Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1897-06-02
WEST POINT MEMORIAL.
Everything Conspires to Make the
Ceremony Impressive and
Beautiful.

West Point. \. Y, May 31.-1n the
presence of 5000 people the secretary of
war and many high officials of the army
the battle monument erected by their
comrades in honor of the officers and sol
diers of the regular army who fell in bat
tie in the Civil war was dedicated today.
The showers of the night and the early
morning cleared away as the hour for the
ceremony approached and the sun was al
most uncomfOrtably warm by the time the
exercises began. Everything consplred TO
make the dedication of the monument an
impressive and dignifed ceremony.
Among those who occupied seats on the
speakers stand were Secretary Aiger'
cen Merritt. Gen. Rugglies, Gen. Frank
lin, Gen. Butterfeld, Gen. Stanton. Fay
master General Viele, Gen. SaXton and
James LongStreet.
The exercises opened with an invoca-
ton by Chaplain Shipman which he pref
aced with the recitation of the Lord
prayer, those in the pavilion joining
Then followed the presentation or the
monument to the United States army by
Brig.-Gen John NJ. Wilson, chief OF en-
gineers. Z. s. A.
Secretary of War Alger accepted the
monument, delivering the following ad-
dress:
Gen. Schoneid: BY command of the Presi-
dent, in whose name appear lOuaSs dCIePI
for the government of the United states inns
beautiful monument erected to her honored
dead 1t will stand lasting monument TO
those men who gave up their lives to save
this nation from destruction when the queS-
ton of its existence was given over to the
arbitrament of arms. This is the fitrest spot
in the land for its abiding place. Here is
the soldier school of the republic, famed for
the classic beauty of its surroundings and
sanctified by its association with the names
of men whose genius and valor in defense of
fha V-bi n6n rbnm N
profession of arms and whose loyalty to the
dag which here in their early manhood they
were taught to love and brought imperish-
able renown to the country OF their deVO-
ton. This, too, is the fttest day of all the
year for its unwilling and dedication, for 1t is
the day set apart by the people and by law
for popular tribute to those who on land and
sea offered their lives as a willing sacritce
upon the altar of loyalty and liberty:
1t will ever be gladly borne in mind that
this monument does not simply commend
rate the names and fame of those who wore
the insignia of rank. 1t is quite characters
tic in the chivalrous man VINO planned this
memorial to take thought of the humble but
equally devoted and daring men who fol-
lowed where they led The true soldier and
officer never forgets what he owes 10 the
men he commands.
In the history of all nations that made
them great in prosperity and in strength
has been achieved by the deeds of knightly
men in the field Ii truthfully be said
that greater disaster can come to 4 nation
than war; for life without honor is not worth
living. The spotless integrity of the men
who have graduated at this great academy
in their official and daily lives is a guide for
you wherever you may be called. Remem-
Der that you are marked men-the success
sors of those whose names must live imnor-
tai when succeeding generations shall have
passed away. You have their example for
your beacon light. Go forward then, know
ing that you have the prayers and hopes of
seventy millions of people with you, and
remember that over you floats the DrOudest
flag in the world. That flag shall guard the
life of every American in every land and at
whatever cost. Guard well then your heri-
tage, and keep ever before you the thought
that patriotism is the highest impulse In the
world.
1t is the fond hope of the best minds of
every land that the time may come-and that
in the near future-when armed forces in
the field shall no longer he required, when all
differences between nations shall be settled
by benign influences of mems best judg-
ment and that arbitration shall be substi-
tuted for artillery, musketry and the saber
But while man is mortal perhaps the hopes
that this contamination so devoutly wished
may become the rule of the world, may not
be realized, and it is therefore incumbent
upon every prudent people to at all times be
prepared for any emergency, so that if war
should come they would be in readiness.