Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-05-31
A THUNDEROUS WELCOME
Given Gen. Wheeler As He Delivers Memorial
Address in Boston.

Boston. May 30.-For the first time
in the history of the Grand Army of
the Republic, an eX-oflicer of the Con-
federacy, today delivered the Memoir
ial day address before a New England
Grand Army Post. Gen. Joseph
Wheeler. the little cavalry leader who
led The Boys in Gray at the famous
charge at Shiloh and. nearly 81 years
later, beneath the Stars and Stripes
cheered on the coIunteers at Santiago.
was the orator and guest Of honor at
the Memorial day services Of f. w.
Kinslet Post, No 113. q. a. r., at Bos-
ton theatre.
Long before 1890 o'clock. the hour
for the commencement of the exercises,
the immense auditorium was filled to
its utmost capacity and many We're not
able to get into the great building. Be
fore General Wheeler spoke the sing
ing of the Battle Hymn of the Re
public" by Myron w. Whitney and n
chorus ana the presentation 70 the au-
dience Of its author, Mrs. Julia Ward
HOWE. called forth a tremendous burst
Of applause.
Collins lst Regiment Band and a
male chorus furnished music Rev
John Lindsay Withrow asked the
Divine Invocation and addresses We're
delivered by Ira Il. Goodrich. James n.
North, Cranmore Wallace and Peter j.
Rooney Presidents Lincoln'$ Address
at Gettysburg. was read by Comrade
James ID. Leatherbe and the post chap
lain's address was made by Rev. f. a.
Horton. When General Wheeler arose
to speak the applause was tumultuous,
cheer upon cheer arose from thousands
and it was nearly Il minutes before the
general could make himself heard.
General Wheeler opened his speech
with an eloquent tribute to the part
played by Massachusetts in the history
of the American commonwealth. whose
soldiers had played conspicuous parts
in all its wars and whose statesmen
had ever been famous in the halls of
Congress. He alluded to the prophecy
Of Gen. Horace Binney Sargent, who,
50 years ago, on Memorial day in the
city of Boston. predicted the day would
come when this anniversary would be
celebrated after some day of glory
when the sons of rebels and our sons
shall have fallen side by side in some
common cause of foreign war, as our
sires and their slres fell side by side
under the eye of the great rebel, the
Virginian, Washington"
Already" said Gen. Wheeler. the
words Of this prophet have been full
filled for the warriors who fell side by
side at La Guasimas. San Juan and El
Caney men from the North and South,
among them some of your brave boys
from the 2nd Massachusetts, were
buried together in the great national
cemetery at Arlington, while brave
federal officer who took part in the
great struggle Of our Civil War and
now the Chief Executive of the nation,
by his presence conferred honor upon
their funeral obsequies.
Continuing, Gen. Wheeler said: The
endowment of peace Is a blessed boon
TO humanity, but the history of the
world from its earliest period teaches
that the only security for peace is to be
ALWAYS prepared and ready for war.
That nation whose people are ready
10 respond to a call to arms with men
and resources for any emergency, is the
one that most certainly be able to
avoid the desolatlon and horrors of
war. So long as the dominant spirit
which controls any country is one of
honor. chivalry, glory and patriotism
SO long viii that nation continue to
achieve power and greatness. The
spirit of true nobility taught by Amer
lean mothers has made our country the
pride and fear Of the world"
Declaring that 1t was the duty Of