The record-union., 1899-05-31

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memories of the past, to reflection upon
the duties and privileges of citizenship,
and better laws and the spirit of loftier
! patriotism will be the result.
Let US on this day at least teach our
children to revere the memory of those
who freely gave their lives that peace
and happiness might be their portion
in the days yet to come.
| I call upon the mighty power of the
| press to lead the way and frown upon
any attempt to desecrate Memorial
| Day by commons sports or the ordinary
business of life. This day does not be-
long alone to the Grand Army Of the
! Republic, or to any other organized
body of men. 1t belongs to the whole
American people, and by all alike
| should be respected and revered.
History teaches that one of the most
fruitful causes of national decay lies in
! forgetfulness of national duties. The
lust for pleasure and the greed for gain
scar the conscience and stifie the sense
of duty.
Again, I say, let the American people
consecrate this day to the duties of cit
izenship, and by doing honor to the
memory of our heroic dead, revive anew
the spirit of patriotism.
The year just past has been a most
eventful one, not only to US, but to the
world. America, rising to the stature
of robust manhood, has assumed her
rightful place in the conduct of the
worlds affairs, and in SO doinS has
taught the nations that the highest duty
of government is to respect the rights
/ CT a common humanity.
In conquering and humbling to the
dust the kingdom of Spain, a govern
ment which for hundreds of years has
been as cruel and rapacious as the
Turk, not only have the unhappy people
of Cuba and Porto Rico and the Phil
! ippines been rescued from the awful
cruelties of savage masters, but the
Armenian question has been settled. for
/ as sure as the sun shines to-day in
cloudless skies if the unspeakable Turk
continues to persecute that unhappy
race, United America will demand IN
the name Of humanity that the persecu-
| tions cease, and will enforce her de-
maEds in the same way, and with the
same success achieved in the war just
closed. The burden will not be imposed
upon US alone, because the Anglo-Saxon
race, more closely united than ever be-
/ fore, has determined that the inherent
rights of all men shall be respected by
their rulers, whatsoever may be their
color tongue or nationality.
That influence has become most po-
tent. A wonderful congress of the ma
tions is now in session at The Hague,
and its object is the disarmament of the
| Powers in the interest of universal
peace.
| Complete success may not be the re-
suit of its deliberations, but the seed
sovn will grow, and the forward step
| taken in the cause Of true civilization
can never be retracted, for the people
of all lands will in the future demand
of their rulers a truer spirit of justice
in the administration of national and
foreign affairs. The arbitration of all
national disputes is nearer at hand than
ever before, and God grant that that
day may soon come.
The year has developed the remark
able adaptability of our people to cir
cumstances.
On the 10th day of February, 1898,
the battleship Maine, lying at anchor
age in the harbor of Havana, suddenly
and without moments warning was
rent by an awful explosion, and sink
ing slowly to the muddy bottom Of the
bay, carried to a watery grave 25G
brave sailor lads, the pick of the Ameri-
can navy. A thrill of horror convulsed
the nation. Our army all told num-
bered but %, GOO men, our navy incom-
plete and scattered. War was declared
on April 25th, and within 100 days from
that time 200, 900 fully equipped soldiers
were in the field, and our magnificent
navy had fought the battles of Manila
and Santiago, and driven from the seas
the commerce of Spain. What magnifi-
cent fighters our boys are and have all
ways been, and how willingly and
quickly they return to the arts Of peace
when the flag is furledl
I want 100000 men to do battle for
the honor of the nation proclaims the
President, and within a fortnight 300
OOO citizens of the republic are crowd
ing upon each other in their eagerness
to respond to their country's CALL
Don't mind me, boys. Go on with
the fght!" shouts the gallant Capron
when stricken to the death while storm
ing the nights of San Juan, and when
the sun feH on that eventful day a
heroic soul had winged it's upward
flight to God.
Close the entrance to the harbor of
Santiago demanded naval strategy,
and the man and the men for the occa-
sion We're there, and in the dead of
night, guided only by the light of the
stars, Hobson and his heroic comrades
sailed to what seemed certain death
Funston and Smith and Duboce are
on the firing line" General Otis cables
to the Secretary of War, and the ma
tion is thus informed that Malolos and
Caloocan have been captured and the
rebels put to flight
Capture or destroy Montejo's fleet"
the President cabled to the commander
of the Asiatic squadron, and within for
ty-eight hours the Olympia, the Balti-
more, the Boston and other gallant
SHIPS OF the line were steaming to meet
the foe in Manila Bay, where they
awaited our coming, shielded by the
guns of Cavite and Corregdor.
The world knows the rest. and what
heart does not beat with swelling pride
when l name the hero of Manila Bay,
Admiral George Dewey,
The year has demonstrated the superb
GOODNESS, the bravery, the daring and
the absolute fearlessness of the Ameri-
can soldier and sailor
The limits of my address will not per-
NIT me to name more particularly those
who have brought renown to American
arms, save one, and he was the man
who held the helm and safely and Sc
curely guided the nation to glorious vic
tory. With patient hand and yet with
iron determination, for two months af
ter the Maine disaster, he held back the
o.+s NfC ~,