The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1891-12-07
PHENlx.

PHtNlx.
There was large audience completely
filing Grand Army hall on Saturday even
ing the occasion being the anniversary OF
the organization of McGregor Post, q. A.
II. No. Ia.
Quartermaster William Johnson was
the digniied chairman. Commander
Joseph B. Holmes welcomed the guests in
cordial words and then spoke of the future
of the G. A. X. societies, giving a word
picture of the time when the Sons OF Vet
Grams, then past middle age, would form
long ranks of marching members TO escort
the last living representative OF the q. "A.
r., and that but thirty years could pass
before the old veterans would lie with
their battles fought and won, their inn
mortal peace, the victory. An instru-
mental duet by Messrs. Greene and Harri-
son followed; next, solo by Quartermaster
Wood, in Irish dialect; recitation, Mamie
Brown.
The Rev. Mr.. Adams of the Congrega-
tional Church was then introduced and
spoke substantially as follows: Such
anniversaries as the carry me far back to
the organization of these posts and to the
time when our boys in blue marched as
saw them in solid lines down Broadway
en- route for the seat of war. They were
Rhode Island boys from the New Hamp-
shire hills, from all over New England,
going forth bravely and loyalty to do the
duty they saw before them.
We can remember the awful dread Of
the terrible consequences of civil conflicts,
a dread which submitted the North to re-
peated indignities, rather than oyer
whelmn our land in bloodshed. But at
last there came a time, w hen the shot was
fired at the flag, and a death aimed at the
nations life, and men sprang up every
where to give up life willingly for the res
cue of their native land. Aliens of every
nation, represented here, joined the Yap-
kee regiments, to do, dare and suffer all
things. There WAS duty for those at
home also, and they never failed. The
bleeding hearts OF mothers, wives and
sisters, the prayers that were sent up
hourly to God-it is all indescribable. And
after all there was the vacant chair, that
impassive object, around which such pa
thetic and tender associations clung
There was scarcely one in those times, but
could put on mourning for a relative or
friend, many without the comforting priv
leRe Of being able to visit the loved ones
lonely grave. 1--WE read history there"
said the speaker, in conclusion, ''and may
the heroic story never be forgotten, as
time marks the far receding years. We
give God great thanks that we are unit
ed people"
There was a recitation following, by
Minnie Ward, vocal duet by Misses An
ME Belle Arnold and Bertha Bowen, after
which William V. Slocum was intro
duced and spoke rs follows Il congratu-
late McGregor Post on its successful ex-
istence; il is named for one of the mob
lest Of men; in the nomenclature of q. A.
X. Posts, generals, statesmen, disting-
uished civilians, are honored, but not in
all the land Is one possessed of its title
from better original" The noble career
of DR.. McGregor IN his official place, dur
ing the war, was then sketched briefly.
her hn In,
blue; they will always be our boys" for
they are gone where there will never be
old age for them, to the country where
peace reigns, and they have their reward
for bravery and courage. Some lay up on
the hillside here, some in the far south,
hallowed forever"
Mr.. Slocum then paid an eloquent
tribute to the mothers and wives of the
veterans, whose hearts he said "were Just
as sturdy and brave as their boys who
were far away fighting the great battle of
liberty" Pleasant incidents of the pro-
gram were the solos of Misses Mcclure
accompanist. McGregor Post has long
been noted as most hospitable society;
on this occasion they sustained their re
putation, serving fine refreshments to all
present after the exercises were con
cluded. The post, on this occasion, met
IOr Uue UTsb tlfue WlJH tnelr new DOHru OF
officers which was elected on Friday even
ing; here are the names and POSITIONS
Commander, j. b. Holmes; senior vice
commander, T. w. Wood; Junior vice
commander. G. ID. Greene; quartermaster
VIM. Johnson chaplain, VIM. III. Northup;
surgeon, Albert q. Sprague: officers OF tha
guard, o. p. Brown: delegates TO the en-
campment, John Aspinwall, z. Fitz-
patrick, VIM. johnson, Thomas n. Wood,
VIM. 4. Sweet, O. Z. Brown; alternates,
j. NJ. Burdick. A, 5. Luther, John Bon
ner, J. H. Tenant, w. A. Taylor, Joseph
Gardiner.
During the year now closed four mem
bers of McGregor Post have died. IL is
expected, or at least hoped, that this Post
will be able TO send fifty men TO the Ma
tional Encampment.
There are n number of cases Of scarlet
fever in this vicinity. among children, but
fortunately the disease has taken on a
light type, more like scarletina than a
settled fever. Among those ill is the little
daughter of Oscar Fletcher, who although
mute is n lovely and interesting child.
There have been few days, even in the
midsummer excursion season, when there
was as much driving as on Sunday, an
endless procession of teams being out after
I o'clock; that the weather was mild may
be vouched for, by the fact that one double
carriage load used two white bed spreads
AS lap robes, giving the turnout an ex-
tremely festive appearance.
Messrs. n. X. and {. j. Hoxie have been
having made quantity of cider the past
week which IL stored In casks in the cellar
of their Phenix store building, TO progress
into vinegar
ANSapLE's have a good assortment OF Boots Of