Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-06-01
BY ALGER
Dedication Of the Battle Monument at
West Point.

~ est Point. \. \ o, May 3l.-ln ne 3aJ-
tie monument was dedicated here to-
dav. Secretary Alger. on behalf of The
governments accepting The spieadid
shaft from General Schofeld, who pre-
scented il on behalf Of The officers and
soldiers by whom il was erected.
Tn accounting the monument Secre-
tary Alger said: by command of tie
resident, in whose name | appear to-
day. , accept for the government Of tie
United States this beautiful monument,
erected 20 her hOnOrel dead IL will
stand O lasting monument 10 those mon
who gave up their lives TO save lhls
nation from destruction when the ques-
riou of it's existence was given over 10
the arhiramert Of arms. This is the
fttest spot in the land for It's abioing
place. Here is the soldier school Of
the republic. famed for the classic
beauty of It's surroundings. ana s9nCU-
fed by its association with he names
of men whose genius and yaiOr in
defense of the government which edu-
Gated hem to the profession of arms
and whose loyalty TO. the flag which
here i'm their early manhood they were
taught 10 love has brought impeTiShIble
rouOwn TO the country OF their devO-
ton. This too, is the fttest day of al
tho year fer its Unveiling and dcdicG-
J.ou for it is the day set apart ny ;he
people and by law for popular tribute
to those who on land and sea offered
their lives as a willing sacrifice upon
The altar of loyalty and liberty.
1T viii ever gladly be borne in
mind that this monument does not
simply commemorate the names AMI
fame Of those who wore the insignia
of rank. 1t is quite characteristic in
the chivalrOus men so planned this
memorial TO .ake thought Of the hum-
bic bEt equally devoted and daring men
who followed where they led. The true
soldier. and OF Ger never forgets what
Ge owes To the men he commands.
I'm The history Of all nations that
which has made them great in prosper
.jy and I'm strength has been achieved
I'm war. and the brightest of its pages
are ilumined by the deeds of knightly
men i'm the field. Ii can truthfully be
said that greater disaster can come to
nation than war. for life without honor
is not worth the living. The spOtless
integrity Of the men who have g"ad
uated ct this great academy in their
official and daily lives is guide for
YOU and wherever You may be called,
remember that YOU are marked men
the Successors of those whose names
must live immortal when succeeding
generations shall have passed dvay.
You have their example for your bea-
con 1ight. Go forward, then, knowing
that YOU have the prayers and hoDes Of
seventy millions of people with YOU,
and remember that over you floats the
proudest fax i'm the world. That iias
shall guard the life of every American
i'm every land, and at whatever cost.
Guard we'll then, your heritage, and
keen ever before YOU the thought that
patriotism is the highest impulse in the
world.
"It is the fond hope of the best minds
of every land that the time may come
and that in the near fUtWe-when
armed forces I'm the field shall 10 long
er be ~equircd; when all differences be-
tween nations shall be settled by be.
nigu Influences of mems pest judgment
and that a"piration shall be substl
mted for artillery. musketry and the
sabre But while man is mortal per-
hapS the hope that this contamination
SO devoutly wished may become the
rule of the world may not be realized,
and it is therefore incumbent upon
every proud people TO al all times he
prepared for any emergency SO that if
way should come they should be in
readiness.