The San Francisco call., 1898-03-05
Am ericanS Sob at the Graves of the Maine's
 Martyred Seamen.
Captain Sigsbee Tries to Speak, but Is Overcome by
 Emotion.
During the Placing of Flowers in the Havana Cemetery the Cere-
 monies Are Most Touching.
Copyrighted, 1898. by James Gordon Bennett.

| HAVANA, March 4.-Wreaths were placed upon the graves of the dead
 seamen from the Maine in Christobal
 Colon Cemetery to-day, and appropri-
 ate services were held there. Nearly every American now in Havana was
 present and all stood with uncovered
 heads in a circle around the rude
 mounds of clay while Captain Sigsbee placed the flowers, and as they listened to the touching prayer uttered by Chaplain Chidwick The demonstra- ton was spontaneous Many Amerl-
 cans now about to leave Cuba could not bring themselves to depart without first
 paying a tribute to the dead heroes, and last night the movement took definite form when George c. Mages, Chi
 cago tourist, drew up the following me-
 morial:
 American citizens: Havana placed
 the first wreath of flowers on the
 graves of the heroes of the battle-ship Maine. May Americans in Havana in future years continue this custom year
 by year. May they keep sacred the
 memory of those whose lives were sac
 rificed upon the altar of their coun- try"
 This was placed upon the desk at the Hotel Ingleterra and was quickly signed by all Americans in the hotel. A procession of fifty carriages start ed from the Ingleterra for the ceme- tery this afternoon. Consult General Lee and Captain Sigsbee rode in the first carriage. In the second were
 Chaplain Chadwick and a priest sent by General Blanco. Then followed
 American tourists, residents and news paper correspondents, probably 200 in all. Arriving at the cemetery group
 quickly formed about the graves. Cap tain Sigsbee intended to make short address, but his feelings overcame him
 and sobs choked his words. The situ- ation was most distressing and tears streamed down the faces that had not
 known tears before in many years. Mr. Mages went to the relief of Cap tain Sigsbee, and in a few words told
 of the occasion of the gathering. Then all listened while Chaplain Chidwick 1 in a voice breaking with emotion ut
 tered the following prayer:
 Almighty, all-merciful God, whose | providence is to have mercy and save, we humbly beseech thee, have mercy | on the souls of thy children. that all though their dust lies in this conse- | crated spot. their souls immortal may
 live and reign with thee in company of the blessed forever. Remember, God, they are thy creatures, made by thy hands; that they believed ana nOpeu
 in thee Bless, we beseech thee,s'their
 most fruitful faith. Look forgivingly
 upon this last awful sacrifice in which
 they ended their lives. Give them the
 reward of their faith. fulfllment of
 their hope, through Jesus Christ, our Lord Amen. Most merciful Father. mindful of the passion and death or thine only begotten Son. who offered himself, holy holocaust upon the cross for our salvation, grant these thy ser wants through his sufferfngs forgive ness for their sins and life everlasting Regard the comedy figure of thy we'll beloved Son. Behold his body torn and lacerated and crucified and dead and buried Grant that these hum1l1at1onS and pains will not be for naught for
 our beloved dead, but that they may come into possession of their great re-
 gard. which was purchased by Christ's precious blood. Jesus Christ, our leader and our captain, who died to teach us how to die. to teach us the
 nothingness of death and prove life
 beyond, may thy wounds be source
 of food and drink and eternal life for our dead. May thy cross be their
 glory, thy death their everlasting life, thy resurrection their comfort and so- lace, and thy eternal presence their abiding joy forever. Eternal rest grant
 them and may the perpetual light of the Lord shine upon them. May their souls through the mercy of God rest in
 peace. Amen"
 At the conclusion of the prayer Con- sul-General Lee tried to speak, but seeing distress on every countenance,