The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-03-14
LONEL GILES "reminiscences
He Told In Very Interesting Way Of the
Tragic MACMILLAN Episode.
EFFORTS Of THE UNITED STATES.
They We're Bent Toward Saving Macmillan From
The Vengeance Of Ihs 6Iood-thIsIy MerIOans.
Row. Nj. WoOlsys Remarks.

When President James Shaw of the
Unitarian club arranged for last even
ings banquet of the organization at
Tiliinghast's, he had I'm mind above all
other, the point of Good Works" and
when, at $3.50 o'clock. he raped for
order and inaugurated the past pran-
dial exercises, the 20 members and
guests who had just partaken Of an
excellent menu were treated 10 a pro-
gram that was indeed a treat" The
especial guests and speakers Of the oc-
casion were Col William A. Gle of
Worcester and Rev j. j. Woolley of
I Pawtucket. Both these men are speak
ers of eloquence and experience and
their words were listened to with mark
ed attention.
General shaw, i'm his address of well
come, stated Good Works" to be the
subject of the evening. and he desig-
mated the subject as fair Unitarian doc
trine. He introduced as first speaker
Col. GLE, who had selected as his topic
Experiences During the Macmillan
! Episode"
Col. Gile said he came here with an
| address he delivered I'm Boston num-
! Der OF years ago, an address that was
| published in "A commonwealth paper
| by Dr. Edward Everett Hale. When
Dr. Hale published the speech the
! speaker said, he divided II In three
parts. The three parts he had with
him. but would not inflict them all at
once. He spose of General Shaw at
the Rio Grande with his coored troops.
The object of sending troops to the
IN
proved to be the tail-end of the rebel
lion. Then they were arrayed 10000
troops OF the French under Maximi-
liam, who was then on the throne.
The government of the United States
at the front where ii was dealing with
French troops, the way I'm which we
dealt with the war question last year
is n contract in favor OF the conditions
and results OF last year Col Giles
paper was written just after he return
ed from service on the Rio Grande.
In 1865 the government was still pos
sessed of large body of troops, TO
whom no state extended a hand OF well |
come. The coored soldiers OF the u. s. |
Army had gained for themselves and |
theirs the acknowledgment of citizen
ship. Gen. Grant considered the empire |
in Mexico the tail-end of the rebellion. |
The orders which sent ". s. soldiers to
the Mexican frontier proved that the |
ing the movement of the emp re I'm Mex
leo. The Southerners in great propor-
tions had expected severe treatment at |
the hands OF the United States govern
ment and they were going to Maximi-
liam In Mexico partly through fear that
they were to be deprived OF life and
property. Upon the frontier were large
colonies OF Southern people, who ex-
pected that they were to be dealt with
as people are sometimes dealt with,
who have been defeated at war against
their government
The Frenchman as compared with the
American black man. as a soldier. was
insignificant IS regards pride and dis
cipline. There was a similarity be-
tween the government OF Mexico and
the government Of Cuba. The republic
OF Mexico formed itself similar To the
government OF the United States There
were two factions contesting for the
state government OF Mexico The
church faction OF the state. fearing the
loss OF their property. invited Maximi-
Ian TO come To Mexico TO assist them |
In 1862. tho French were left I'm many
outside towns and were left i'm COM
mand Of the field practically In June.
1863. In July, 1899. the Mexicans ma
nounced their form " government. |
Ferdinand Macmillan en-
peror. the office To descend 10 his off
spring. All this was brought about and
declared bv the body OF Notables so
STYLED. Maximilianl I'm October, 1863. |
made treaty 'favoring France.
The empire seemed success for n !
time. The army was well provided for.
The war in the United States having
closed. however. a change came over
the emperor ana the marshal I'm COM
inand OF troops in Mexico received or
ders 20 embark for France with his
men. MaNimllian was left alone I'm
AfgN ~ stftf saf. .t.f,ll s..I..
port Col. Gile exh bted several pho
iorraphs or pontoon bridges that were
put across thc river nv the colored
troons and bv means Of which the c~v
NJ Matamoras was taken nv the United
states troops from the insurgent Mex
leans. our troops were withdrawn from |
nccupation Of tho city
The affair az Np'omoras was n fair
pvarnle of the cor Sf'on OF such parts
NJ Mexico. from which the French
froons had hpen withdrawn. Upon the
rapture of MaNimilan all prisoners Of
war were ordered 30 he held for trial 7
hv ordinary council and were shot
pnd the rest prcoiat,ned / q
lheir ale9iance 90 MeVico and tho Mex {
can people. Navinii'an himself ravo =
The order 20 fre and so ended the reign
" the NeNican neople who became in
surgents 0rst and affcrward were for n l
lime In control ~ the country Col y
'ine vas greeted 81 tho close az his 4
'emarks by hearty round ~ applause.
President shaw then presented Rev. h
J. j. Woo''ev ~ Pawtuclcet who rave | q
4 very interesting discourse on "Tx- "A
per'ences IN Camp With phode Island Z
Vo'unteers' Rev Mr.. woolley spoke q
n part ms follows: &
II found TINT one-half 81 tho rnoi- r
nent ~ which 7 was chapiain-F First .
Rhode Tslard Noiunfecrr-we~ Catho- T
les. the othe- hair wns made mn q
y MANY creeds and beliefs have $
,nown four presidents. Gen. Shaw q
ong time. md no man has n greater N
lnectlon FOR veteran - tho civil war a
han have for him. nut - the Firss
Z. J. V. Never wps n grandeur sight 4
n be seen than when The bows ~ the "