The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-10-19

| QlQ NOT nave the QlSLlHS ulSH6l
| honor of bringing all my men back but
| did return with all but one from For
| McHenry The great majority returned
| to the army. They went into the 26tt
regiment and 20 got commissions an6
many were breveted at the close of the
war You would have done the same
had the war continued. Fifty per cent
of our company died in battle. Had the
war continued you would have beer
fighting in the ranks for four years and
would have come back with ranks de-
pleted.
knowing that you are worthy de-
scendants of worthy fathers l am glad
to be with you this evening"
Commander George H. Hathorne of
Post 10, G. A. R. told stories of the old
days of war after expressing pleasure
at being present.
Lieut.. Col E. R. Shumway received
an ovation which wound up with three
rousing cheers. He said:
LAS second in command of the Sec
ond Regiment, 1 congratulate you on
your splendid showing the past year.
Your commanding officer is always
proud of the City Guards. I have been
acquainted with the company for the
past 26 years and can truthfully say
that it never turned out better COM
pany than at camp last year. l went
to New Hampshire and watched your
drill closely. 1 was proud of you for
you did all that was possible for any
company to do. I want to say to you
that you should not feel hurt at not
winning first prize which was no fault
of yours.
Remember that you were in another
state drilling against the best COM
panies in New England. You proved
yourselves credit to your state and to
the city of Worcester"
Mayor Philip j. O'Conor was greeted
warmly. He said: Il appreciate the
great honor you did me to invite me to
review your parade upon the Common
and to be present at the banquet to-
night. 1t is a great pleasure to greet
you and 1 wish to congratulate you for
the splendid appearance on the streets
of Worcester and on the Common. That
victory in New Hampshire was not
alone for you but for the militia of
Massachusetts and the City of Worces-
te-"
Senator Hoar spoke of the soldier as
good friend, a good neighbor and
the veteran of the Civil War a good
office holder constable, legislator,
mayor or congressman. IT found that
true and when was to appoint good
office holders I turned toward eX-sol-
diers of this ompany-Pickett, Shum-
way and Early. You men of the pres
ent hour have a great record behind
you. If you are to be worthy of youS
sires you will have to look forward to
great things, and 1 know you are do
ing it. know this ompany produced
the three greatest soldiers in the Civil
War-Devens, Sprague and Pickett.
IT congratulate those of you who en-
gagged in the Spanish war on your
good fortune and you will be appre-
ciated in the future. 1 am not a pes
simist and do not elieve in many of
the policies of the present government.
I elieve. the great problems will be set
tied and settled right, in accordance
with the Constitution of this country.
1 have that faith in my oeuntrya that
it will do no wrong, can do no wrong
and that eventually all of us will be
satisfied with the outome. I believe
the people of other lands will be
pleased with the freedom that will
come to them through this country.
II believe the day will come when
you men will feel that you will not give
for any possession or office the knowl-
edge and fact that you have served
your country. That is your greatest
possession, the knowledge of having
done your duty to your country,
heritage to your children and children's
children.
Il am glad to know you are doing
such a great work in the service of
your state. The city is proud of you.
From you will come the men who will
lead on the civil soldier in time of need.
It was the citizen soldier who came to
the rescue in '76 and in 81 and when
valor and personal courage is wanted
the country will ever depend upon you.
1 am glad to hear your colonel compli-
ment you upon your doing your duty
so well and I trust that the city and
commonwealth will ever be proud of
you"
Hon. John R. Thayer said: "I was
delighted to receive your kind invita-
ton to the banquet, and would have
been glad to have been with you all
the evening but because of other en-
gagements was unable to be here until
late. We have been told that politics
make strange bedfellows and I've been
told that office holders do likewise.
Why I've just come from a Democratic
rally to sit beside my preacher. Just
think of it. wanted to be here TO see
you and your officers and listen to the
doctors stale stories.
Il presume you invite me knowing
my propensities and cowardice. The
nearest approach of my being a SOL
der was to join the Continentals.
Wars and rumors of wars the past few
years have been many but perceive
now the zenith is fast.
81 have great respect for the regulars.
But If this country must depend on
regulars alone God help it. l am sort
of Quaker myself / take a pride in
military organizations and must be
pretty busily engaged when 1 hear the
band play and the boys marching that
l do not leave all to see them out of
sight. 1 am glad to hear of the pros
porous condition of your company. What
a long line OF meritorious pensions
should be given to you boys who went
away and returned. 1 was not able to
recognize the boys coming back from
the Spanish war. I've always endeav-
ored to do what I could indirectly to
help old soldiers of 81 and the young
soldiers of the latter war. 1 want to
say to the Spanish American was SOL
diers that you don't stand much show,
the government is waiting for you to
either die or get well.
when your status is established YOU
will get the recognition of the govern
ment. I thank you for remembering
me and assure you that I am very
much pleased at being present and wish
you all manner of prosperity"
Maj. H. B. Fairbanks was cordially
greeted and given three ringing cheers
ell said: There is no one who is
prouder of the City Guards than 1.
Your condition today only exemplifies
the theory which I have always held
that man is what he makes himself.
What this company is today is what
the men in the company made it, The
City Guard spirit is proverbial amongst
military men of this city and state.
will close by saying am proud Of you
o- nd