Evening star., 1897-05-31
HONOR VALIANT DEAD
Dedication of the Battle Monument at
West Point.
DISrINGUlRHED PEOPLE PRESENT
Eloquent Speeches by Secretary
AIger and Justice Brewer.
CEREMONY WAS IMPRESSIVE

WEST POINT, N Y. May J-.-In the
presence of 5000 people, the Secretary of
War and many high officials OF the army.
the battle monument erected by their COM
rades in honor of the officers and soldiers
of the regular army who fell in battle In
the civil war was dedicated today.
The showers of the night and the carly
morning cleared away as the hour for the
ceremony approached, and the sun was
almost uncomfortatly warm by the time
the exercises began. Everything conspired
to make the dedication of the monument
an impressive and dign,hed ceremony.
Among those who oco upied seats on the
speakers stand were Col. Ernst superin-
tendent of the academy; Col. Mills, the
academic board. members of the board of
visitors and the following distinguished
army officers and former graduates of the
Military Academy:
The Secretary of War; Gen. Wiley Mer-
ritt, %; Gen. J. S. Greene, '53; Gen. George
d. Rusgles. 80; Gen. w. B. Franklin. '43;
Gen. Daniel Butterfield. Gen; T. Stanton.
Paymaster General +. l.. Viele. 'i6; Gen.
Rufus Saxton, 10; Gen. w. F. Smith, '45:
Gen. ]. H. Wilson, 80; Gen. Alexander S.
Webb. 80; Gen. James Longstreet, ~; Mr..
sey; Col ]. c. Tidball, AS; Col. E. Lansdon,
Col Alfred Mordecai, 81, Col. j. j. Upham
IS.
Opened With m Invocation.
The exercises opebed with an invocation
by Chaplain Shipman, which he prefaced
with the recitation of tie Lords Prayer,
those in the pavilion joining
Then followed the presentation of the
monument to the United States army. by
Brig. Gen. John NJ. Wilson chief of en-
gIneers, L. S. A.
After the presentation of the monument
to the government Secretary Alger made
an address formally receiving the shaft on
the part of the government.
Gen. AIser's Address.
Mr. Alger then spoke as follows:
General Schoiield: By command of the
President. in whose name appear today.
L accept for the government of the United
states this beautiful monument erected to
her honored dead. 1t will stand a lasting
nlemento TO those men who gave their lives
to save this nation from destruction when
the question of its existence was given
over to the arbitrament of arms. This is
the httest spot in the land for it's abiding
place Here is the soldier school of the
republic. famed for the classic beauty of
its surroundings, and sanctifed by lis asso-
cldticn with the names of men whose
genius AMI valor in defense of the govern
ment which educated them to the profess
sion Of arms. and whose loyalty to the
rag which here in their early manhood
they were taught 20 love, has brought i'm
perisEable renown to the country of heir
deFotlon This, too, is the fittest day of all
the year for its unveiiing and dedication
Ior II Is the day set apart by the people
ana oy the law for popular tribute to tn ose
who on land and sea offered their lives a
wiling sacrifice upon the altar of loyalty
and liberty. 1t is pleasant to remember as
We gaze for the first time upon this grace
1ui smart that every Union soldiers grave
Within reach of our people has been s.-ewu
by lovlng hands with beautiful flowers
and l. Is sweet TO fancy that the graves un-
marked and unknown. scattered through
out the land wherever soldiers fought and
Qlec, are not left unadorned by the kindly
hand of nature.
monument to Private Soldier, Too.
1t will he ever gladly borne in mind that
this monument does not simply commemo-
rate the names and fame of those who
wore the insignia of rank. 1t rescues and
brings out into the light. to share in that
way the fame of their commanders names
little known or much remembered save in
the small circle of home and loved ones
II was quite characteristic of the chiyal-
rous men who planned this memorial to
take thought of the humble. but equally
devoted and daring. men who followed
Mnere they led. and who equally with
nope OF fame. gave their lives in the line
OF duty. Had they forgotten. which they
could not, the rank and file. without whose
discipline. fidelity and bravery there is no
fame for a commander they would have
been less the ideal soldiers that they were
and less worthy of remembrance for the
true soldier and officer never forgets what
ne owes to the men he commands
1t Is altogether well and worthy that
these names of enlisted men are borne
upon this monument in one grand muster
roii with those of their commanders. Could
thls smart, now towering above u.s. have
been builded as high as the deeds of the
men In whose memory 1t Is erected deserve
its eapstone. indeed. would be lost beyond
the skies.
In the history of all nations that which
has made them great in prosperity and in
strength has been achieved in war and the
brightest Of its pages are illumined by the
deeds Of knightiy men in the field. 1t can
truIhfully be said that greater disaster
can come to nation than war, for life
without honor is not worth the living, and
the short span that is given to man even
at It's greatest length. is nothing as COM
pared to the sustaining of the dignity and
strength OF the nation and the keeping
alive that patriotism which is so essential
to Its existence
None Can Describe War.
Many men have seen war in Its terrible
aspect. but to none is it given to describe
1t. War should be but for defense, else
providence were seemingly but the play
thing for mems passions. Even today the
greatest nations of the earth must see its
horrors in both hemispheres. regretful that
such struggles must come, hopeful that
from the conflict may spring a lasting
peace From all people has come the rev.
erence Of the most heroic deed that can be
Performed by mortal man-death in the de-
Tense of country. home and faith. Greater
far than the glory which crowns the victor.
more sublime than tongue can picture him.
lies in the dust at the feet Of armies, the
soldier who served without hope of reward
or glory. and fell TO be buried and named
Unknown
Now a word to you young men gath
cred here today. whose profession Is war
The spotless integrity of the men who
have graduated at this great academy in
their official and daily lives Is a guide for
you. and wherever you may be called
whether In time Of peace or armed con-
fict. remember that you are marked men
the successors of those whose names must
live immortal when succeeding genera
tons shall have passed away Should
name these men the pulse would quicken,
and the glory of the old flag they defended
would brighten in your thoughts but you
nave their example for your beacon light.
90 Forward then. in life. young men,