The New York herald., 1876-08-18
A MEMORIAL TO THE BRAVE.

DEDICATION OF SOLDIERS AND SAILORS
MONUMENT AT BRIDa EPoRr-ITs TRANSFER
BY THE LADIES TO THE cITY--oRAT1oN BY
GENERAL HAwLEY.
BRIDGHPoRr, Conn, August II, 1874
despite threatening clouds and falling rain drops
this has been gala day Bridgeport having been
the OF the dedication with ceremonies OF The
monument Seaside Park erected through the efforts
OF patriotic ladies to tho memory Of falon Union
soldiers The monument noble structure Of
granite So feet high and % feet square at the
base, Is surmounted by statue In bronze
representing America and above the base alcove
ingeniousy designed and wrought stands . statue OF
the Goddess OF Liberty in white MARBLE supported
either side by two figures in bronze representing the
Army and Navy. Tho work has been ten years in pro.
Of construction and cost nearly $50 The
monies OF dedication which were participated in BY
attachments OF soldery from the various military
carnations Of the State, including company Of In
fantry from the Twenty-seventh regiment, N.YSN G.,
began three o'clock In tho Bridgeport Opera House.
tho rain preventing the carrying OF the original
programme at tho park, by the singing OF tho tune
America" Rev. Il G. Hinsdals of this city, offered
prayer, and D. II. Sterling Chairman Of the Com
mtce of Exercises stated he object Of the assembage.
An original hymn, entitled
Toll the belil the brave sleeping
sung Unfortunately. the ceremonies OF unvcilna
the monument by the ladies' OF the Monument Assoca-
ton, the receiving and hosting half tho
national emblem by the color guard, the firing OF min
guns dirge, and the hosting OF the national aas
ut full mast had TO be dispensed WITH
Instead OF these the ''Star SpAngled Banner" all
M ,ns Was sung 10 grand se
cred the dedcatory address, which embraced history
of the scheme Tor monument and story Of tas
trials and sunerngs OF those In whose memory II
erected Eloquent allusion made to tue patriotic
devotion OF those who gave themselves the Of
liberty, the progress Of American institutions and the
growing refined sentiments which prompted the inau-
guraton OF work now so happily brought to compile
tion
A characteristic original poem was delivered bv
Colonel S B. Sumner.
GENERAL RAwLrY's srEKcu
General Joseph K Hawley, the orator Of the day,
spoke iolowsI had the honor ten years ago TO lay
the corner stone OF the monument which this day
assemble to dedicate | accepted your invitation
gladly and esteem honor to-day to contribute my
testimony to the excellence OF the completed work
You have done well, women aud men OF Bridgeport
Think of II For centuries to come this work will
stand as memorial OF your love and devotion. Foi
ages It will remain looking out upon the waters speak
ing It's silent benedicton and coronation. The same
story heard will be told then and they who ash
"what thiss will be told by fathers and mothers IL
the words OF vcncration
IL is honor to tako part In these ceremonies The
completion OF such monuments IS tribute to the SOL
diers no fought tho cause OF liberty They teach
the young and help toguard the iuure of the country
There are things more unfortunate than having war.
1t is worse than war TO permit the constitution bs
make the country feel safer than 1t felt BEFORE
We not afraid now OF the whole world. We have
a Jus,er self-respect than had before Twenty
years ago were the jest OF foreign novel writer's All
this Is now changed and have to thank these
dead soldiers Tor this renewed faith In human nature
The world Is better than some people say is Men
ever ready 10 fly TO the defence OF right Of
every twenty men who walk these streets nineteen
can be found willing IN emergency buckle on the
armor OF war, and OF the iorty millions OF our people
ninety mine out OF every hundred capable OF bear
ing arms viii willingly the call duty IN The
vas the CHI actoro of t,,,>
whose memory We would keep fresh and green The
great lessons OF the show that ted patrol
ism and reverence for the Institutions OF our couptry
are not all SHAM but living truths 10 be
This address concluded, WLittiers Ceuten NAL hymn
was sung. and General William II. Noble IN an clo-
qucnt speech, formally transferred the in
behalf Of the association to the city and Mayor
Moriord In his capacity chief magistrate acce pted
the same In an appropriate response The assembiaes
then joined In singing 'Od Hundred" to the worda
Though far and wids heroes sieep
Tho waves shall here their requien m sound
and Rev. d. O. Ferris pronounced the benediction
Among the distinguished invited guests presens
were Mayer Lewis, OF New Haven, ex.ConeressrSan
kellogg OF Waterbury; Lieutenant Governor George
g. sili and State Treasurer Raymond General W. Il
Morris General g. ). Whitehead and Colonel HusA OF
New York.