The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-08-10
NINETY YEARS.
Many Old Citizens Remember The Birth
day OF HOn. Henry A. Rowland.

day OF hon. Henry A. Rowland.
There was a notable gathering of old
citizens of Providence at the residence OF
the Hon. Henry a. Rowland, 247 Pine
street, Saturday evening, on the occasion
OF Mr.. Howland's s0th birthday. The
company was in the nature of a surprise
party to Mr.. and Mrs. Rowland, en-
gineered by Secretary Cook OF the Rhode
Isla I'D Veteran Citizens Historical Asso-
citation, and the party was largely made
up of mem bers of the ssso ciation, headed
by it's president, Rev. Frederic Denison.
Among those present were: Rev. Her
bert III. Mott, pastor of Westm inster
Church; Mr.. David Cady, who was mar
ried in the house where Mr.. Howland
now resides, as ne did then, 60 years ago;
Mr.. Henry BlundelI, Mr.. Alexander Man
chester, Mr.Jac II. Martin, Mr.. William
j. Martin, Mr.. Charles e. Carpenter,
Councilman James Burdick, Mr.. James
Snow,J and Mr.. James S. Kettlety.
After season of good cheer, during
which Mr.. Paul Il. Howland officiated as
host, Secretary Cook extended on behalf
OF his fellow members of the Veteran
Citizens Association cordial congratula-
tions TO the nonagenariau, recalling to
the company Mr.. Howlands many years
OF public service which included MEM
bership In the Common Council OF this
city, and the General Assembly of his
State over generation ago, thirty-one
years of active service on the school com
mittee, some nine years of duty as
trustee of the State Reform School, and
throughout his long and busy life an ac-
tivity in public affairs that ever sought
to conserve the highest interests OF his
country, State and city and the welfare
Of his fellow-citizens.
MIR. Rowland responded briefly TO the
congratulatory tribute, saying in effect:
This, the Sth day of August, is the an
niverssry Of my birth 80 years ago. And
yet II seems but brief interval OF time
since L was a boy playing with my
schoolmates. j thank you, one and all
friends for your presence. your volun-
tary presence / may say this evening, for
no invitations have been given. 1t evinces
a friendly interest on your part, such as
i think our meetings of the Veteran
Cit:zen's Association tends TO make us
all feel for en ch other.
"This reminus me that the theme for
our next meeting in October is, How TO
unity the diverse population of the
United States 1t Is great question,
one that commands and will still more
command the serious thought OF all
good American citizens There is
striving for more unity in the relig-
ious denominations, unity in matters on
which all can agree. II strikes me that
our Veteran Citizens Association in a
limited degree is doing this very work.
We do not hold our meetings for this
purpose but we are unconscIously doing
it. We are diverse religionists Baptists,
Methodists. Upiversalists, Orthodox,
Unitarians, Congregationalists and 9TH
ers. Through the years OF our organIza-
tion there has been no clashlng OF sop
arate interests. We meet as friends, be-
lieving think In one great Spirit, in tho
brotherhood OF man and in righteousness
in the life. We have no creed binding
Us to this, but / think | can say this OF
our members. Governor Elisha Dyer,
who first brought the veterans together
to organize them, was one OF the best
OF men, devoted member OF the Epis-
copal Church, in fellowship with ali
others, friend to all. ! have known him
from mis- earliest youth, and knew no de-
Walton from gen tleman in his life."
Most OF those present contributed to the
feast OF reason aud flow of soul that
marked the occasion and President Denni-
sion and Mr.. Chevers W. Jencks read
original poems tribute to Mr.. How
land. There was an abundance OF flowers,
many who came bringing them and many
sending these always appropriate emblems
OF esteem.