The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-06-17
Putnam Phalanx Gives
Elaborate Banquet.
F. L. l., the COntinentals and
AmOSkeagS Entertained.
Felicitous Speeches by Members OF
the Organizations.

The interior of the Trocadero was gay
and martial last night with the scarlet of
the Light Infantry and the blue and buff
of the Putnam Phalanx. IL was glori.
Gus occasion with the mon from Hartford
as the hosts of the evening.
The company presented vivid object
lesson in American history and made
more vivid perhaps than ever before the
battle on the hill of which today Is the
122d anniversary.
The uniforms of the Putnams are exact
copies OF the boys Of '76, and the people
from Connecticut arc OF tho rugged, hale.
hearty and not-afraid of -the-devil sort
that would Indicate that they would like
nothing better In their own generation
than the chance 10 leave their plow and
follow another Israel Putnam out 70 whip
somebody. And on the other hand, with
out the slightest reflection on the Ameri.
can loyalty of the K. l.. l. by the COM
parison. the scarlet coats were suggestive
OF the traditional British army.
Major Beckford Speaks.
After good dinner Mai. Bickford, com
manding the Phalanx. said that the Put.
nam Phalanx had observed the BunkerHill
anniversary ever since IL was organized.
III lhcJ ltS NeTy tAisbcuto ucBondS vi tb00
observance, for the charter from the Leg
isiature Of Connecticut provides and calls
for It, The major then reviewed the history
of his organization and told OF the differ
ent trips they made each year On the sew
eDteenth OF June.
lie then introduced as th3 toastmaster
of the evening Capt Il. NJ. Huntsinger,
paymaster of the Phalanx
He said that it was the wish OF the OIL
GERS ana men Of the organization from
Hartford &c manifest 40 Tar as possible
their appreciation OF the hospitality OF
the First Light Infantry OF Providence
Before calling on the speakers Capt.
Huntsinger demonstrated that he was
familiar with the early history OF Rhode
Island as we'll as that of his own state
and he paid a tribute 10 the memory OF
General Nathaniel Greene.
In behalf of the Putnam Phalanx he
extended to tho Infantry colonial well
come from the land Of steady habits.
The Chaplain's Remarks.
Chaplain Stidham of the Phalaux was
tho first speaker and he responded for the
state of Connecticut
The chaplain is a witty speaker and
every red coat and blue coat in the
room shook with laughter before the
preacher got through with his jokes
and settled down to his toast when he
proved just as effective In serious and
patriotic eulogy of New England and his
own commonwealth.
He emphasized the fact that this section
of the United States had always looked
alter It's education and every village has
always had its public schoolhouse. In
reference to this he said that the true
basis Of the success OF tho American
soldier in the Revolution and of the
northern soldier In the Rebellion was the
fact that that soldier was an intelligent
man.
Gov rnOr Dyer Greeted.
At this point Governor Dyer, accom-
panied by his staff, entered the hall.
The orchestra played "Hail TO the
Chief" and both commands rose to their
feet and gave him three times three and
tiger.
The governor smiled his acknowledg-
ment Of the ovation and said that IL he
was not an old militiaman he certainly
should have gone under the table.
His ExceIlency then assured tho guests
that the State of Rhode Island is glad to
welcome the Putnam Phalanx. You have
been here before, he said, we know all
about you and want you to come again.
You remember, gentlemen of the
phalanx the visit you made to Provi
denoe in 1858. and we were together again
when the monument Of General Putnam
was dedicated. And on that occasion
when your organiZatio came down tha
line IL brought with IL the spirit of
Genral Israel Putnam himself and that
Is the spirit OF 1116
With such organizations in existence
throughout the country to keep alive the
memory Of the heroism of the forefathers
and To give constant inspiration for
patriotism, the Institutions OF this Repup.
lie are in no danger.
In conclusion the governor assured the
Putnams shat they could not fall into
better hands than those Of the Infantry
men of Providence.
Captain Huntsinger introduced Mayor
McGuinness TO respond for the city of
Providence. His Honor said that It gave
him the greatest pleasure to extend tho
welcome of the city at large to the guests
of the First Light Infantry.
The feeling of fraternity between the
two organizations, he said, Is felt and
appreciated by every ctizen Of Providence.
Mayer Preston's Speech.
Mayor Preston. of Hartford, VINO Is also
member of the Phalanx, responded for
the capital city of Connecticut. Ho
thanked Mayor McGuinness for the tom
porary use of the city OF Progidonce and
said that he would like to take IL home
and make IL part of the Greater Hart
ford.
Col. II. III. l. Goddard who responded
for the +. L. l., said In para: We, of tho
Infantry. echo the words of welcome give
you by the mayor and We add To II more
personal welcome as the result of the
trJendship which for so mary years has
existed bewteen The orgaDi8gtions.
The citizen sold err OF this country have
the common bonu of patriotism which
prevails in every..stato and 1t is fostercd
and strengthened by these reunions
Captain Sidney H. Clarke, historian Of
. the pbalanx and we'll known attorney
of Hartford, was the next speaker He
said that the Phalsnx has large heart
and there are cherished In 10 the names of
many ilIustrious organizations. But
first Of all Is the name Of the First Light
Infantry of Providence who royalty
entertained tho Phalanx thirty-seven
years ago. Since that time the men Of
afford have realiSed that IL any body Of
men Ia this country knows moro than any
other about the meaning Of tho word,
hospitality" it is the Infantry OF Provi-
dence
The rest of Captain Clarke's address
was historical and dealt principally with
the results OF the willingness ot the heroes