New-York tribune., 1908-11-15
GOVERNOR HUGHEs's WORDS.

an inspiration to future unselfish and unher-
aided sacrifice to maintain our institutions OF
! liberty and civilization
GOVERNOR HUGHES'S WORDS.
Just before Governor Hughes spoke accepting
the monument Miss Esther King Norton, a
granddaughter Of General Hcratio c. King, gave
the signal for the unveng of the great shaft.
and everybody arose, those near the stand and
facing the monument forming background Gf
those who had labored hard to raise much Of
the money for the memorial, the Society of Old
BrooklynItes and the Daughters Of the Revolt
ton. When the great flag had been furled and
the last OF the guns had doomed, Governor
Hughes said:
Fortunate are the people whose soil has
been the scene of patriotic service and OF heroic
devotion to a noble cause: We cannot afford to
be Indifferent TO examples Of fortitude, or to
lose by fOrgetfulness the stimulus OF the lessons
of sacrifice.
We commemorate to-day not the deeds Of
great or of those possessed OF SURPRISING
talent or extraordinary power This Is a mon
ument to the service and sacrlhce OF those whose
chief distinction is not that of fortune or con-
dition, Of superior position, talent or oppor-
tunitv but who re Yealed in deepest distress and
in the agony OF body and soul the qualities
which dignity common humanity. 1t vas
the plain man, the simple patriot, who in the
lowest depths of misery I'm the prison ship re-
fused his freedom at the cost OF his allegiance
TO the of liberty.
Humanity has changed its values. And IL
still reserves its highest hOnOrS Tor those VINO
in the fire OF affliction reveal the pure gold OF
unselfsh loyalty to principle. And because this
is, after all, the common sentiment and the sure
reserve OF national strength, we face the
future with confidence.
This long delayed testimonial OF appre
citation of the patriotic suterings Of the martyrs
Of the prison ships is the result Of a trinity OF
effort 1t represents the cooperation OF nation,
Of state and OF private citizens. Thus, it typi-
ies the harmony of endeavor essential to the
permanency of the benefits this early sacrifice
aided to make possible.
To-day we erect a monument not merely to
the heroes OF war, but TO our own aspirations
and 10 our own loftiest sentiments. We would
ourselves be endowed with the indomitabe spirit
which famed in the patriots Of long ago; we
would point our children to memorial Of the
Victories of character; would have the love
OF country a burning passion. fred by noble
memories, intensified by intelligent appreciation
Of opportunity and obligation, and furnishing the
motive power for the finer services Of peace.
And in this spirit and as a trust for this high
purpose. on behalf OF the State OF New York, 1
accept this monument.
The president Of the Board of Aldermen, Pat
rick f. MCGOWAN. accepted the monument on
behalf of the city. and Daniel F. Cohaan, the
grand sachem of the Tammany Society,
Columbian order. delivered an address on be-
half OF his organizations the Rev. Or. John L.
Belford delivered the closing prayer and bene-
diction. and the formal exercises were closed
with salute and taps by the New York Asso-
citation OF the Union Prisoners OF War.
The great parade still passing along the
line OF march when Mr.. TAFT. Governor Hughes
and others on the stand departed. the Governor
for Manhattan and the President-eiect for
Washington. where lie will have a conference
with President Roosevelt before returning 20
Hot Springs ON the stand were many we'll
known in civil and military life. among them
General Leonard Wood. now commander of the
Department Of the East. Rear Admiral Good
rich, commander Of the Brooklyn navy yard;
Controller Metz, Charles Shaw. OF the Board OF
Water Supply, and Governor J. Franklin Fort Of
New Jersey.