Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-29
REVERE HIS MEMORY
Addresses and Music About Hi
Statue At the cspitol-Garlands
Of Flowers


For the first time since the statue OF Pres
ident Lincoln was placed In the rotunda at
the Capitol special services were held there
today in tribute to the memory of the de-
ceased President. The exercises were
planned and carried out by the Capitol po-
lice force, under Capt. j. P. McGrath. who
was In charge OF the exercises Many of
the members of the force are ex-soldfers.
The statue of Lincoln. which is considered
the best work of Mrs Winnie Ream Hoxie,
was decorated with large. wreath of flow
srs and small silk aags. and q large flag
hung directly behind the statue. large
crowd gathered to do honor to the great
lfberator, and the ceremonies were fully in
keeping with the memory of Lincoln; simple
but exceedingly impressive.
The musical features were of a high or
der. including Kipling's Recessional by
Prof. Jasper D. McFall. rendered with
striking effect the clear full notes rolled
up into the towering dome. Prof McFall
was accompanied on the piano by his
daughter. Miss Marian McFail. Several
beautiful selections were rendered by the
choir OF Hamline Methodist Church. Mrs.
ID. B. Smart, Mrs e. B. Spencer, Mr.. Mel
vile Seaman and Mr.. G. F. Roberts.
Introductory Remarks.
The Introductory remarks were made by
Capt. McGrath. We meet today" he said,
ito do honor to the memory of Abraham
Lincoln, the savior of q nation, the pre-
server OF the union of states and the eman-
cipator Of a race from the bondage OF
slavery.
In the long years Of war which harrow
ed his soul he never for one moment wa
veredin his determination to keep inviolate
his oath to protect and defend the Consti-
tuition and the established government OF
a free people. No greater exemplification
can be given than is contained in the words
spoken by the immortal Lincoln when he
said to the enemies of the republic: You
have no oath registered in heaven to de-
stroy the government, while have taken
an oath to protect and defend it.
In all the broad land there can be no
name more deserving of the tribute we be-
ham Lincoln"
He then placed on the pedestal wreath
OF galax leaves and roses.
The invocation was by Mrs. Ida j. Hart
past president of the department. who was
followed by Mrs. Ida A. OIdroyd of Lin
coin Corps, past department president and
past junior vice president of the Woman's
Relief Corps. Mrs. Oldroyd spoke of the
tender memories which cluster around the
name of Lincoln. and declared that all
were made finer and better by thoughts of
him and the great work he did for the free
dom of an enslaved race.
Lfneolns Gettysburg address was read by
Mr.. F. N. Weber the Capitol detective
The principal address was made by Col
Benz. f. Bingham, past commander of the
Department OF Potomac. G. A. r.
Col. Bingham's Address.
Col. Bingham said, In part:
1T is very appropriate that this assem-
bly, is here today to do honor to one Of
Americas greatest men, and 1 count my
self fortunate, by the courtesy of the COM
mittee of arrangements in being permit
ted to share in the ceremonies of the hour
Il heartily congratulate the veterans of
the Capitol police in bringing about this
beautiful service and contributing the funds
necessary to defray the expenses incident
thereto, for In thus honoring another they
have honored themselves.
Whose statue in all this broad land
Is more deserving of such a tribute than
his? What soldiers statue or grave on
the morrow, the annual Memorial day
Of the Grand Army of the Republic, will
receive attention more worthfly?, None.
I am sure. There are Grant and his able
iieutenants, Sherman and Sheridan
Thomas, Meade and Logan-names that
are historic because of services well done
by those who carved their names high
on the scroll of fame. Their statues
and graves deserve and shall receive just
recognition from a grateful people for
their loyalty to country and valor dis
played on hundreds of battlefelds. But
of them, and other soldiers of their pc
Rod. their glory rests not alone on what
they did, but, rather, is derived from
the power and influence of the man
whom We honor today-what he said and
did during those four most responsible
years of his life.
None here or elsewhere shall excel
me in awarding deserved tribute to our
soldier and sailor dead but always my
first love and honor go out to Abraham
Lincoln-the greatest soldier of them
all.
War Hard Master.
War is hard master and often settles
greaet questions forever. Our great civil war
was no exception to the rule, for 1t pro-
nouneed certain DEGREES and made them as
everlasting as the hills which were planted
ages ago And VIA. were those DEGREES?
No more disunion and rebellion, no more
slavery, but in their places Liberty and
Union, one and inseparable now and for
ever Putting the result of the great ques-
ton Mr.. Lincoln so ably handled for four
years, it was settled for all time that the
nation was bigger than state, and the
Union cannot be dissolved at will, and
that liberty is better than slavery. 1t was
not until Appomattox that Liberty and
Union were writtei- in imperishable letters
upon the folds of our flag and their real
meaning made good forever.
Mr. Lincoln was a true American. He
was for one side, the American side. So
American union of states, and SO are we.
He was for one flag, the stars and stripes.
always; and we. And why not?
Who would want to be other than like
him?
ION the night of April IA. 1865. forty-two
days after his second inauguration he went
down in death by assassin's hand-inno-
cent of having zone any wrong to the man
who fired the fatal shot. But his great
life work was done; he had abolished siav-
cry and saved the Union. He is greater
dead than living, and this can be truly
said of only the few.
IF / could place before you living pic
ture of Lineoln's chief characteristics and
the two things that made him great would
say: 1t was his masterfulness over men
and his emancipation proclamation and saw
ing the Union without slavery. Upon these
three things his fame rests today and will
for all time
Lincoln's favorite poem. "Why Should
the Spirit of Mortal Be Proud?" was re-
cited by Mrs. Katharine M. Phillips of Lin
coin Corps.
Members of the Force.
The Capitol police force which planned
the ceremonies, is composed follows:
Lieut.. E. D. Sterling. Sergt. D. r. Nichols,
W b. Greene L. d. Cummins. A. Farrell,
A T. Hodge, NJ L. Piper, w. s. Perkins.
IT,