The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-03-12

S.>. .:::S.i 60 90. .S.s. q. S.S. 900.
The theatre was crowded. every individ-
ual present being evidently most anxious
to see a man who is so well known as a
fighter for right and has a record that
will live long after he has passed away.
The evenings exercises opened with the
singing of America" the audience stand
ing, the Second Regiment band, led by
Edward NJ. Fay. leading. Colonel Zena@
w. Bliss then introduced Governor George
III. Utter, who gave a short address. in
which he brought out the point forcibly
that every individual should support the
local militia. and speaking in the highest
terms of the military record of Rhode
Island in the past and present. He then
introduced General Miles, and as he ad-
vanced TO the front OF the stage the or
chestra played Hail TO the Chief"
which brought the audience TO its feet in
enthusiastic greeting of the speaker OF
the evening. lie said in part:
Comrades, Ladies and Gentlemen-I
am aware that It Is somewhat unusual
to meet a gathering OF this kind in such
a place as this, yet 60 meet a company
| OF brave men i'm a building decorated with
| the flags OF our country makes for me a
! sacred moment a hallowed hour, Look
| ing at our national colors, / cannot help
| thinking OF those years that were spent
| in defending them. and Of the patriotic
! blood that was shed that they might be
| maintained to wave again over the whole
land. This great and mighty republic
has been sustained by the ardor and
patriotic spirit of the people and II viii
continue TO De sustained by the same
spirit.
LOOKED TO RHODE ISLAND.
81 remember vividly how in the dark
days OF 1861 men were talking and women
were praying that the dreaded hour might
pass. When the conflict could no longer
be averted we looked 10 the little state
OF Rhode Island for assistance and the
governor OF that state not only sent out
one OF the first regiments that went TO
the front. but he himself went along
with IL. He Is here with us tonight. one
of the three war governors still alive,
the governors of Vermont. Kansas and
Rhode Island. (Applause)
IL was visited in Boston by a commit
tee OF men TO come here to speak, the
object being 10 help the militia in this
state. There is nothing that / welcome
T, more eagerly than an opportunity TO do
what i can to help those who give their
time and best efforts to the service OF
the country. The aim OF our militia is
not for war or devastation, but 70 exist
for the good of the community, to give
health and quiet, peace and happiness to
the people OF state. And IL is the OBJ
ject OF this gathering TO create a fund
which can be used to aid In time OF sick
ness and to help bury, when they are
| dead, those men who are giving their
time and strength to guard the welfare
| of others.
TRIBUTE TO WOMEN.
"A hundred years ago this country OF
ours was part free, part In slavery. To-
| day every man is n sovereign citizen, and
| every woman is a superior OF a sovereign.
| Laughter) The sentiment pervading our
| country after that desperate war was one
OF Joy at the respite from conflict and
a rest from the shedding OF blood. North
erner embraced southerner. easterner en-
| braced westerner-oer er our broad land one
| flag stll waved.
Patriotism is prompted by many things
| It is created by eloquence. in the pulpit,
by family prayer, and in conventions. But
] there is more inspiration in the sacred
! patriotic songs that are composed and
| sung from one end OF the country TO
the other. They appeal to the heart.
/ and the times when sacred anthems are
repeated are the times when patriotism
/ is promoted. Patriotism receives it's Inn
| pulse as much from women as from men.
! Noble women have given their sons to
| their country's service and have sent them
/ into the dreadful sphere of war. But
! they have also contributed works which
! have been the inspiration Of millions OF
/ people. ] was talking not long ago with
/ Julia Ward Howe and she spoke or hcr
coming birthday and OF her long life.
| and / thought OF the countless numbers
/ of people who had sung with emotion
! those grond lines Of hers Mine eyes have
seen the glory Of the coming OF the
| Lord
JUST WAR rs GLORIOUS.
"I am not one OF those who believe that
we have reached our highest civilization.
! believe that there is still higher
! destiny before this greatest and grand
] egt OF republics. / do not believe that
/ war is the highest and best occupation.
! believe that war Is necessity and that
| n lust war IS glorious to those VINO take
/ part I'M II: that a war engaged I'm to deter
mine "a mere controversy between nations
IS degrading and that war should be only
for n lust and holy cause. / hope 20 see
this great republic lead the nations of
the earth up To a higher civilization. in
which all quarrcs will be settled by arbi-
tratlon and that when the time comes,
when battle hags shall wave no more and
drums shall cease TO roll. the United
States will stand In the foremost rank
among the nations.
II wish YOU all prosperity and happ-
ness and I hope that the same patriotic