The Portland daily press., 1896-06-26

Amef Icans, owe TO our Army ana NaVyi
debt which am ever ready to aoknowl
edge, and to aid in repaylng to the best
OF my ability. [ regard the visit of our
military friends on this occasions as sus-
plcious. They have examined our mag
nlhceent harhor and outlying territory,
and doubtless from the standpoint of mill
tary men have formed opinions respect
ing it.
1t Is ever to be regretted that the Revo-
lutionary War did not unite all the North
American colonies. owing to religious
opinions, Roman Catholic Canada
would not join Puritan New England,
and sharp line of demarkation was
drawn between them. Unfortun ately
for Canada the line on the Atlantic sea-
board was run SO far north as to give her
no suitable ocean harbor q fact now
fully appreciated by her.
Lying then as Maine docs next to the
British possessions, an outpost on the
Atlantic seaboard, sho is peculiarly ex-
posed to attack in case of war with her
ne1ghbors. Once in possession of % hos
tile fleet, the harbor of Portland would
afford base for naval and military
operations which would threaten large
portion Of New England. Who can doubt
that on the first alarm of war the harbor
OF Portland would attract the attention
OF the enemy? Recognizing this danger,
the government has recently appropriat-
CN O SOhSAOcfdOA0 S0lu UU u66p6n our
Dor, and when the contemplated improve
ments are made, feet of the largest
battleships can find safe anchorage in
front of the city. l believe that when
this Is accomplished the governments
will see the great advantage, I might
say the necessity. of making Portland q
naval station. Certainly there is no
other harbor on the northern Atlantic
coast SO suitable for such station. No
better site for. the necessary buildings
and docks could be found than that OK
cur dry dook on the Cape Elizabeth
shore. have thought OF another which
may be created for this purpose,
but If not for this purpose then
for other equally important purposes. I
moan by depositing the dredgings from
the haroor between Pomeroys Rock and
Fish Point. 1t is perfectly feasible,
believe to GREATS here an area of land of
large extent, perhaps more valuable for
wharves and other purposes than any
other portion of our water front, and
every effort should be made to induce
the government to have the material
taken from the hsrbor deposited here.
II not needed for government purposes ii
will afford more convenient landings for
our local steamboat lines than they now
possess. and ready access to it can be had
by the electric cars, so that passengers
by these lines can reach the business
portion of she town in much less time
Than they now do. My opinion, how
ever, is that should O naval station be
esta blished here the government would
find this the best location for its docks.
But have occupied the time allotted
to ma, and will close by repeating to our
guests that Portland extends to them a
hearty greeting, to which / will add the
hope that they may visit us again at no
distant day.
Col. Moore next introduced Gen. Chas.
n ~
Mattooks made very felicitous and
facetioas Introductory remarks in re-
lation to the duties Of toastmaster. He
then, in graceful and fattering terms,
introduced Gen. Sickles to respond to
the sentiment sThe Third Corps He
said:
81 hasten to express our appreciation
of your very generous hospitality in ten
dering us the fresdom of the state. Your
governor displays his soldierly knowledge
when no extends that freedom. We are
touched because we see on every hand
the banners streaming in your streets,
the signs of patriots and love of country
and Of what soldiers have done that
makes US proud of our land and of you.
When | arrived yesterday L said that I
had became somew hat familiar with
Maine, because of your public men, but
it was so long since / had met a Maine
Democrat that / had forgotten now he
looked, and I would like very much to
SEQ one. Since, 1 have met Winslow,
Qaughter) have felt much relieved"
Gen. Sickles next pleasantly alluded
caused roars Of laughter by his thrusts
at the prohibitory law. He strongly COM
mended what Mayor Baxter said In re-
gard to Canada and Notifications. He
had no patience with mugwump
ideas of peace. The way to arbitrate was
to be prepared to fight, then arbitration
would be easy. Gen. Siokles in closing,
paid touching tribute to Gen. Berry's
memory, and as he urged the people of
Maine to honor the memory of his dead
oomrade his voice shook with emotion.
Gen. Mattooks, in most dattering terms
next presented Gen. Miles, who was
cheered to the echo. In responding
GENERAL MILES
said in part: II feel some hesitation in
responding to this toast. Your governor
has given you some idea of what Maine
has done for the country. He has told
you that a Maine regiment never lost
color, and be ia to its everlasting honor.
The legions Of Caesar and the Corps of
Napolean cannot point to a corps that
can excel the valiant record of the splen-
did Third Corps. The speaker paid
great tribute to Sickles's famed Excel
sior Brigade and Its noble commander.
At the Wilderness, said Gen. Miles,
there was q wounded soldier wounded
10 IN Az