On account of press of public business Governor McCall was not able to be the guest of the Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association on Friday last. It was the first time in a long term of years that the people of the Vineyard have not had the pleasure of an August visit from the chief magistrate of the Commonwealth.
However, Lieut. Gov. Coolidge filled the bill in his superior officer’s absence, and he and the other distinguished visitors received a cordial welcome in the several towns of the island they visited under escort of the Association’s Committee.
For the first time in its long history, says the New Bedford Standard, the tabernacle of the Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting association heard Friday night the thrill of a war-cry against a foreign power.
With hundreds of Japanese lanterns swinging all about by invisible means in the traditional illumination, and with the tabernacle crowded by a throng representing more than thirty states, Lieutenant Governor Calvin W. Coolidge and the State Senator Gifford arose at the close of Governor’s Day at Oak Bluffs and paid tribute to the war spirit and the war principles of Massachuestts.
Dr. F.B. Upham, president of the association, set the keynote of the evening and of the day when in the opening speech he thanked God for the answer returned by the Bay State to the challenge of autocracy and militarism.
The exercises in the tabernacle were the culmination of a perfect day. Following them, a banquet in the Wesley house was tendered to the governor and guests.
The island was at its best in the clear easterly wind which was strong enough to whip out the big flag – relic of the Civil war, which Herbert M. Chase flies on state occasions from the Wesley House, where the governor’s party makes its headquarters.
As a natural course, the first entertainment of the visiting guests after the preliminary parade around Oak Bluffs, was a tour of the island. A flying squadron was drawn up and took the lieutenant governor over the state highway to Gay Head.
Among those accompanying were: Lieutenant Colonel Stevens, military aide; Hon. Frank H. Newcomb; Senator McLane, Fall River; Representative Benjamin Collins; Judge E. G. Eldridge; Rev. F. B. Upham; Frederick W. Smith; State Officer T. A. Dexter; and Herbert M. Chase, Esq.
At Gay Head the party walked out upon the cliffs and viewed the scenery from the best points of vantage. On the return trip, Edwin Vanderhoop, Gay Head, the state’s only Indian legislator was added to the expedition.
The Barnacle club of Vineyard Haven was the second stop for the party, and then came a quick jump to Edgartown where a welcome was waved by the ladies of the D. A. R. At the Home club refreshments were served. Miss Evelyn Maguire sang the “Star Spangled Banner,” and Theodore de Barnard of St. Louis, sang the “Marsellaise.” Both of these famous artistes were roundly applauded to greet the visitors. Messrs. B. G. Collins, J. E. C. Currier, George F. Mayhew, and other members of the Club, assisted by the ladies, extended the honors of the club.
With this the review of the island closed after Mr. Coolidge had seen it in its best light and for the first time since his trip of two years ago.
Entertainments pressed thick upon one another as supper in Oak Bluffs followed quickly upon refreshments at Edgartown. At 7:30 the meeting in the tabernacle opened.
Lieutenant Governor Coolidge left the island on the early boat Saturday morning.
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