The Portland daily press., 1898-09-06

and the CO lnciiman pei formed the dnty
in a most satisfactory way.
Councilman F. F. Driscoll, in place of
Chief Engineer Eldridge accepted the
monument in these words:
MR.. DRISCOLL'S ADDRESS.
We have assembled here today to honor
class of men who in the broadcast and
deepest sense of the term are the
guardians Of our homes.
You have gathered here today in order
that we may confirm and ratify our ap-
probation OF the noble work of our public
spirited citizens through the medium OF
the monument association in erecting
this enduring token to the memory of our
fremen.
This programme, this memorial rite is
not tribute to literary genius, to official
service or scientific distinction. it Is a
tribute to those men who with a devotlon
| which merits only praise, have gone
bravely forth in performance OF duty.
which is attended at all times Dy
many dangers and much sacrifice.
Americans love their heroes and during
our war with Spain we were filled with
| joy and admiration at the achievements
of our soldiers and sailors, and now while
| it is practically finished we find sad
memories in it's wake. We mourn for
| those who only few months ago departed
| in full possession of health and manly
vigor, but who have since given thei T
| matters not whether upon the field Of
battle or by disease they died, we ars only
conscious of the fact that they died for
| their country. The citizens of Portland
may be called upon and hope at an early
date to erect monument to their
memories, for it Is not likely that Ameri-
cans can soon forget such service as
theirs. No not while we can remember
our friends and heroes, not while the
blood of the war Of thu revolution, the
war of 1912, the war for the union and
the war with Spain courses through our
veins.
But whether or not we erect monu-
men5 to commemorate their herolsm, this
much is certain, there exists and will
continue to exist far grander mont ument
than any reared by human hands, for
their deeds of valor are implanted In the
hearts of our citizens which is the shrine
of bravery and patriotism.
But my friends we have assembled here
today to do honor to another class or cltl.
zens and while theirs is the patriot SIN OF
the piping times of peace. it is OF such Q
recognition. The bravery of the Amer1-
| can hremen Is not confined to any one
section or limited to any one period. 1t
stands out boldly throughout the length
| and breadth of our land. The fireman is
| constantly exercising heroism and
| working achievements which call forth
our admiration and to which the hearts
of men render spontaneous honor, and
we would indeed be false to our nature
if VIC did not indulge in the efYusions of
our gratitude. The fireman goes forth to
attack an enemy which occasionally
bursts forth in our midst dev curing and
destroying the achievements of human
skill and the hopes of enterprise Who
can stay itp With a triumphant shout 1t
bursts its fetters of stone and wood, it
wars with victory, it bends its flaming
form towards our peaceful homes. some
times while we are engaged In uncon-
scious slumber and in what battlefield
that you have read of was there ever dis
played loftier heroism than that man
displays who plunges through the flames
and smoke and makes of his body a
barrier between his fellowmen and the
flames, and beats back the red terror and
beats it down with that resistless energy