The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-02-23
He Said That Many Rhoie Islanders SeTed
During The Revolution
PAPER READ BY COMpATRIOT FIELD.
Il Described a Night al Saba's lnn"-Proi. Jane
sOa Discussed american Expansion from an
Historical Standpoint Letters oi Regret.

Island Society OF the sons Of the Amer
lean Revolution given at the Nara
gansett Hotel last evening was most
successful affair, and was very largely
attended. and was certainly one of the
most important gatherings Of the So
ciety Prior to the dinner hour the gem
tlemen met in the parlors, and at ';30
o'clock repaired % the dining room,
where four tables had been very pret-
tlly prepared. one OF the features was
the menu cardThe cover bore the name
Of the society and the date and place
a which the banquet was held. On the
first page was an excellent cut OF
photograph OF the southeast room at
Sablns Inn, on the second page was
the program. on the, third the menu
ana on the fourth the names OF the
ncwly elected officers.
President Robert T. Brown led the
members and guests TO the tables and
divine blessing was offered by Rev. Il.
O. Bartlett. AT the head table were
seated in addition To President Brown,
Gov. Elisha Dyer Prof. j. #, jameson,
of Brown University; Commanuer Jonn
r. Bartlett L.. =. N; George &. Night
ingale. vice president OF the society;
Rev. T.. o. Bartlett. Hon. Royal C.Taft.
former president of the society; Edwin
Barrows and Christopher Rhodes. Sec
retary OF the society. over the presld-
ing officers chair was a large portrait
of George Washington, very artistical-
ly draped with the national colors.
The dinner, as usual. was an excel
lent one and nearly two hours was em-
ployed in discussing the good things.
When these had been disposed of Pres
ident Brown raped for order ana ar
ter extending welcome TO all, spoke
of the great strides made by the ma
ton He paid q tribute 10 George WASH
ington. and he said that as long as pa
triotlsm lived the memory of Wash
ington would live. and he claimed that
the people OF Rhode Island should re-
we're washington, for Gen. Greene, who
by his skillful tactics turned the for-
tunes OF war, was Rhode Island man
selected by, Washington President
Brown then spoke OF what the Sons OF
the American Revolution in Rhode ISL
and had done during the late war. and
he read the roll of honor, which was
greeted With applause.
Gov. Dyer was then introduced ana
he spoke briefly, and commenced by
saying that when the birthday OF
George Washington is not observed in
this country nothing will be worth OBJ
serving The spirit OF &c still lives. He
said that the record commissioner of
Rhode Island. i'm looking up the revo-
lutionary records, had found some 5000
to 10000 records of Rhode Island men
who fought In the revolution. He said
that the heirs of Gen. Greene, now
living In the South, had the general $
battle flag, and he believed that If the
state of Rhode Island bestlrred Itself
the flag could be procured
Compatriot Edward Field. historian
of the society. followed with "A Night
at Sabn's Inn." This building stood at
the corner of South Main and Planet
streets, and Il was here that one OF the
most interesting events in the. history
OF the state occurred, or rather was
planned. Compatriot Field then told
the story of how on a certain evening
in the month of June, 1112, when "a
large party was being entertained at
the tavern, II was noted that some
thing unusual was afoot. The beating
of drums and the sound of voices were
heard in the street at q late hour. FL
nally all suspicious were allayed and
the party went peacefully TO sleep. only
20 awake In. the morning to find that
the Gnspee had been destroyed during
the night. The men wlo burned the
schooper were never apprehended.
President Brown then displayed a
cavel. which had been presented TO the
society by Gardiner &. Sims, United
states Navy, and which was made
from the wood OF block house near
Santiago, cuba. and he then introduce
cd Compatrlot George \. Buffum, poet
of the society who recite1 an original
poem. entitle6 "Our Forefathers." and
he received much and well deserved
applause.
Prof. John L. Jameson. of Brown
University. then spoke on the subject
OF "Amcricon Expansion From an ~
torical Stlndnolut" Prof. jameson
said I'm substance: america has eX-
plndtl, not because treaties have been
made but because a man situated next
to large amount of unoccupiel land
naturally wants 10 get possession of It,.
We are coming 10 an end of this free
land. which has bcCn the great charac-
terlsUc of our country mp % th' pres
ent time We are plainly advancing 10
a state Of things whore the lea Ting fac
| tors in our lifc VIII be manufacturing
and commerrp. We are bound to sltis-
~ The snlrl ~ expansion bon some way.
! But with cana lu on One side and Mex
/ ico on the other. 10 was Inevitable that
the program should tnkc new FORM.
! 1t must, 10 BE- suited 10 our manufac-
turing and commercial era. no be sure.
the expansion which has taken place
/ has somewhat outrun necessity, but
4 that has been So in The eases " our
Z former accusations. / think. therefore.
I this recent expansion Is Logical You
must consi7er that the political ls sub
/ scrv'ent and consequent 90 the econom-
/ ic element"
Letters ~ regret were thnn read from
/ Chauncoy ~ pepaw. Edward Aikn-
son and John Tiska. nn1 then Conn
mandsr Blrtlcit. United States navy
| rcspOn Fcd with n tribute a. the mer'-
ory of George Washington. and alsl
spoke ~ Admiral Dawcy end the navy
The company thCn drank the health OF
| Admiral Dewey. standing
| After r1mnatrioi Hart registrar OF
the society. had reai a memorial OF
| Henry q. Armstrong the very pleas.
ant company dispersed.