The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-12-18

nation is in itself a memorable event,
which win form a bright page in the his
tory eff Savannah; but its value is still
more enhanced by the thoughtfulness of
the President, who compliments us in
bringing into our midst three of the vic
torious generals of the Santiago campaign,
all three Of them distinguished veterans of
two wars, and among them that noble
Southron Gen. Wheeler.
I'VE all know that Fighting Joe Wheel
err has a way peculiarly his own, of in
Producing himself to those unfortunate be
ings, who chance to finger on the wrong
side of his picket lines; and they say, that
these introductions are events never to be
forgotten by his involuntary acquaint-
ances.
yet there is really no need for any one
to introduce Gen. Wheeler to an assem-
blage of Americans and of Southern men
in particular.
1--WE feel that we have known the gen
eral nearly all our lives, and our women
viii take care that our little ones are told
of Gen. Wheeler and of Santiago.
His name with US is a household word
wherever patriotism and courage, seTf-sac-
rifice and chivalry are no empty phrases
Gentlemen, let us rejoice in having our
hero with US tonight.
ut is my privilege and my pleasure to
present you Maj. Gen. Joseph E. Wheel
err"
Gen Wheeler's speech was brief. The
successive testimonials to the part that
woman plays in the drama of life were
unstintedly applauded. AT the close there
was a repetition of the scenes that had
marked the Introduction Of the soldier
Gen. Wheeler spoke as follows:
I ask my friends could a man be more
utterly stricken dumb than to be re-
quested 10 reply to a toast to woman? A
subject so vast in its grandeur, so ilimita-
Bile in its sweetness and infinite tender
ness. 1 can only bow my head in rever-
ence before that which is not possible for
any poor words of mine TO express. To
these uncrowned angels we owe the best
that life affords. AS mothers, daughters
sisters or as wives they bring to us the
sweetest music of our lives In all the
eighteen hundred years since she stood
last at the Seviors cross and earliest at
His grave she has reigned a sanity queen
over all nations, and in all these years
no great achievements or victories have
ever been accomplished by warriors or
statesman and great battles won
which have not been inspired by that white
gentle hand that can reach up nearer
heaven than any other earthly power to
bring blessings upon mankind. Where
can a man be found, no matter how hap
by and successful has been his life, who
does not on many weary night say in his
heart Rock me to sleep mother, rock
me to sleep" They talk about a "womans
sphere" as If 1t had limit.
There's not a place in earth or heaven,
There's not a task to mankind given,
There's not a blessing or a woe
There's not a whispered yes or no,
There's not a life, or death. or birth.
That has a feathers weight of worth
Without woman in it,
1.-THE bravest battles that ever were
fought,
Shall tell you where or when?
On the map of the world you win find II
not
Twas fought by the mothers Of men.
She IS always first in love and tender
ness; first in sympathy for The sorrows OF
others; first IN healing the sick; first In
all that is human; 10! first where tn,
Nazarine trodi on woman-oh. beautiful
womanl be thou first in The kingdom of
yAl