Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-02-23
COMPULSORY TRAINING IS
ENDORSED BY ALL
SPEAKERS
COL. Bennett HERE
FORMER COMMANDERS OF THIRD
REGIMENT ATTENDS HOME
COMING RECEPTION FOR LOCAL
MILITARY COMPANY.

Patriotism and preparedness were
the keynotes sounded last night at the
formal reception and banquet given in
honor of the homecoming of Company
L, Ottawa's citizen soldiery just back
from the Mexican border in the sery-
ice of their country.
Addresses stirring with patriotic III
terance, were the order OF the night.
Universal training in things military
was. voiced by every speaker and the
affair resolved itself into "A get-togelh-
or meeting in which endorsements
we've added to any federal legislation
that will put the nation upon tight
ing basis equal to that Of any aggres'
sor who some day may become our
foe.
Some one hundred and fifty men sat
down to the spread in the French
room of the New Clifton. Mine Host
Harvey had prepared very satisfy
ing repast consisting of five courses
Members Of Company c, about sixty
two In all. being present occupied the
seats OF honor in the dining room,
which had been very tastly decorated
with national colOrs. Before service
was instituted the room was darkenod
and from the north wall, with bright
lights playing upon it from all sides,
nuttered a silk Old Glory. Applause
greeted the innovation while the ban,
qucters Justify sang The Star Span
gled Banner" An orchestra of five
pieces played during the repast and
rendered the Accomplishments to the
vocal numbers. The program con-
sisted of one of Prof Joseph A. Rear
d0ns popular readings, solos by Jus
tin Jaeger and William Bradley All
three responded to encores
Attorney Grigss Presides.
Attorney Clarence Griggs, president
OF the Chamber Of Commerce, prcsid-
cd as POSTMASTER and explained to
the boys how glad the people OF Otta'
wa were to have them back home and
how proud they were OF the part they
played in rallying to their country's
defense. Mr. Griggs affectionately
termed the soldiers as "our heroes,
and explained to them why they were
heroes.
rYou were first to answer the call.
You gave up your all to serve your
land You volunteered for service
that might have run into years and III
to all forms Of hardships. That you
were mot brought under the range OF
enemy fire is no fault of yours. The
best that was in you was ours for the
asking and Of it You gave freely. The
example. you have set should be an
example to all future generations
Lose Of country prompted your re
sponse to its call and we greet yol
back among us as you are--"Our He
roeR~ a
s Mayor Welcomes Boys.
In his characteristic manner Mayor
Eff. Bradford welcomed the boy
back to Ottawa with voice tha
thrilled with pride. He told how al
the citizens OF their home city were
MS proud of them as he was He re
ferred to their record at the front ant
praised them for the loyalty to HON,
and country that prompted them Il
sacrifice all to serve their land in tim
of stress. The mayor compliments
the soldiers upon their soldierly an
healthy appearance.
IN Captain Woodward.
Speaking In behalf of the compan
CAPTAIN r. G. Woodward, thanked tn
people of Ottawa for the two big den
unstrations staged in honor of the so
der hoys. N"We thought the Godspee
givenHus an unequalled display {
public feeling toward us" the capital
sattl but the homecoming iwelcom
was even more enthusiastic and word
Garnet ,rxprcss our Appreciation {
what has been done for U.S. t dul
lc f'e Col. Fred Bennett e797H
Col. Fred Bennett, who was ~ cor
mand OF the Third Regiment duri''
the Spanish.American war of 1S9
was the principal speaker Of the eve
ing. Col. Bennett, whose home Is
Joliet, accepted an invitation to a
dress the banqueters and told OF no
pleased he was to be back once MOI
among the "boys." In opening his r
marks the Colonel, as tho issuing
command for some intricate regime
tai formation, gruffly announced
"Comrades"
With that as his introduction c.
Bennett launched himself upon
teen minute discussion of Third Rel
ment history, praise for Company
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