The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-01-30
Annual EnCampment Closed With
Complimentary Banquet
Speeches by Govsrnor Garvln, Mayor Miller,
Commander -In-ChIef Stewart
and Others.

One OF the most interesting and sue
cessful encampments held by the De-
partment OF Rhode Island In recent
years. came to a happy close last evening
at the Trocadero. where a complimentary
banquet was rendered TO the retiring post
commander, George III. Chenery
Included In the gathering were many
men prominent in Grand Army. political
and business circles, and the feast OF rea-
son that followed the banquet made ev-
cry one present feel that 1t was good to
be there.
The guests of greatest prominence in
cluded Gov. Garvin. Mayor Miller, Gen.
Thomas j. stewart, commandment n-chief
OF the Grand Army and Mrs. Taylor. ma
tional president Of the Women's Relief
Corps.
reception was held in the lower par
lors from 10 o'clock in which the gov
ernor. mayor, commander-in-chief, post
commander. and post officers, national
president OF the local corps and officers
and others took part.
In the lower hall tables were spread ror
the banquet OF the relief corps, while five
large tables i'm the upper hall accommo-
dated the veterans
At the head table Department Comman-
der James S. Hudson occupying the toast
masters chair. with retiring commander
Chenery and Commander r-in-Chief Stew
art on his right. Gov Garvin
, and Col. Patrick H. Quinn OF
the governors staff and Mayor
Miller occupied seats on the left Among
those who were seated at this table were
the following: Past Department Com
manders Alonzo Il. Pierce. Col. Daniel II.
Ballou. Charles +. Moies, Walter A. Reid,
Charles II. Williams. Gen. Nelson Wall.
Gen. Elisha A. Rhodes. Capt. Benjamin
Hail. Capt Charles c. Gray. Hon. David
s. Ray, Charles n. Baker. Maj. William
r. Stone, Col. Philip S. Chase. and DIR.
w. A. Ballou. Lieut.. Col. George A.For-
syth. Department Commander of the
Spanish War Veterans; Capt.
James and others.
200 PRESENT.
| About 200 veterans and invited guests
sat down at the tables at the conclusion
( OF Chaplain Ewers prayer. During the
| dinner music was furnished by Fish's or
| chestra.
The good things disposed. Department
| Commander Hudson called the assem-
| blage 10 attention and introduced as the
| first speaker Gov. Garvin, who was re-
| ceved with great applause.
Gov Garvn welcomed Gen. Stewart and
said the people of Rhode Island had the
warmest regard for the Grand Army and
| for the commander-in-chief of that noble
! body. The governor spoke OF the excite
ment that prevailed when the news
came that Fort Sumpter had been fired
on. and then the members of the Grand
| Army went to the front and did their
| duty to their country.
/ lie believed that had the government
| been divided into two th6t we would
| have lost our liberty, and he asked II our
| liberties were safe now. There are other
| ways OF losing our liberties, he said, than
| by the mailed fist.
Great combinations are springing up
| about us and we must exert eternal vigil
| ance Of we would save our liberties.
| There Is a fear that "A power is growing
| up beside our leading officials. he said.
| There are great corporations growing up
| which are reaching out and sapping our
| liberties. We should be cautious. We
| should seek 10 carry out the will OF that
| great hero. Abraham Lincoln, a govern
| ment OF the people. for the people and
by the people. We should feel the spirit
| OF the 'sixties.
We feel now that the Union Is safe.
state Auditor Charles c. Gray proposed
three cheers for the governor of Rhode
Island. and the cheers were given with a
| will
The next speaker was Mayor Miller
| who i'm opening said he was sorry that he
| had no war record He was sure no one
believed that he would try and deceive
| anyone. but IL was a fact that he was a
| H.
| Wherever he ran for an office. he said.
the first question asked was, 'What is
his army recordT
He was always up against IL. he said,
but believed that this was right for when
the old soldier came home from the front.
| the civil offices belonged TO him. IL ne
was capable OF nlling them lie was too
| young to fight IN the Civil War and too
| old 10 go into the last one.
FIRST DECOR ALTON DAy
Mayor Miller spoke OF the first Decora-
tion day and Of seeing the grand figure
OF General Burnside riding down in front
Of the procession.
This Is the grandest country on the
face OF the earth. he said and this ls ac-
knowledged by every nation under the
| sun.
II has been said that the greatness oi
| the country was due 10 our mllionaires
and rich men who had placed our country
where it is. but this Is not so. he deciar.
ed 1t Is due 20 the men WHO fought In the
Civil war the man behind the gun.
General Elisha IT, Rhodes led In three
hearty cheers for Mayor Miller.
| General Stewart was received standina
and with three rousing cheers. He appre
clated the kindness OF his welcome by
this splendid department and OF the state
Rhode Island has not lacked. he said. ir
the greeting given him
He wished 10 sag something new 20 tho
comrades and recalled the old bugle call
the sirrieke OF the fife and the roll OF the
drum. and Il seemed as though there
came into the hall the seried ranks oi
old. the shades OF those who fell on ths
battlefield after standing shoulder q
shoulder through many hard campaigns
we are here tonight and they are gone
he said. and we pay tribute 10 thos,
brave souls who found victory in death
Four million OF men. my comrades. gath
. | cred under the banners OF the contendinl
| hosts and thousands OF graves mark tn,
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