The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-05
CELEBRATED
CENTENARY
Marine Society Had Splen-
did Observance.
EXERCISES in CHURCH.
Col. Van Slyck's Stirring Address
on Society's History.
SIMPSONS VICTORY CHEERED.
EXERCISES in CHURCH,
SIMPSONS VICTORY cHEERED.

The Providence Marine Society. one
of the Oldest organizations in the city,
observed its Tooth anniversary yester-
day I'm most fitting manner, and the
members have every reason to be
proud OF the great success which at
tended every feature OF the days pro-
gram. Shortly before 10 o'clock the
members gathered in the rooms OF the
society in the Infantry building, and
then, TO the number of 20, marched TO
the First Baptist Church, headed by
Fairman's band. the Stars and Stripes
and the banner of the society being
conspicuous in line.
On entering the church the veterans
marched to the seats reserved for them
TO the strains of the "Marche Solen-
nellie, played on the organ, and when
all were seated the glee club arranged
for the occasion, which consisted OF
first tenors,t James Il. Armstrong,
George f. Higgins. John j. Dalton: sec
ond tenors. Edgar l.. Blanchard, Thos.
II. III. Daniels, Howard A. Goff. Will
liam T.. Maine; first bass, Benjamin
Fessenden. DR.. James A. Lynch, Wal
ter G. Robbins, Edgar Webster; second
bass, William III. Gilbans, DIR. Michael
B. Milan. John l.. Rogers, Alexander
G. Steele; organist, Mr.. Albert 8. Met
calf; tenor soloist, Mr.. Walter F.
Towne; baritone soloist and musical
director. Mr.. William r. Lane, sang
"To Thee, . Country
Seated on the platform were Capt.
Ray Allen, president; Col. G. M. Van
Slyck, the orator of the day; Rev. DR..
Wallace Nutting, Rev. James X. Ever
and Capt. John III. Purlxis, treasurer.
Prayer was offered by Rev. w. Nut
ting the glee club sang the hymn
In nd n nf nd
pendence was read by Rev. James n.
Ever. Messrs. Lane and Towne sang
Faure's "Crucifix" as a duet, after
which Col. Cyrus M. Van Slyck was
introduced
COL. VAN SLYCK'S ADDRESS.
Col. Van Slyck began his address by
congratulating the society upon hav-
ing reached its centenary, and then
sketched at some length the history
OF the organization, and said: I'VE
cannot help believing that the coin
cidepce OF the anniversary day on
which was celebrated the signing of
that most important document. the
Declaration of Independence, being
chosen as the day on which the society
should hold Its annual meeting, was
significant OF the patriotic spirit that
possessed it's members" Col. Van
Slyck made reference to the occasions
in its early history. when the Marine
Society paraded, one of them being
January Z. 1900, when a grand parade
was made in honor of Gen. George
Washington, who had just died. In
April. 1902 the Providence Marine
Corps of Artillery was formed, with AZ
men and officers from the Providence
Marine Society.
1T has been said" continued the ora
tor of the day, that the Providence
10. .fs.A 80 .-tsIt
mother of the Rhode Island batteries.
May we not say then that the Provi-
dence Marine Society was their grand
mother?" Col. Van Slyck Il 4 spoke
OF the different places in wlich the
society had held it's meetings, begin
ming with Rays coffee house, where 1t
was organized. In 1906 ii began to- hold
its meetings in the hall occupied by the
Masonic fraternity, and when the Ma
sons moved to their hall on Dorrance
street the Marine Society followed and
remained there until a short time be-
fore the building was consumed by fire.
Col. Van Slyck closed by wishing the
Providence Marine Society as much
success during the coming century as
II has had in the one just coming to
an end.
The glee club sang America and
followed with Onward, Christian Sol
diers," while the members of the or
ganization left the church, benediction
having been pronounced by Rev. Mr..
Nutting. The members then returned
10 Infantry Hall, where the centenary
dinner was served and was most
heartily enjoyed. When the feasting
came to an end ex-Postmaster Charles
III. George was introduced. and he
spoke upon the bravery of the United
States army and navy. His remarks,
he said, had been melted by the an
nouncement made by Rev. Dr. Nutting
on receipt OF intelligence to the effect
that Cervera's entire fleet had been
taken by Sampson, and that Admiral
Cervera himself had been captured.
CHEERS FOR SIMPSONS VICTORY
At this announcement everybody
cheered again and again, all standing
TO do honor to SIMPSONS great VIC
tory Rev. Mr.. Nutting then spoke
about couple he had united in mar
riage years ago, and said: IT think
that II the United States is to be mar
ried TO the Philippines, Admiral Dewey
will have the license i'm his pocket, and
will not have TO get the Germans to
act as justice of the peace"
The glee club then gave concert,
consisting OF solos. duets and choruses.
and an orchestra, which was stationed
on the platform. which was handsome
ly adorned with palms and other grow
ing plants. played a number OF selec-
tions. The hall was draped with flags
and streamers i'm great profusion.
Above the balcony at the end was a
design representing two hands Joined
and bearing on one side the date 1928
and on the other 1898. Above was the
word Welcome"
The officers OF the society are: Presi-
dent. Capt. Ray Allen; vice-president.
Capt. Prentiss o. Cooper: secretary,
Capt. George Il. Hussey: treasurer
Capt. John G. Purkis: executive com
mittee. Capt. Ray Allen, Capt George
II. Hussey. Col. Walter g. Simmons.
One OF the features OF the celebration
was the centenary badge given to each
member and guest. IL was an alumi-
mum disk about the size OF n silver dol
lar. bearing on one side the seal Of the
order. representing square-rigged
ship and bearing the inscription Lead
and Live a Good Pilot" On the OBJ
verse side were the words "Centen-
n