The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-05-31
MEMORIAL DAY.
Observed Generally
Throughout Country
Gen. WheeIer's Eloquent and Patri.
Otic Address.
Boston Theatre Filled
To Hear Him.
A Reunited Country Tenor Of
Remarks Everywhere.

Boston, May 30.-The feature OF the
Memorial Day exeroisessi Boston was
the address by Gen. Joe Wheeler at the
Boston theatre.
Long before the hour for the commence
ment of the exercises, the immense audi
torium at Boston theatre was fill ed to Its
utmost capacity. and many wers not able
to get Into the great building. BEFORE
Gen. Wheeler spoke the singing OF the
"BattIe.H of the Republic" by Ny
ron W. Whitney and al chorus. and the
presentation to the audience Of It's author.
Mrs. Julia Ward Howe, called forth q
trem sndous burst of applause.
When Gen. Wheeler arose to speak the
applause was tumultuous, cheer upon cheer
came frem thousands and it.was nearly
fifteen minutes before the general couiu
make himself heard.
Gen. Wheeler opened his speech with
an eloquent tribute to the part played by
Massachusetts, in the history OF the Amer
loan commonwealth, whose soldiers had
played conspicuous parts In all It's wars
and whose statesmen had ever Dsen IA
nous In the halls of Congress. he alluden
to the prophecy of Gen. Horace Bingy
Sargent. who 80 years ago, on Memorial
day in the city of Boston, predicted the
day would come when this anniversary
would be celebrated latter 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 sires fell side by eide
under the eye of the great rebel. the
Virginian, Washington.
"a lready," said Gen. Wheeler. "the
words of this prophecy have been fal-
filed, for the warriors who fell side by
s ide at LaGausi,nas, San Juan ana Nj
Caney, men from the North and south,
erlong them some of your brave boys
from the Second Massachusetts, were
buried together in the great national
cemetery at Arlington, while brave fed
erai officer who took part i'll the great
struggle of cur civil war, and DOW tine
chief executive of the nation, by his pres
ence conferred honor upon their funeral
obsequies." ,
Continuing Gen Wheeler said: The
endowment OF peace is 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 to engage in war.
That nation whose people are ready to
respond to a call to arms with men and
resources for any emergency, Is the one
most certain to avoid the desolation and
horrors of war. So long as the dominant
spirit which controls any country IL one
of honor. chivalry, glory ana patrtotlsnl,
SO long will that nation continue to
achieve power and greatness. The spirit
of true nobility. taught by American
mothers, has made our country the pride
and fear of the world. -
Gen. Wheeler declared that 1t was the
duty Of every American to uphold the
President and his cabinet when IL has
| become thoroughly committed to de-
fined policy. "Those who insist" he
said, THAT the power of the United
States is SO great that 1t must always tri-
umph, will admit that difficulties or OBJ
stacles created by some of our own people
will have the effect of retarding at least
in some degree, the prompt and happy
restoration to everlasting peace"
After the exercises in the theatre Gen.
Wheeler was banquetted by the post at
Young's hotel. Gen. W. W. Blackmar
presided and speeches were made by Pres
| ident Smith of the State Senate; May
Quincy, Rear Admiral Belknap, Depart
ment Commander Gilman, Chaplain
Hoes of the Iowa, Rev. DR.. Van Ness
DIR. Withrow of Park street church anc
Chaplain Horton Of the post. After the
BANQUET Gen. Wheeler accompanied Gen.
BIaokmar tn bingham.