The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-05-31

Colonel Bingham I'VE have with us
today the foremost citizen OF the Re
public. as well as statesmen who have
honored us on this occasion.
A Special Occasion.
Nowhere else in this country can
such a tribute be paid TO those who sac
r!ficed their lives as there can be paid
here on such day as this. We come
here with sad hearts in one sense and
Joyous hearts In another-sad that the
sacrifice had to be made, joyous that
out of il all came so much OF liberty.
OF union, and respect for our country.
Between the numbers on the program
were introduced brief musical selections
by the choir. They were composed by
DR.. Thomas Calver, and were approprl-
ate to each number which they pre-
coded. the whole forming a cantata.
Henry 8. Stevens. the department chap
lain. read the invocation. B. F. Chase.
the assistant adiutant general. read the
annual Memorial Day orders.
DR.. Thomas Calver then read a me-
mortal ode of several stanzas. "Tt is
sweet and glorious to die for ones cour-
try"
Col. E. b. Hay preceded his deliver
ance of Lincoln's Gettysburg address
with a brief speech characteristic OF
himself and the occasion. His rendition
of the great masterpiece OF eloquence
was well received.
Let vrorSs tha, Lam fran, nobIa besrt
To ring far down the ai.les Of time,
Their lessons to our lives impsrt.
And FL our minds with thought, sublime.
The mighty deeds of by.or- days
In words as mighty had their birth:
And eloquence the forces svays
That move the strongest sons Of earth.
This was the selection sung by the
choir before President Roosevelt was
introduced by Colonel Bingham. He
greeted him, waited for Il to subside;
and then began to speak.
General Torrance's Address.
AT the conclusion Of his address. Prof.
and was followed by Gen. Ell Torrance.
OF Minneapolis. the commander in chief
Of the G.. A. R. General Torrance spoke
in part as follows:
This is the soldiers coronation day
a day when all men speak his praise
when eloduence. poetry, and song attain
their widest compass and Hottest strain.
and the program of the patriots mem
DRY reaches the skies. This ever-in-
oreasing manifestation OF the nations
love for her defenders is ample COM
pensation for the soldiers sacrifices and
1t makes his wounds hon
orable, the graves OF his comrades sa-
cred. and their memory immortal. To-
day the alabaster box OF the peoples
love is broken and the land is filled with |
Its perfume: but tomorrow the tongues
Of detraction. palsied today. will again |
be heard feebly assailing. not the Illus |
,rious heroes who sleep In this beautiful |
city of the dead, but their surviving |
comrades, and those who by the SUI
preme mandates OF the American people |
are maintaining the honor of the flag |
and unfolding the rightful authority OF
this Government in the distant islands |
Of the sea. How incongruous to honor /
the memory of the soldier dead and dis
honor the character OF the soldier liv-
ing Who Is the American soldier? He |
Is the elector of the Republic. A SOW
sreign citizen. He comes from the home |
Of the people at the first call Of duty. a
volunteer in his country's cause and
the defense OF her flag In the hour of
peril. He is first citizen, but first and
last and always a patriot; better SOL
iier for having been a citizen. and a
letter citizen for having been soldier
The Work of the Soldier.
HE has given validity to declarations
II independence and made emancipation
possible. Brave and pat
lotto men have first written them with
nix. but the soldier has rewritten and
given them force and effect with his
ife's blood. He has been leader in
he worlds progress and since the day
he minute men stood guard at Con-
ord Bridge and fell dead at their door
itcps on Lexington green he has ever
,een on the firing line Of civilization.
rhe flag he loved may never encircle
he globe. but it Is his purpose that
he principles 1t represents shall be the
heritage of all people who dwell upon
he face of the earth. Liberty is ex-
,ansive. and the defender of liberty Is
III expansionist. Honor. peace, pros
,erity, and liberty. civil and religious
ave followed In the path of the soldier
or more than six-score years. On land
nd sea his deeds have been glorious
nd his achievements are the nations |
ichest possessions and her most en-
Turing inheritance. 1t is said that when
here is no vision the people perish.
Today, my comrades, our vision Is I'M
Instructed. Our eyes have again caught
he futter OF the old flags as they led
he painful md costly road to victory
Jur feet have again kept time to the
of phantom regiments as
hey march 10y. and orr hearts have
gain been quickcned by the distant
rho of bugles and the faint sound of
ar-away drums.
The Sacrifices of Home.
THE thoughts OF some have been clus-
cred around the old home in the peace
ul valley, with its sparkling spring and
fragrant flowers and luscious fruits.
)nce more you stood at its open door
IND bid tender farewell to loving
mother. whose tears were more pro-
'ious than pearls, and bid good-by to
IN affectionate father. whose heart was
90 full to utter word. Some have
made pilgrimages to graves that no hu-
nan feet can find-graves at the cross
ng OF the ford. on the mountain side.
n the deep shadow OF the woods, and
n the quiet valley, where the flowers
,loom and the birds sing. With new dis