Evening journal., 1914-02-26
NEWS OF THE BOY SCOUTS


Tho combined service Of all Troops
at Old Swcdes' last Sunday evening
was indeed a beautiful and impress
siyc one Tho historic old church
was crowded over half of the pews
being occupied by BOY Scouts OF the
four troops represented. Nos. ., 6 and
4 OF Wilmington and No. /, Of New
Castle. And one of the most inn
pressiye features OF the whole
thing was the discipline maintained
by YOU boys II was splendid and in
your serious demeanOr you showed
your respect for the twelfth Scout
law. that Of reverence. II certainly
showed good spirit on the part of the
New Castle boys to come all the way
over to unite with their brother
Scouts IN celebrating the birthday Of
the Father of his Country. 10 is
something TO be proud of on the part
] of Delaware Scouts that We arc the
/ first to inaugurate in this country the
ancient ceremony of "Blcssing the
Colors" on the part of Scouts. or
course II has been frequently done in
the military service and very recently
IL was carried out by the English Boy
Scouts at great service in West
minister Abbey. But so far as VIC know
IL Is the first time 4 has been con-
Quoted for the Boy Scouts of Amer
lea And II is especially fitting that
Old Swedes' Church, rich I'm historic
/ associations, should be the scenes Of
the initial ceremony. The signif-
cance of IL should not be lost upon
you. signifying as Il does the hallow-
ing of our patriotism by the spirit OF
reverence for God which was so
strong note i'm tho character of
George Washington. And what
splendid recognition OF and cncour-
agement for the whole Scout move
ment was the presence with us of
two such distinguished Delawareans
as Major General James Harrison
Wilson and Chancellor. Charles NJ.
Curtis. The Scouts present thor
oughly appreciated the honor of be-
ing addressed by these gentlemen at
the close of the service. II was most
inspiring for the Scouts to receive
the approval Of General Wilson. the
most distinguished living soldier. a
man with wonderful record Of
achievement both In war and in
peace. famous as cavalry officer. as
engineer. as author and always a
public spirited citizen. He reor-
ganized the Cavalry of the United
States at the time of the Civil War,
] changing n from an inefficient body
of inexperienced volunteers TO "A
corps of fighting horsemen never sur
/ passed for effectiveness In military
history. He himself AZ the close of
] 81. 4.a I.r
OF cavalry ever gathered together in
modern times. And he accomplished
all this az time Of stress when
every moment counted and decisions
had 10 be made instantly, when a
failure TO grasp every detail at once
might mean disaster for the country.
Al the close of the Civil War. Gen
cral Wilson captured Jefferson Davis,
the fleeing president Of the Confeder-
acy After an honorable and useful
] career in civil life. the outbreak of
the Spanish American War found
! General Wilson once more in active
service. and placing his military
knowledge and experience at the
service Of his country.
lie was placed In command OF the
Sixth Army Corps. and was military
] governor OF iorto RICO, personally
leading the campaign on that island
which resulted in the complete de-
feat Of the Spanish forces. At the
close Of the war he was made mill
tary governor of the province of Ma
tanzas. Cuba. When tho European
nations and the United States and
Japan decided To send forces 10 the
relief OF the imperiled legations in
Picking at the time OF the Boxer up
rising, our government decided q
place General Wilson at the head oI
! its troops I'm China. Rushing by spe.
cial trains and fast steamers, hs
. reached the scene of operations anC
/ by virtue of his high rank, assumed
? command of an expedition of IN,
Allied Forces. His being at the heaS
, of this international body Of soldiers
was a great compliment to his ability
= and TO the United States. His com
mand was marked by just treatmen
OF the Chinese natives and the sup
> preston of looting. At the corona
tion Of King Edward VII, OF Grea
Britain. President Roosevelt appoint