The Portland daily press., 1898-12-14
WESTBROOK
Complimentary Banquet to the
Cleayes Rifles.
WEsrBRO0K'S COMPANY IN THE
VOLUNTEER ARMY.
Ex-Gov, Cleaves the Guest of Honor--
Eloquent Address by Company's
Observation-Disclosures by Other
Gentlemen

Eloquent Address by company's
Observation-Disclosures by other
Gentlemen.
Last evening was the occasion Of COM
plimentary banquet rendered by the
honorary members of the Cleaves Rlf1es,
Co. NJ, to the active members, who
served in the U. S. volunteer army in
the war with Spain.
The reception and banquet was held at
the Westbrook opera house. The house
| was handsomely decorated in red, white
and blue bunting. Over the top of the
stage were draped American flags, and at
| the rear Of the ST age was draped the COM
pany's flag in front of which was the
portrait of ex- Governor Cleaves.
The guests of the occasion were ex-Goy.
Henry B. Cleaves, Carroll W. Morrill,,
ESQ.,, Lieut. Col. John d. Printable,
Major Charles Collins, Lieut.. frank r.
Lang and Lieut.. F. B. W. Welch of Port
land.
A turkey dinner was served to the
members Of the company and invited
guests. About four hundred citizens of
Westbrook occupied the seats at the rear
of the banquet tables and the seats in the
balcony during the exercises OF the eve
ming
After the banquet bad concluded, Presi-
dent Charles A. Moses of the honorary
members association called the assembly
to order and in few we'll chosen remarks
extended cordial welcome. Hon. John
e. Warren was introduced as POSTMASTER
of the evening. Mr.. Warren after Offering
brief address of welcome, introduced
Mr.. w. K. Dana to extend on behalf of
the citizens welcome to the guesGs of the
evening.
MIR. Dana said that in the history of
the world wars had been carried on for
which we had recently passed was one
that was carried on that Cuba might be
free. Mr.. Dana referred to the patience
and fortitude of the American soldiers
and said that he thought the soldiers of
our army of 1888 were equal to thu men
of 1861. ssWe welcome you home because
we believe you are the better men because
of what you went through. We welcome
you home because you have served under
one of the best Presidents that ever lived.
(Applause.) We welcome you home be-
cause you are citizens of great and
glorious republic. We welcome you be.
cause of the fact that you have fought for
one OF the lest and noblesu flags that ever
floated.
1--WE welcome you home because you
went forth willingly to do your duty, and
we believe that if you had been given the
opportunity you would have given good
| account of yourselves on the battlefield.
We hope you will never have an occasion
to go forth again, but that you will re-
man here at home and fight the battles
of life, and that this city will be better
for your having lived in it, .
The Cecilian Ladies' quartette of Port
land then rendered the Star Spangled
Banner"
The next speaker WAS Hon. II. B.
Cleaves. Governor Cleaves prefaced his
remarks by paying the members of the
company glowing tribute for the honor
which he felt in naming their company
for him. He then said: This is an in
spring scene. Soldiers of '61 welcoming
home the boys of '9S. This is magnif-
cent welcome and as you meet here to-
night to express your appreciation of the
efforts of these young men your thoughts
are carried back to the days of President
Lincoin who we'll said that "a govern
ment of the people, for the people and by
the people should not perish from the face
Of the earth
lyon witnessed then as you did in '98
| that the cause of liberty and good govern
ment prevailed. III honor to these young
men who lett home to do their duty and
to uphold the honor and integrity of the
American republic For more than thirty
years our country has not been in a war.
This time united people North and
South have fought together, united for
one common cause.
sYears ago you tested the loyalty of the
young yuen of this city and liberal re-
Spouse was made to the call. When this
call came you sent forth goodly number
and the boys now deserve welcome
he me-.
american citizenship in such day as
this is worth something. IT Congress in
the past had followed the policy of those
who represented the Pine Tree State in
streng ihening our army and navy, and
harbor Notifications we never should have
had the war with Spain. Our navy was
unprepared for a foreign war and yet
within sixty days one of the strongest
fleets of Spain was captured by the gal 7.
liant Dewey. (Appiause.) What Ameri-
can valor cannot accomplish can never be
accomplished. You did your part in the
honorable struggle. Your honorable dis
charge papers are worth more to you than
crown of jewels, and your devotion to
All Rum Down