The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-01-19
xor Rux BIZ coRPoxArIoxs.

Col. Lewis Rsseass Attacks on the
Militia by Its Enemies.
The battalion drill at the Armory
Wednesday evenings OF Companies Il, ID
and e was made the occasion OF a SEN
sationai speech by Col James Hami6oa
Lewis. In which he roundly scored thcse
persons who are seeking to have the
militia abolished. and who say 1t exists
I'm the interest of corporations. His
speech was greeted by rounds OF applause
and he proved the hero OF the hour. the
milisianen cheering him to the echo.
Fully $500 people witnessed the drill and
listened TO the coloners speech. Each OF
the three companies turned out Its full
complement of metz During the dress
parade Col. Lewis, who was but recently
reappointed lieutenant colonel on the stan
Of Brigadier General Ashton. made his
appearance and the "boys'' Immediately
called on him for speech. He was for
mally introduced by Maj E. s. Ingraham
and after complimenting his superior,
Gen. Ashton. he said:
II am compelled, in the opportunity this
occasion gives. to remind you. soldiers.
that you are not without your opponents;
you are surrounded by strong contin-
gent OF citizens OF this state who are
seriously questioning your usefulness. or
the fitness OF your longer existence. These
have, In their delegated ambassadors. be-
sieged the gates of the capitol. and
shadow the threshold OF the legislative
house; combining in opposition to any ap-
preparation or legislation which looks to
your further continuance. or reward for
your past services. To these unreaective
rsporIa yaiI ara hatd rs.n t,.u% rrvx,
ment in yourself and a burden to the
state. They openly charge that you
serve no purpose greater than that OF
the peacock. to strut In your giided Light
and be persuaded that you are beautiful
In the ffsstter OF your colors. They deny
the taxpayers. duty TO maintain you.
They SANDER the purpose of your organ
ization They do not hesitate TO charge
that you are now, In view OF the cleo
ton OF your new brigadier general, but to
be an annex to a ceytain railroad enter
prise for the nienacing of fits employees.
and the service OF Its personal desires
That such was the ultimate end agreed
upon when the year began with your
new election of officers. This unholy
SANDER believe Is pregneditated. AS
much as deprecate 1t, advise you not
soldiers and meet these libels and refute
them. AS for me--and I am sure speak
for all OF you-should the hour come when
the sovereignty of the state and the
manhood of free citizenship would be
ordered TO surrender to the dictates OF
any private institution or other enterprise
or against the plain duty OF men ard
contrary to the plain demand of the law
in such scene would hasten to sur
render my sword and fling back my en-
sign of authority at the feet of the state
In disAadn and tefianca oShesrs.). But
CONSCIOUS as we are That the purpose of
the future. as has been the object OF the
past ia the military Organisation. is but
to preserve the law, uphpist the insstftu-
tSarss OF the state. and stand as a guard
against the oslt-agsng OF faass peace of So
cicty. we viii defend It's existence against
its maligners and insist tina, by che hon
cradle record OF it's unslyazsd PAST. 81 he
honored by the people ARA maintained by
the state as becomes the dignity of q well
ORGANISED militia preserved for the peace
OF rsse state"
After the coiorssl's speech, orders were
read relating % the resignation OF FIRST
Lieutenant and ouarfxrnaster Herman
Chaplin. and the promceaon OF Quarter
master Sergeant Albert Bryan also fhe
pFszncsaon of cozor Sergesn< Clough to
reginaentai quarse-rnaSter sergeant. Fos-
lowing the drS3l was a baa during vhlxs,
a !isSch was served by the lady managers
OF the Sarah r. Yesler af,yrie, che pro-
ceets 10 SO toward the payment OF taxes
OF. the inst ttftsser,