Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-06-24
SEC. TAFT AT YALE.
Continued from Page One.)

tier spectacle was ever seen at Yale
than uhcn the 1898 men in their rough
riders costume encircled the white
pavement from which the flagstaff
rises ana the members of other classes
filled III roy after row behind them
and then back OF all hundreds of Wo-
men in their summer attire. The steps
of tn" Memorial buildings were also
throngcG and the bright colored para
soils here and there lent additional col
or to tn" scene.
The flagstaff ceremonies were very SIM
pie. Edward Sherman, the class Secr"ta-
~ stepped on a temporary platform and
announced that the occasion WAS that
of dedication of Il memorial to Il member
of the class who gave his life i'll the
SpaEisIi-Alnerican war. Then as he spoke
Secretary Taft, accompanied 10y President
Iiadley, left the administration building
and, passing through the throng. joined
MI Sherman. Sec. Taft was at once i'll.
troduccd and spoke very briefly. after
reading Il biographical sketch of Lieut..
LcdA ard.
MI. President: On behalf OF the Class
Of '9S, it becomes my duty to present to
y"l this memorial of Yale courage and
Yale patriotism. The United States III
1898 entered upon Il war with motives of
he purcSt altruisn. The United States,
the people of the United States, rccog
uize that Il nation among nations had
duty towards its fellow nations as a citi
zen has his duty towards his fellow cti-
zens. In the course of the val with
;,I, ,ct viii
carried 1000 miles away to the Philippine
Islands and there fate thrust upon us
the guardianship of 100000 of people,
who today are struggling towards d high
CT existence. We accepted the guardian
ship thus thrust upon us and i'll the
course of bringing: that people to IL higher
level and giving them 4 proper uplifting
it was absolutely necessary that we
should restore order in the islands in or
der that the arts Of peace might so on,
in order that the people might be edu-
Gated and trained in the art of self
government. In the course of that estab
lishment of order the army of the United
States was called upon as a most neces-
sary instrument, and under the scorchins
of the tropical sun, and under the even
greater burden of torrential downpour,
the men of the army of the United States
were exposed to dangers and called upon
to exhibit a courage which was not ex-
ceeded in any war in which the United
States has ever been engaged.
las it has been in every war in which
our country has been engaged. Yale men
have displayed courage, patriotism and
self-devotion that we like to believe and
L. 1a,,
the elms of dear old Yale.
among the young men who went on:
for their country was Augustus Garfield
Ledyard and at the instance of his class
in order that note may be made of his
useful life. l stop to give the few details
which are recorded here upon this memo
rial"
At this point Secretary Taft read from
sketch prepared for the occasion by
the class secretary. Mr.. Sherman.
Continuing he said:
Mr.. President, in behalf of the class.
| present to the university this me-
mortal Flagstaff in order to coinmemo-
rate the deed of this brave young son
of Iale-moved by the highest motives
to fight and die 10000 miles away from
home, in furtherancc of the highest
national purpose. 1t is a fitting me-
mortal upon which shall ever fly the
starry banner which symboliZes the
highest national purpose, for which.
knowingly. intelligently and with a
full knowledge of the reason, he poured
out his Iife's blood on the battlefield"
AS Mr.. Taft concluded a new United
States flag of large dimensions and
J,,x -, =,
halyards to the top of the staff. In
keeping with the rather solemn nature
of the exercises there was no ap-
plause.
President HALEY accepted the gift,'
aftcr whic', n long cheer from 'aS f9r.
President Hadley was given and thapl
s.,t ia isnE ,-9s FISH
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