The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-04-11
FIRST LIGHT INFANTRY.
The Banquet Of the Veteran Associa-
tion Last Evening.
Distinguished Guests Present From
New Bedford and Other Places-A
Delightful Evening OF Reminiscence.

The second quarterly meeting and sup
per of the First Light Infantry Veteran
Association was held In the banquet hall
Of Cafe st. George last evening. and one of
the most interesting features was the pres
ence OF many OF the hoary headed veterans
whose identification with the active corps
covers a period OF 40 years or more. The
guests OF the association included Mayor
Brownell, ex- Mayor Ashley and Mr.. >. A.
Pierce of New Bedford, and General Olney
Arnold OF Pawtucket, who met with
cordial reception, particularly the gentle
men from the Whale City, who
royalty entertained the veteran
corps in that city two years ago.
most interesting feature was the recital
OF "reminiscences OF the early history OF
the organization, and the reunion was ex-
ceedingly enjoyable and instructive to
the 100 gentlemen who Joined in the fes-
tiyites.
The Business Meeting.
A brief business meeting preceded the
supper at which Colonel c. j. Duckworth
presided. The most important items were
the appointment Of Colonel Il. Il. Olney,
Lieutenants q. +. Hoxsie and A. j. Talbot,
Commissary Sergeant j. w. Armstrong
and Everett Is. Hodges as committee TO
nominate officers for the ensuing year,
and the postponement OF consideration of
the proposed trip TO Hartford to the next
meeting. A vote of thanks was extended
TO Gelb a Norton for the extension OF
courtesies at the last supper.
At the Banquet.
The company sat down to the tables
shortly after o'clock. AT the table of
honor sat Colonel Duckworth, Colonel j.
III. Kendrick, Colonel +. Il. Olney, the
Officers OF the Association. Prayer
was invoked by the chaplain,
Rev. $. III. Webb, ID. d., and then an hour
was profitably devoted to the discussion
OF an elaborate menu. The Falstah Banjo,
Mandolin and Guitar Club provided a
spirited musical accompaniment TO the
speech making. Colonel Duckworth ex-
tended hearty greeting to the veterans
and guests and introduced Colonel Ken
drick as the toast master. The
genial gentleman directed attention
TO the fact that the organization
had lifted many men into prominence
who otherwise might never have been
known, and instanced Gov. Brown and
Mayor Olney as prominent examples. He
then presented Mayor Olney who
made happy allusion TO
the New Bedford trip and extended
the freedom OF the city to the guests, re-
safety was assured by the presence of
well organized police and fire department
in case of an emergency.
Mayor Brownell of New Bedford.
Mayor Brownell was enthusiastically
received. He said that his first introduc-
tion to the First Light Infantry Veterans
was in New Bedford two years ago, and
he had the most pleasurable recollections
of that visit. He said their military
bearing and discipline captured both the
male and female population. lie
was not Mayor at that time, but a
member Of the City Council. The
Hon. Charles S. Ashley was execu-
tive at that time. 1t struck him,
role of hosts on that occasion, and hence
he could not see wherein New Bedford
had distinguished itself.
He eulogized the hospitality of the city
OF Providence which had given it a world
wide reputation, and said that the average
life OF the citizens OF Rhode
Island was greater than that
of any other State in the
Union. This was due to the genial dis
position, training in hospitality and
thorough enjoyment on such occa-
sions. He spoke in high compliment of
his recent reception and entertainment
by the park commissioners and hoped TO
be able to reciprocate the hospitalities he
had received from the association, either
as an executive or private citizen.
General OIney Arnold.
General Olney Arnold OF Pawtucket was
introduced as one who had done more in
the organization and equipment of vari-
Gus regiments from this State in the War
of the Rebellion than any other citizen
in the State. On motion of Commissary
Jenckes, he was promptly elected to hon.
ary membership. General Arnold
said that he was present as an old
militia officer who had been con-
nected with il more than 30 years. He
said that Rhode Island had cause to feel
proud of her military history COM
mencing with the revolution and
leading down to the civil war.
His eloquent references to General Greene,
Commodore Perry, Generals Pitman, Slo-
cum, Vial and Burnside were received
with applause. He eulogized the First
Light Infantry of Providence as the
crack regiment of New England, and, in
fact, of the Union. He expressed his ap-
probation of the honorary membership,
and would do his best TO confer honor on
the distinction which had been vouch-
safed to him. In closing, he said that the
First Light Infantry had performed an
invaluable service TO the State i'm sending
its missionaries in all directions and
stimulating patriotic spirit throughout
the commonwealth.
Colonel j. III. Kendrick directed special
attention to the Inauguration of a move
ment to place in order the grounds where