The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-10-18
THREE OF THE SOLDIERS.

while they never quailed before the
hiss of the deadly bullets, they actually
blushed as the trophies were placed in
their hands with graceful smile and
gracious speech
St Matthew'S hall was beautifully
decorated with American flags, a NAM
moth American banner hanging over
the platform, and streamers of red,
white and blue bunting In graceful
folds from the center of the hall and
radiating to all points.
South Worcester turned out en- nlasse,
and if the soldiers ever felt proud, they
must have been touched by the spon-
taneous and feeling reception of APP
probation of their services, which was
accorded them last night
The soldiers who received the medals
of honor were Benjamin Cooper, w. I.
Turner Henry G. Coley, Roland john
son and G. A. Civilian, the last a
United States regular in Troop d
company, 9Th United States cavalry.
Corporal John Hagberg was also a
guest of honor on the stage, and those
who occupied seats of distinction with
the soldiers were Matthew !. Whlttall
Miss Edgeworth p. Whittall, who
graoiously presented the prizes; M.
Percival Whittall Rev Henry Hague,
pastor of st. Matthew's Church; Rev
George w. Kent of the South Unitarian
Church, Rev. Robert w. Taft, James
Cunningham James Cunningham, John
Tdman Charles McCaffery, Sergt
David Roache, G.. A. R.: John Carr
G. A. R., and John H. Mawbey, G. A.
r.
It had been expected that His Honor
Mayor Rufus B. Dodge would be pres
ent, as he had expressed his desire to
be present, but he was detained by the
meeting Of the city government. Let
tiers of regret were read from Alfred
Thomas, Alderman Henry Brannon and
Rev e. w Phillips.
The program of the evening opened
with concert of popular and patriotic
airs by Normand'S Orchestra, under
the leadership of J. Frank Normand
from 1880 to s o'clock. Then the soldiers
and the guests of honor entered the
hall to the strains of America" the
entire audience. which more than filed
the hall, rising and joining in to make
the patriotic reception complete.
Rev. Henry Hague then gave the
address of welcome, speaking briefly of
the joy with which the people welcomed
their brave boys back. Prayer was Of
fered by the Rev. Robert w. Taft, fol-
lowed by a tenor solo, I'm the garden
by the sea-" by DR.. p. w c. Dufault
formerly of Pilgrim Church choir
which was rendered with exquisite
voice
Rev. Mr.. Kent then spoke and was
warmly received. Though the soldiers
Of the Cuban war are veterans, he
said, they are yet boys. However in
strength and courage, they have reach
ed mans highest estate. They had
showed steadineSS to purpose
bravery, firm determination, which
demonstrated their nobility, although
of youthful years. The readiness of
the youthful volunteer to fight for his
country and sacrifice his life if need
be for principle, as evinced most re-
markably in this last war was one Of
the srandest scenes of the century. In
previous wars conditions among men
and times had been such that after SER
vice some soldiers had no attachment
but for the life of the barracks, while
in our Cuban war the soldiers We're
eager to reach home. He personally
was glad TO welcome them back, as he
felt that they were men not of war, but
lovers of peace.
Rev. Mr.. Kent reviewed the wars Of
old and compared the types of the SOL
diers. Those of the last war, he felt
were heroes in the grander and nobler
sense that they had had a high prin-
ciple before them, that of humanity to
man, and were not moved and actuated
by the spirit of greed and conquest.
oucu type OI the SOluler as we nave
today is a bulwark for any nation. The
spirit and inherent valor which have
characterized the soldier of today is
stronger than the standing armies of
Europe, and in that determined and I'M
conquerable spirit to defend principle
the grandeur of our country.
At the close of Rev Mr.. Kent's
speech, which was warmly applauded,
the browning event of the evening fol-
lowed, when Miss Edgeworth p Whit
tall. in q gracious and dainty speech,