forget
Captain Winslow's skill, bis devotion to his
duties, through storm and sunshine day and
night; looking after the welfare of the COM
pany he loved so well.lH in return, received
the absolute and individual confidence of US
all; he was willing to receive and give ad-
vice, kind TO all and yet managing the com.
pany with strict military rules. think
am justified in saying that Capt. Winslow
was the best officer the Cadets ever had. The
principal events occurring while he had
command. were the victories over the Sheri
dan Cadets and Montgomery Guards. 1t is
members, his old associates, to know that
our old captain, who served us so faithfully
and brilliantly is not able to be with US to-
night How gladly would we give him a
generous, soldierly Cadet welcome, but the
nature of his disease Is such that he can
not, endure excitement of any
kind. Let us send him word of good cheer
and live in hopes that by the time our next
anniversary comes around he will be found
among an HnsG Us Singing tRe praises 81 the
well and nobly done, thou good and faith
full servant"
Capt. Winslow being compelled to resign
his command, Hartley G. Eaton was chosen
as the next commander. Nnder Capt. Eaton's
charge the company fiourished, new uniforms
were obtained, and a new lease of life taken.
Members were added rapidly and the high
state of drill fully maintained. The principal
events occurring during Capt. Eaton's term of
office were the visit of the Manchester Cadets
and our visit to Manchester, N. HI. Capt.
Eaton resigned his command after serving
us well and faithfully for nearly two years
to accepta position in the far West Cap
tain Winslow was again elected to the COM
OF Captain Eaton, and he, in turn, was sue
ceeded in after years by Frank Mosely, Har-
ry G. Eastman, Frank FL. York, George G.
Barrows, In the order named All these
gentlemen showed that they were worthy of
the confidence Of the members, During
Captain EastmaD's term of Office the compa-
ny won competitive drill from our old an
tagonists, the Moutgomerys, the drill taking
place in City Hall during fair held by Bos-
worth Post.
Captain Dow then referred to the reunions
of the company in the past, and mentioned
their entrance into the regular state militia.
Speaking of the defeat of the company in
competitive drill by the Montgomery Guards,
he said that every cloud has its silver lining,
and before another year rolls around the
friends OF the Cadets expect to see them |
again champions of the state. Continuing
he said:
Aud now word to the old members. Gen
tlemen: You we'll remember how pleasant it |
used to be for us when we were struggling |
along to receive words of encouragement and |
financial aid from our honorary members. |
Remember the present company, help them |
all you can, give words of encouragement |
and show an interest In the present corps by |
visiting their armory once in a while. Don't |
let them think that the Cadets have no |
place in your memory. 1t is not so, for l |
doubt II there is a member young or old here |
present tonight who does not look back upon
bis time spent in the Cadets, as one of the |
pleasantest experiences Of his life.
Ex-Captain Winslow's name was cheered |
TO the echo when President Dow stopped in
bis address and called for three hearty
cheers for him as the best captain of the
company. Everybody was on his feet in
moment to john In the enthusiasm.
Mr. John Anderson was the first intro
iuced and was extremely well received. He
lad missed number of the company's for
ner Publications, land con sidered himself very
fortunate in being able to be present on this
occasion. Mr.. Anderson was the first cap
ain of the company, and had many a pleas.