The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-06-15
Presentation of ArmOry.

A QUARTER Of an hour before .
q O'Clock the trumpeter sounded
attention and the speakers and
other distinguished guests appeared
in the center of the gallery at the
west end of the building. Colonel II.
| NJ. ROies. the first commander of the
| Thirteenth regiment went to the front
| of the gallery and in one of his con-
else and thoughtful speeches presented
| to the regiment on behalf of the
Scranton City Guards associat ton, the
splendid new building.
Colonel Boies said they had hoped to
have with them on this occasion other
celebrities besides those gathered
about him, but various things had
happened to prevent them from at
tending. But the Thirteenth is a self
reliant body he said. and not to be
cast down by that. In turning the ar
mory over to Colonel Watres. as the
| representative of the regiment, he
| spoke as follows:
| Fellow Citizens. Ladies aud Gentlemen: II is
| II, that Inc voice OF the first colonel OF our
| glorious Thirteenth regiment should make the
| first public Test Of the acoustics OF this grand
| dliIl hall and auditorium. This imposing and
| conlmpdio,lS armoiy is not only a noble testimony
| and enduring monument of your generous apprc
| citation of the patriotic services of Your citizen
| soldriS amid disCo,iragencnts and haldships, but
| splendid consumnaton OF their hopes and
| honorable fulhlmcnt OF the promises he has often
| made TO them in your behalf. | am happy to
| see this hour Of frntion aud redemption: proud
| of the high official privilege devoving upon
| as president OF the trustees Of the Scranton CITY
| Guard on this notable occasion. congratulate
| the officers and men Of my old command. that
I,tI Inxt fIn,z ipt,
| joyment of every convenience and appointment
| necessary to instruct the citizen how to defend
| the state efficiently when the sublime sacrifice OF
| patriotism may he demanded: convenience and
| appointments as ample grateful community
| in prosperity. aided by studious and intelligent
architect and shlful and honest builders can
| supply.
| | congratulate onr city that she celebrates the
! first year OF her advent into the second class
| OF the great cities OF our commonwealth by :le
| provision of this magnificent cdifcc for the in.
| slructon OF her young men in the supreme
duties OF citizenship. She is already noted for
| the prof,lson and excellence OF her public school
| buildings for the education OF her children: she
adds this impressive structure today to her list of
public utilities as her high school of pa,riOtiS,.
congratulate Pennsylvania that another of nrr
regiments has been permanently established in
| adequate quarters by the patriotic hcncfccnre of
| a few of her "li2,ns: that she still conf
6eh;lH depend upon some to supply what the
| whole may Neglect to provide for the public
welfare; ,l'a, private patriotism has founded for
| her here another nucleus Of power opened up
another perennial fountain Of youthful energy
| and strength, and fortified her with another
| stronghold OF defense. The brave hearts and
strong arms of her young men have never yet
failed her in time Of trial and this arnory is still
| another guarantee that they will be found
| spon>ve and full armed 10 her future calls.
| Colonel Watres, all your predecessors in the
| honorable command Of the Thirteenth regiment
| OF the National Quad OF Pennsylvania from il !
organization. whose Jealous lsbors have step by
| step year after year, built up the proud rcph.
'ation which it bears. are providcntially here
with me to witness and share with YOU the
great administrative triumph hoped for but
denied to them. As they have transmitted 10
| YOU record Of unsullied honor, | adjure you in
their name, to strive to increase its llSt,e in
proportion to your niagnfed opportunities. and
| to guard the endurance and haldihood of your
tonmand from enervaton by the unprecedented
luxury Of their new accommodations.
ON behalf OF the trustees OF the Scranton CITY
| Guard. in whom the title to this great property
| rests. now transfer ii into your custody and
| command, Tor the and training OF your rrei.
ment, and commit to yol the keys OF this arm.
ory.
At the conclusion of his remarks
he was greeted with n hearty round
of applause and at its conclusion
Colonel Watres arose and extended
his thanks To Adiutant General
Stewart for his presence. The adju-
tant, he said, was the best friend the
National Guard Of Pennsylvania ever
| had. The colonel then accepted the
! armory in these words;
Ladies and gentlemen: For quarter of cen.
tnIy the Thirteenth regiment, infantry, National
Guard of Pennsylvania, has been working our
history ciedtable to itself and TO its community
II has served the state full well and has been
prompt 10 respond 10 the nati ions call Its rec,
ord is one which any regiment in this broad
land might not he ashamed 10 envy,
But its growth, its development and its succcSs
have not been matters Of an hour nor oi a 1ly.
They have enaied faithful duly from every
| soldier in the ranks, ~archiul care from every
officer and the kindly support and cooperation OF
|, our citizens,
As this almory, the finest and best equipped in
| the state, monument 10 the loving PATRIOTS
| and broad'minded generosity OF The citZeus and
taxpayers OF this community is formally trans
ierled from the board OF trustees to the regiment.
we promise that the trust reposed shall he
violated, that The aImory shall be an in.
| strlment of terror, lut 4 promoter Of peace, a
bond OF unity cemenlIng man to man and class
10 class ior the common veal ol the city and
the state.
In accepting the solemn trust the Thirteenth
| regiment pledges an unhnching loyalty to the
| city and the state, an influence which shalt be
in the future, as il has been in the past. moral
rather than physical, constructive rather than de-
strucliye, and, finally, 10 pledge this new almory
| to those uses which shall work for the preServa.
ton OF peace, tor the love ol country and for the
reign of Law.
Governor stone. unable To be here
himself, has sent his adiutant general
| To represent him and this great state
| on this occasion, and | now have the
honor of introducing Adjutant General
Il. j. Stewart to you" was the way
Colonel II. NJ. Boes introduced
| the next speaker The adjutant gem
| eral of the state is very popular in
| this city, and he was given very en-
thusiastic reception as he arose. He
referred to the great anxiety he felt
to attend this gathering, an anxiety
which induced him to break an en-