Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-03-22
MILES sAsQuerreD.
CONTINUED from page i.)

capacity as Governor of the common
wealth. He said that Massachusetts
was proud of the record of her honored
son, now returned, and that his deeds
had always been closely followed with
great interest. The Governor referred
to the beef investigation and said that
Gen. Miles had the confidence of the
people.
Col A. A. Pope life long friend of
Gen. Miles, gave a short sketch of his
career, in his business as we'll as his
military life.
In behalf of the Grand Army of the
Republic, Comrade John +. Gilman.
the department commander of this
state, gave Gen. Miles most cordial
greeting
With these preliminary speeches fin
ished. President Little introduced the
guest Of the evening. who rose amid
great cheering and applause.
Gen. Miles prefaced his remarks by
expressing his great relief that Mr..
Sherman was still alive. He said that
he had been greatly depressed since be
ing informed of his death and that the
good news was such a reaction that
he asked the club to join him in Il toast
to the man who had been his dear
friend for many years ana who had
served his country so well. The toast
was drunk with great enthusiasm.
Gen. Miles then said.
In days of trial, responsibility ana
earnest effort the approval of those
whose companionship we mos cher
ished, whose friendship was most true,
was the greatest qualification and the
richest reward that the patriot soldier
could enjoy.
After many years i'll the public ser
vice in every section of our great re-
public, as well as in other distant lands.
il is one Of the happiest moments of my
life to return to my native state. and to
be assured of such a reception in this
commonwealth. I have never ceased t.
respect the kind admonitions. the ex-
cellent words of counsel. the common
dable example given by the head of the
house in which l spent some years OF
nv early life in the city of Boston. We
were advised that in all our relations
with men, frank honesty purposes
kindness and civility were principles
never to be forgotten, and they are
principles more beneficial in every
sphere OF life.
AS the political affairs of the IA
ton became more serious and the great
! questions finally resulted in civil war
we believed it duty to give our best
| efforts to the service of our country
1t was my good fortune to be Il member
of that great body OF patriots that re-
| Sponded to their country'S call in 1861
and to take an active part from that
| time to the close of the great drama
! mo one who has not experienced the
duties and responsibilities of the camp
| the hardships of the campaign. the
| terrible scenes of the battle. and ap-
preciate much less describe Them The
recollections of disaster. misfortune
and defeat before an cXultant foe. the
witnessing of it's splendid hcroism, for
titude and sacrifice, consciousness OF
success fairly won, the glorious exul-
tation of victory, the sublime realiZa-
ton of the cessation of hOstilities. the
triumphs of just and righteous cause
produce emotions enjoyed only by the
soldiers engaged in the service Of ou'
government and in maintaining the
honor and perpetuity of a country We
IN our last war with foreign coun
try. Massachusetts was found wei
equipped and in complete readiness
like the minutemen of Revolutionary
days. The record Of the I'd and 9th
! Massachusetts, in Cuba and of many o.
| her soldiers and sailors in the far dis
tant Occident was only equalled by thu
action of their brothers in the Orient.
Il noticed very interesting picture
on the 21st of last July when the goof
! hattleship Massachusetts turned it:
PROV to the east in the waters of thu
West Indies. That majestic vessel
commanded by "a gallant officer from
this commonwealth. was followed by
cruiser freighted with that splendid
regiment, the 9th Massachusetts. which
infits turn was followed closely by tn,
| Gtouc ester and Il fleet of transports
Carrying light and liberty to the west
to place our flag in a country which
J had been occupied for hundred of year.
by Spanish mower.
I'VE may we'll expect that it will eve
be thus, that in every enterprise re
curing skill, fortitude and patriotism
| Massachusetts will hold a conspiciou
place in the interests of progress an,
; The welfare of mankind AS son o
Massachusetts, l believe that the same