The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-12-14

Capt. wocott was now SURPRISED at the
following speech made by First Lieut..
Allen:
'If the captain will allow me, / wish
to correct false impression made by his
remarks. Capt. Wolcott has omitted enc
very important thing-he mas forgotten to
speak of himself and the great influence
his work and personality has had in the
growth of the battery.
''To ono who has watched this growth
even casually, that influence has teen
apparent as the directing force. The bene-
fits have been clear, although carefully
veiled by the chief actor in natural re-
tirement, ana the tbrus,ing forward of
Others TO receive whatever OF credit may
be rendered. He has taken the back
ground again. but 1t ~ only just that he
should receive the credit to which he is
entitled.
''It falls to but few leaders to be really
beloved by the men they direct. 100
rarsly is 1t the casa that the members OF
militia company have for their captain u
fesling I'll at causes them 10 look up t.
him as comrade and friend, as we'll AS IA
leader, and which makes them anticipate
his wishes In the absence of direct orders.
''When such an instance is found 10 Is
usually the case that tho commanding
officer Is one who has risen in the organ
ization. ana while maintaining the dig
nlty OF un OlllCor, stlll tHt
siasm of n rev recruit who asks no man
TO do more than no does himself. Such n
man is Capt Wolcott. and these are the
rea SONS why he is beloved by his mon as
an example Of tho highest type Of soldier
ly manhood
"Gentlomeu. propose a toast Capt.
Henry Wolcott.
'Everyone in the militia. even includ
ing the captain himself. knows how we
feel toward him. But even he. with his
big generous heart, does not know now
much we love him. III we lind fault. we
do IL reluctantly, but we think he should
get another sword in place OF the one he
wears.
''If he will retire IL for this. tanding
Cant Wolcott the new ono. I've will bs
more than pleased. Ii Is tina gift of avery
member of the battery, every man loyal.
true anc faithful tn his caDtain. The
names Of all are etct cd on the blade. Nav
it bring with II. Captain, n realization OF
the true place YOU hold In our hearts aud
may the old superstition that the giving
OF edged tools cuts friendship be without
forcs in this case.
The name Of everv man In the battery
Is etched on the sword, which IL accom-
panied with n dress belt. Capt. Walcott
accepted 70 with these words:
~ candidly say uon't know what TO
say, - he commenced. 1T Ia customary
to say you are very much surprised. and
that is true in my case. In life that
has not been short and in which 1 have
seen much OF the world, have never been
the recipient Ca many gifts, and Will
value this the more highly. i have al
WAYS been proud OF the battery and VIII
pe still more so now. / am extremely
happy In the fact that every mans name
is engraved on the blade. l can hardly
realize now that / own IL. The other
sword has been good enough To bring the
battery up Co its present condition, but
this will make IL better. "
Capt Murray, U. ;. A, spoke on the
unity OF the country as subject very
near TO him.
The exercises closed with q toast to
1.-THE ladies'