The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-05-11
THE MEETING OPENS


Previous to the opening of the meet
ing. the band was stationed at the en-
trance OF the Opera House and played
many patriotic pieces. Soon a very
large crowd had gathered, and when
the band entered the theatre the crowd
followed, comfortably filling the build
ing.
Among the gentlemen on the stage
were: Colonel Hugh Sterling, Colonel
Thomas O'Brier, Michael Lotus, Hulll-
hen Quarter, George Wise, Sheriff Rich
ards, George Hook, Rev. Joseph Speers,
Colonel Robert White. Rev. ]. L. Sooy,
John j. Coniff. Alfred PAUL, George A.
Dunnington, Howard Hazlett, James Z.
/. fancy.
The meeting was called TO order by
Hullihen Quarter, of the chamber OF
( commerce. u
The stage was beautifully decorated
for the occasion by Stage Manager
Richardson, including two large Amerl-
can flags that were given n heariy cheer
when they were swung from the rear
OF the stage.
COLONEL WHITE ELOQUENT.
Colonel White delivered a very elo-
quent speech. One-third OF a century
ago, he said, the grandest var in his
tory was fought in this country; fought
by the greatest soldiers the world ever
saw. Tonight lie saw before him men
who had fought on either side In that
terrific conflict. In that war the gov
eminent of this great country was
maintained, and Thank God, I have
lived to see q Lee and q Grant fighting
together under that glorious emblem"
pointing to the flag. tremendous ap-
plause.)
But why talk OF the past, inquired
the speaker. We oil now belong TO
this grand union. the United States OF
America. (Cheers.) We ore Ameri-
cans, heart and soul. and we all look
with reverence to that Star Spangled
Banner. Great applause.) On the
night of February 10, under a tropical
sky, one OF the grandest ships In the
world, manned by American sailors,
was sunk In the larbor OF Havana, by
the treachery, as We believe, OF the
SpanIard. (Hisses.) In his opinion,
said the speaker, that act OF trenchery
bespeaks for the world In the future as
much as the casting into the sea OF tea
On Boston harbor betokened oVer a CEN
fury ago to u Revolutionary fathers.
That act-that voice-means the DEATH
knell OF Spanish tyranny on the western
hemisphere: It means that the boon OF
liberty IS coming to Cuba by the hands
and hearts Of the brave American peo-
pie. That voice did not stop Mt Hava-
ma; 1t wns carried over land and sea TO
Manila bay, until ut break OF dawn n
week ago last Sunday. when Dewey and
his brave sailors entered the bag. That
voice was there and at the mast Of the
flagship Olympia 1t was the signal OF
battle -""Remember the Maine,
(Cheers.) At this moment u large pic
ture of Commodore Dewey was dis
played on the stage and the enthusiasm
was redoubled.
Colonel White then stated that Che
objects OF the meeting were well
known: to do honor to the heroes who
fought for the starry flag in the Phil
lppines, and at the same time do honor
to one of Whecling's splendid boys, En-
sign John Doddrldge. tChcers.)
Continuing, Colonel White said that
ns a former Confederate soldier he felt
proud of the fact TINT doshing Fltz.
hugh Lee had become n major general
In the armies OF the United States, and
he took occasion TO say that any who
followed Fltzhugh Lee into battle would
smell gunpowder sure.
1t Is proper, Gald Colonel White, &.
hayc;a great expression OF love Of coun.
Try and patriotism In this city ncxl
Saturday. He had heard that there
were some merchants In Wheeling VIM
have said that the celebration should
not take place on Saturday, as 1T
would hurt their business" This pro.
V0ked the laughter OF the audience.
SH when tho speaker added that he hopcd
ms celebration would pour n little OF
INC blood OF patriotism into these neo.
PIC. the crowd cheercd the sentiment,
1te wanted to witness the grandest
demonstration on WhcnlIng's streets
s that; has nal ever been had here. Old men