Pleasantville weekly press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1890-1911, 1896-06-03

otic. Recent events had shown that
this was not true, and he believed that
now as in 1861, the sons would spring
to arms as readily as did their fathers
if the country needed their services.
At the conclusion OF Mr. Lake s address
Mrs. G. H. Jenness read "The Battle"
a thrilling piece descriptive OF the title,
that make the old veterans recall the
conflicts of other days.
Mr.. G. H. Jenness, OF the press" was
then introduced and said in part: Amid
such scene as this a man ought to
feel the inaration of his surroundings.
Here, if anywhere, he ought to be moved
to eloquent differences when surrounded
by youth and beauty and valor and
the association OF patriotic memories.
These flowers, SO charmingly arranged
sneak of fair hands and faulGless taste.
The thrill of music captivates our senses
and the sight OF these veteran soldiers
recalls the memory OF heroic struggles,
and the wreeh OF laurel upon these empty
chairs are silent reminders that Death
has made it's annual inroad upon the
ranks. There are many here who have
been born since the wer ended. They
! know OF it only by hear. or by reading
about it. Whatwas it aQ about, what
did it cost, and was it worth what we
paid for it are questions worthy OF an
answer. 1t cost about three hundred
and fifty thousand lives and an incredible
sum ofmoney. 1t cost more money in
silver dollars than would load a freight
train reaching from here to Atlantic
City. Tt cost more than can be measured
by money. There are son things that
cannot be reckoned by dollars an6 cents
Canthe mother put a money value upon
the child she holds in her arms? Can
you fix the price of an amputated arm
orleg, or lifetime struggle with disea Sc
Can you name the sum that honor and
courage and patriotism is worth? Is
there any unchanging value for sundered
ties and broken hearts These men here
beforeme tonight fought for something
more than their thirteen dollars month.
Ii that WAS all they got cheated. They
fought ior National unity and the pro-
lection OF the flag. The flag is something
more than q mere piece of bunting that
costs so much per yard. 1t means the
protection OF the humblest citizen. It
means your protection and mine and
the protection OF our children. Pin but
a two-cent flag, an inch square, upon
your coat, and no nation on earth dare
touch you. We went to war once, in
1872, because Great Britain insisted
upon the right of search, but since that
time you men who follow the sea can
sail to the uttermost parts of the earth
in safety. Only two weeks ago the Span
ish authorities seized the Competitor s
crew and condemned them to be shot
without a civil trial. Have they been
shot ? Mol Why not? Because the Unit
ed States has said to Spain, ''these men
are American citizens. Shoot them II
you darel The message cabled was i n
politer language than that, but that
was wh at it meant. To these old sol
diers before me feel like taking of my
hat, and 1 don't like to hear people
allude to them as do sometimes, as
government paupers." They earned
more than they get; we all owe them
debt OF gratitude. Mr.. Jenness closed
by suggesting plan for the better cele-
bration OF the day in future under the
auspices OF the citizens OF Pleasantville
in which all the civic organizations should
take part, and thus make the occasion
one worthy OF the Day.
Ex-senator William I. Newell was
the next speaker drafted from the audi
ence. He said he felt that he had been
paid high compliment in being invit-
ed to speak upon such an occasion IN
the presence OF comrades. The Amerl-
can flag was not out OF place in church
in the House OF God, and the worthy
pastor has done well to set before US
this combination OF religion and patri-
otism. He was surprised that all the
pastors in town were not here to Join
in the exercises, for they would have
no churches to preach in to-day. Had
it not been for the services of men who,
here and elsewhere, are this day held
in remembrance. Mr. Jenness alluded
to the protection afforded by the flag
No one knows as well as an American
sailor about that. There are many such
here before me, and I was, for many
years sailor and a captain myself.
Ihave seen many practical illustra tions
of the protection afforded, in foreign
waters, by the Stars and Stripes. re-
member one occasion in Cuba. A sailor
from our vessel had been wantonly with
out provocation on the wharf by quar-
relsome Spaniard. I pulled an oar in
the boat sent to demand redress Of the
authorities. Our little vessel lay at the
mercy of guns from two forts hundreds
OF feet up steep hill and where they
might almost have sunk US by throw
ing down rocks. Another shore battery
along the water g edge might have sent
us to the bottom with single shot.
Wecarried dtheAmericanflagand demand
ed the murderers OF our comrade. In
less than four hours he was surrender
ed and we executed summary punishment
by hanging him at the yard arm.
In regard to pay say we can never
sufficiently pay these men who fought
to preserve our liberties. When was
chairman Of the pension committee OF
the Senate OF Pennsylvania, was called
the "Pension Senator because WASH It
very particular about putting too many
stumbling blocks in the way OF the old
veterans of the war when l thought
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