Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-04-09
blue and GRAY.
Tower Post Celebrates
Lees Surrender.
THE STORY OF APP0MATOX.
Fitting Enlogy on Gen. Grant Bv Rev.
+. w. Hamilton.

An open meetlng Oh lOWer fObt, NO. ~,
q. A. r., was held last evening In the Post
hall on North Main streetlin commemvra-
tion of the surrender OF Gen. Lee to Gen.
Grant Mt Appomatox Court House April
8, 1865, the anniversary OF which occurs
today, and the school flags are now float
ing with the breeze In honor OF that
event In the history Of the United States.
There was large attendance OF mem
bers, their wives and friends when Com
mander j. Frank Sibley called to order.
IL was announced that the memb bers OF the
Post would meet at the Post hall In Uni-
form Thursday evening at 1880 O'Clock for
the purpose OF attending the meeting OF
Sibley then announced that Musical
Director A. q. White would take charge
OF the exercises OF the evening I'm
honor Of the 30th anniversary OF the sur
render OF Gen. Lee, and the following
programme was rendered: Piano solo,
Miss Mabel Burnham; solo, William M.
Trafton; recitation, Miss Mamie Davis;
recitation, "My Grandpa Was Soldier"
Miss Viola Dodge; solo, Mrs. Frank w.
w ColCOtt, ICClIutiOnp hh lob hoNAot
duett, Mrs. Frank w. Westcott and Miss
M. Ella Wadsworth.
Commander Sibley then introduced
Rev. Frederick w. Hamilton who deiiv-
cred an instructive, historical address
that was listened to attentively by one
and all, and In part was as follows:
We are here to commemorate the sur.
render of Gen. Lee to Gen. Grant at APP
nnnafOX ThegQ nf fhpg8
bring to our minds the scenes OF the Re-
belllons. No veteran has anything to say
against Gen. Lee; his ability was worthy
of q better cause and only one shaoow
rests IN his memory, but Of that / will
speak later.
We have the profoundest veneration
for Gen. Grant, one of the greatest II not
the greatest soldier OF this country. ANY.
thing said against him would disprove
the results Of his work. He had the
ability although some said he was rough
and horrh in regard to the handling OF his
soldiers.
When the war broke out scheme was
decided upon, a variety Of movements to
open the Mississippi and Tennessee rivers
to capture the confederate capital and to
strangle the revolution by blockade Of
their ports. The men In charge were not
equal to 1t. Gen. Mcclellan was always
hampered by the authorities at Washing
ton, but he had the confidence and respect
of his soldiers.
Gen. Hallett came next, and general
after general followed him until the whole
army was placed under Gen. Grant. The
armies had to be consolidated, as they
were not pulling together. When opera
tions were begun at one point they were
ceased at another, but when Grant took
charge there was no more OF that work;
there was fire all along the line; all worked
together until there was nothing left for
the confederates to do but surrender.
The power OF the Confederacy wGs the
consolidation of the armies in the field
and that army had to be crushed and
Grant started In to do It. The campaign
begun In the spring Of 1854 and ended at
Appomatox. The ability that Grant
showed In leading such a vast army of
men placed him in the front rank In the
soldiers Of the world.
When the surrender took place he or.
dered all celebration stopped and said:
"The Rebels have laid down their arms
and are now our fellow citizens"
He allowed them their horses and side
arms. 1t was more than the victory of
one army over another or one country
over another; 1t was the suppression OF
rebellion. The South vas slow to forget
and the only stain on the memory Of the
soldiers OF the South Is the way they
treated prisoners. / believe 1t was their
purpose that an exchanged prisoner
should not be returned as fig hting man.
Those who were at Andersonville and
Belle Isle remember that.
The assassination OF President Lincoln
was more than crime, for he was ready
to do anything for the South and was al.
ways the President Of the whole country.
In the reins Of government hadl been left
In his hants instead of falling into those
OF the weak Andrew johnson things
would have been different. What APP
pomatox meant to Grant means the same
to US, one country for us all.
The evenings entertainment was
brought to close by the audience arising
and singing the national anthem,
"America."
Big Lumber Concern Embarrassed.