New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-31
LESSON FOR GENERATIONS.

I congratulate the people Of Brooklyn, not pri-
fnarily upon raising this statue, because that
they should do. but upon the opportunity, upon
the chance Of having 1t to raise. I congratulate
them upon the good fortune of having a fellow
citizen who in war and peace alike served the
people we'll to make it their duty to erect
statue. that 1t might serve as a lesson for the
generation to come.
And, my fellow citizens, am sure all realize
the peculiar appropriateness Of having the
statue Of General S5lOcum received on behalf of
the city of New-York by its chief magistrate
whose father was General Slocum's illustrious
commander. Surely, there is need for me to say
but little in emphasis of what has been set
forth before began TO speak to the prime
Significance of General Slocun's career. He was
q great soldier q most courageous and able COM
mander. once the war was over he turned his
hand to the pursuits OF peace, as he turned It.
when the need was to the side Of arms. Cen
eral Slocur1l was one OF those men whose careers
we are able to understand We do not have TO
dwell emphasize upon certain things in his
career, because We DO not care to enter upon
others. We are able to point to General Slocum
as type CT what q decent American citizen
should be: a. man who was an example in his
family life. an example in his business relations,
an honest and upright public servant not less
than an able soldier.
Now, want you people to remember the two
sides of the lesson taught by General Slocum's
life. OF course q war, a successful war for IN
It IS a thing that sets back moro than aught
else the course Of civilization. And no people
worth preserving ever existed or will exist that
was not able to fight, If need arose; and so with
the individual, the man who possesses great
ability and great courage, unacconpan1ed. by
the moral sense, the courage and ability
guided By the stern purpose to do what is just
and upright, that man Is rendered by the fact
Of having the courage and ability so much the
greater menace TO the community in which he
unfortunately dwells.
TWO SIDES OBJ LIES WORK.
We cannot afford as q people ever to forget
for one moment that ability, farsghte dnesa, Iron
resolution. perseverance, willingness to do and
bear, are qualities to be admired only If they
are put forth in the service OF the right, in the
service Of peace and Justice. The man who pos
sesses these qualities and does not shape his
course by fundamental and underlying prinoi-
pie is the who is a menace to each and
other man who condones his moral shortcomings
because Of his individual strength and power.
That Is one side. The other side is that no man
or good intention, no OF any sweetness OF
IiIe, Iaus In the rough work of the world as we
tlr II unless with ell the honesty OF purpose
backed by the deoency Of life he loses the power
that makes q man man.
what is true of the individual is true OF the
nation. It is TO the last degree desirable-I will
put II stronger-it is absolutely essential that
future that 1t has held in the past must act
not only within but without its own borders in
the spirit or Justice and OF large generosity
toward all other people. We, owe this obliga-
ton to ourselvesI We owe this obligation to all
mankind More and more as we increase in
strength hope for corresponding increase IN
the sober sense OF responsibility which shall pre-
vent US either injuring or insulting any other
people.
You may notice that said insulting" as we'll
as inJurfng. If there is one quality among US
which is eommendRble it is the habit OF speak
ing loosely about foreign powers or foreign
races. You do not need TO be told that IN pri-
Vate ufsayou will often resent an insult quite as