Daily Kennebec journal., 1902-02-17

intellectual and beautiful women. | have
been in great audience chambers, drapeu
with flags and bunting and my near
has been stirred and inspired by the SUI
roundings. But Of all the scenes wnlen
1 have witnessed since leaving nome.
there is nothing which has toucheu my
heart more than this gathering TO-DAY;
And comrades, / assure you one ana an
that, so long as memory lasts. snali
recollect this visit here. Now, in Closing.
let me wish you God speed ana happJ
good morning"
Gov. Allen then introduced Col. A. Noel
Brakeman, chief upon the stan OF Som-
mander-in-Chief Torrance. Col Blake
man said: i1slS.1s sF4
Comrades: 1t is an honor and graz
fication to stand before a body ike thls.
Since ! left my home. a week ago, 70
rlake this tour of New England IN COM
pany with the commander-in.ch nave
had tour of education l have learned
many things. For example | nave na'
to revise my opinion OF the STATES
Col. Brakeman then went on 10 reiate
how his impression of the relative SIZES
of the Empire state and her sister states
had changed. When he left nome ne Wa
sure that New York eclipsed aii others;
At Boston he revised his opinion and
placed Massachusetts at the head, then al
Providence he exalted the little state OF
Rhode Island, but upon learning tnai
there was county in Maine INTO wnien
the whole of Massachusetts, could be
placed he put Maine ahead of all others.
He continued,
Comrades: During the past few years
it has become popular to wear the paqse
of patriotic societies. You who SIT be-
fore me wear one. There is no badge OF
royalty in this country, yet yours IS Il
badge of the royalty of achievement EN-
er man won it and not his ancestors. You
made this nation power on earth. ANA
now let US teach the principles OF patriot
ism to the younger generation. Let US
teach the pupils in the schools to sing
patriotic songs and salute the nag. l
want to see them so filed with loyalty
and patriotism, with such love of coun-
try and of its flag, that they would
spring to fight in its defence as you did.
Il congratulate you upon your youth.
You are not hurrying toward the grave;
You show your youth-the youth OF old
age-and long may you keep IT,
Department Commander Merrlck tnen
spoke briefly. He closed by saying: The
place of a private in the rear ranks OF
the Grand Army is more honoraoie than .n
any political position in the gift of the
State of Maine.
President Calista r. Jones of the Wo-
mans National Relief Corps, was the
and best wishes of that organization;
I'VE who love the brave, salute you,
she said.
Mrs. Jones had scarcely finished when
General Torrance stepped to the front OF
the stage and proposed three cheers for
the boys.in blue, and they We're given
with a vim. Three rousing cheers were
then given for General Torrance, and as
the band played America" the company
dispersed.
General Torrance went Immediately II
the hospital to meet the sick comrades.
There was but little time left for him
to spend here but he went to the bedside
of each and, taking the sufferer by the
hand, spoke words of cheer. Not one
was missed. From the hospital General
Torrance went to the dining room and
watched the assembling comrades as
they came in to dinner Here he lingerei ]
and would not depart until he had set at
the table and eaten of the same fara
which the government furnishes less fort
unate defenders. All too soon the hour
came for departure and reluctantly he
left for Augusta.
Long live our chief is the sentiment
of every comrade in the Home.