Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1905-02-23
A SMALL
AUDIENCE

The mass meeting held in the inter
est of the Soldiers Monument took
place in the Opera House last night.
Although it carried with it some dlsap-
poiutmeut as to the number of speak
ers. if not as to the size of the audi
ence, it yet developed a high degree of
interest.
Col. Hitchcock, of Scranton, and
Thomas J. Semple, of Allegheny City,
were both detained at their homes b
Illness and the Committee had TO rely
wholly upon local speakers. These by
the way never acquitted themselves
more creditably, proving wholly equal
to the emergency.
After a selection by the baud, Hon.
James Foster, James Scarlet, Esq
District Attorney Ralph Kisner, Faith
er Jules Foin, John H. Goeser and
Major |. H. Seesholtz filed in before
the footlights and took seats uEon the
stage.
Hon. James Foster made some open
ing remarks, explaining the object OF
the meeting. He gave history of the
movement TO build Soldiers Monu-
ment in Montour County dwelling up
on the hard struggle that has been en-
countered. He expressed deep regret
that a larger audience was not present
to greet the speakers and that the
psstors of town as a class had lot seen
proper to accept the invitation sent
out to be present and help the cause
along by giving each short address
The first speaker introduced as Dis
trict Attorney Ralph Kisner, who
made a ringing address along the line
of patriotism which started enthnsl-
astio applause.
Rev. Father Foin, rector of st. Hur-
bert's Catholic church, was next in
troduced Father Foin soon impressed
the audience as an ardent patriot. He
reached an impressive climax when he
asked the audience to rise and produc-
ing a leaftlet read extracts from Wash
ineton's Farewell address delivered in
1896, which stood as keynote of all
in the line of civil duty aud patriotism
that was advanced during the even
ing.
James Scarlet, ESD, was lntroduo-
ed as he next speaker. The popularity
Of this orator was well attested by the
prolonged applause with which he was
greeted. His address was all that was
anticipated. in effect being an irresist-
IDLE appeal for assistance in erecting
a su table memorial to those who fell
in the great Civil War. He rose to q
thrilling climax a. he dwelt upon the
brilliant military record of little Mon
tour County. not only as related TO the
Civil War, but also TO the war with
Mexico. 4 Soldiers Monument. lie
beautifully said. Is not needed to honor
the memory of those who went out to
fight their couEtry's battles; it should
be built not to honor the dead but to
honor the living, monument to the
sacrifices of bloody war-in honor OF
the wife whose husband never return
ed-in honor of the children who kiss
ed their father for the last time. 1t is
needed to inspire the youth of our day
and to demonstrate that there is in
Montour County gratitude as well as
f-sacritice.
About . O'Clock Rev. S. B. Evans,
pastor OF ST. Paul's NJ. f. church and
Hon H. NJ Hinckley entered the
Opera House and took their places on
the stage Rev. Evans followed Mr..
Scarlet with a fine and practical ad-
dress. which was enthusiastically Te-
ceived.
Mr. Hinckley next took the plat
form, speaking at considerable length.
Mr.. Hinckley is an enthusiastic speak
er and last night he was wholly in his
element. He soon had the audience
reused to the highest pitch of enthusi'
asm. He dwelt upon the need Of pat
riotism at the present day, such as in
spired the soldiers of 81, aptly illust-
rating by the remark that mo doubt
today many men shouted themselves
hoarse over the memory of Washington
who yesterday were busy buying anC
selling votes.
The last address of the evening wa
delivered by Major l. II. Seesholtz. O.
Catawissa, who gave the audience some
points on building soldiers monu
ments. Major Seesholtz was chairman
of the Soldiers Monument Committe,
when the memorial to the soldiers o
the Civil War was raised in Catsw issa
According TO his remarks the task o
rearing a Soldiers Monument if right
ly taken hold of is not so difficult
one as might be imagined.
The Opera House was rendered 70
the mass meeting free of cost Tn
band, too, gave its services free, TIL,
only ones who seemed to fall short o
full appreciation of duty were tn
citizens who failed to attend the meet
| ing. The audience was a small one
| Nevertheless Mr.. Foster As Chairman
| of the Monument Committee expressed
/ confidence that the monument woult
he erected. All those who wished Il
subscribe later were requested to ham
/ their names TO J. II. Goaser, Treasur
er OF the Monument Committee.
/ viii Likely Select Harrisburg.
Since the first convention TO elect