The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-05-29
SPEAKER WAS LATE
Hon. A.S.Roe Of Wor.
cester Finally Ar
rived at Clinton.
EARNEST WORDS TO VETERANS.
Clinton Residents Do Honor
to Memory Of the Sol
der Dead.
EARNEST WORDS TO VETERANS.

Clinton, May 28.-Flags are flying
from many staffs in town today. In
most of the churches a sermon was
preached, or some service held appro-
pirate to the approaching Memorial
day.
The most interesting of these services
was held in Bigelow hall, this after
noon, under the auspices of the Young
Mems Christian Association. The speak
er was Hon. A. S. Roe of Worcester,
who made an address, full of apt allus-
ion to the service performed by soldiers
in the Spanish-American war and re-
plete with "reminiscences of the war of
the rebellion.
Company K attended the service in
a body. The boys were in fatigue uni
form, and presented handsome ap-
pearance. The other army organizations
were present, including the Sons OF
Veterans, Daughters of Veterans and
the G. A. R. The stage in the hall was
decorated with stars and stripes.
The service was in charge of Capt.
D. Copp. Occupying seats upon tn
platform were Peter ]. Cannon, COM
handing Company X, Ora L. Stone,
commanding the Sons of Veterans, AL
fred Head, commander of E. d. Baker
Post, G. A. r., Rev Victor M. Hough-
ton, and Rev. A. M. Osgood.
There was some trepidation, as 4
o'clock came and the speaker did not
make an appearance. Nevertheless the
service was begun by quartet selec-
ton, sung by c. w. Mackay, James
Mcpherson, G. W. Medium and w. A.
Tucker. The selection was entitled
Heroes were they" and was sung with
much force and spirit.
There was then scripture reading
by c. NJ. Fay, president of the assocla-
ton, and prayer by Rev. A. M. Os-
good. The quartet sang Rest, heroes,
rest"
In the meantime Mr.. Roe had not
arrived, and Rev. A. M. Osgood was in
duced to fill in the time. Mr.. Osgood had
Just entered upon an eXtemporaneous
address very appropriate to the sltua-
ton, when there was stir that an
nounced the coming of the missing
speaker. -.
Copp. and entered at once upon his ad-
dress. He alluded to the members OF
Co. K. who occupied seats in the centre
aisle. directly in front of the speaker,
saying to them:
Il have met the members OF co.
K before this. Then you dreamed
perhaps. of wars, dreamed of march
ing as soldiers of the Union. Now you
know what war is. We older soldiers
welcome you, and hope you may march
with us for many years.
Mr.. Roe said it was eminently fitting
that the Young Mems Christian assoc
citation should hold meetings like TINS.
The association has done much for the
soldiers in the late war They had
seen that every soldier received a tes-
lament. Three months after the war
started, association workers organized
the Christian commission, which estab-
lished tents in every camp. This COM
mission had distributed $6.500,000 in val
ues, and $500. 900 in cash contributed
through 400 associations by the good
people of the country. AS it was in
Cuba, so it is today in the Philippines.
Association workers established tents
that the soldiers used for reading
rooms, and where they came to write
their letters. These workers were as
ministering angels"
It was fitting that May should be
the month of Memorial day. In May
30 years ago 10 set engagements were
fought To that war Massachusetts
number, sent 409, and Worcester, from
a population of 10000, 1871 men. Think
of what this meant to the mothers and
fathers of that day.
There are vacant chairs in Clinton
homes today, recently made. Yet
Clinton sent but a single company.
What would be the situation if from
her population Of 1900 the story of
that other day be told again.
In that war think Of the Deaths
$4,000 killed on the field of battle; 49,
900 dying of wounds in hospitals, and
$4,000 slain by disease. A quarter of
a million passed away through the
means Of war. directly or indirectly
It is fitting we should meet and tell
the story over again. In the schools
Of Greece it was the custom to teach
the children the names of the 300 who
fell at the pass Of Thermopylae."
Mr.. Roe spoke briefly of religion in
the war and gave several illustrations
from his personal experience, Of the
operation Of Christian humanity, as