Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-30
Mr.. Cnllins' Addreas.

Ar. CDllins' Address.
Mr.. Collins address was delivered in
forcible. eloquent mannsr. and he began
by saying that the services of the day and
its observance were born of battle out of
the love and respect which men entertain
for bravery in BATH. Drawer men the
world never knew. he said. than those
Americans who fought at Bunker HILL on
Lake Erie. in Mexico and at Gettysburg
and as brave as they were. their bravery
was equaied by thoss who were with Dewey
at Manila. who stormed San Juan Hill and
those who saw SPANS proud fleet go down
before the guns of Schiey's men 1t Is APP
propriate and fitting, he said, that such
bravery and sacrifice should be remembered
and that the graves of the dead should
be forever decorated Mr.. Collins then pro-
ceeded to discuss the late war with Spain,
saying that America forever gave the lie
to the oft-repeated assertion that we are
a nation of money makers alone. That war,
he said. was fought in humanitys name
alone. that freedom might succeed tyranny.
Its results no man had even dreamed of,
and it will go down into history as one of
the most remarkable. 1t lasted but 100 days,
yet * revolutiupiZed the map of the world.
Such picture of American patriotism
was never exhibited. volunteers springing
at thu Presidents call from Yankee land
and from Dixie land. and all marching
| thank God, to the glory of one flag and
forever united country. II nothing else had
been obtained remarked the speaker Amer
! lea has not only taught the world the true
meaning of American patriotism but also
! the value of the man behind the gun, the
! thinking man, against whom nothing can
prevail
Contempt for Those Who Shirk.
Speaking of the responsibilities which
| have come to this country out of the Span
ish war. Mr.. Collins said he has only con-
tempt for those who shirk them or who
would advise that we give up that which
we have won 1t would be. he thought,
nothing less than cOwarIiice to attempt TO
shlrk them. and a sad reflection on the
courage of those who died for their coun-
try. The secret OF our success, he said is
not hard to discover, for we have only to
look al the man behind the guns, the man
with brains who employed them in his
country's behalf. This glory needs no re-
hearsing and what prouder boast, he ask
| ed. IS there than Did / not fight with
| Dewey at Manila?" Was | not with
Schley at Santiago bay?"
The function of war, said Mr.. Collins is
not merely TO destroy, but 10 build up, and
| that will be the duty and province of Amer
| lea. now that the war with Spain is over
| That war, he declared, gave a standing
among the nations of the earth such as we
/ never held before. That position should
never be relfnqushed and 1t never will he
asserted. What was wisdom In Washing
tons day Is or may be nonsense now and
/ we must face our responsibilities, thanking
| God that We live in the United States of
America, the best country the sun ever
| looked down upon. or ever will
| As Mr.. Collins concluded he was greeted
| with much enthusiasm. and after the as
/ sen1blage had sung THE Star Spaugled
! Banner the benediction was pronounced
| by Mr.. Kirby. and the graves were then
| decorated