The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-19
Dayton Turns Out to the Man to Celebrate the Triumph
 of Native Sons
WILBUR WRIGHT CAUSES
 SURPRISE BY SPEAKING
Governor Harmon Presents State and City Medals, While National Medal Is Presented by Gen. James
 Allen.

Dayton, June 1S.-Wilbur and OrvilIs Wright, the aviators, today received the medals awarded them by act of Congress, by the legislature of Ohio and by their home city of Dayton.
 One hundred and twenty thousand peo- pie, the entire population of Dayton, eele- brated the event.
 Immediately after the ceremony the Wrights hurried to their aeroplane fac tory to prepare for their departure tomor- row for Washington where next week they will resume their flights for the gov ernment.
 Disregarding his usual practice of ret icenee, Wilbur Wright. on receiving the medals, made speech in which he lil- ened an inventor to a poet, saying that neither poet nor inventor would suffer indifference if their wants were really known, and declaring that. in his belief. that if a Shakespeare or a Tennyson could be created by public subscription, public sentiment was such in America that whatever was necessary would be forthcoming instantly.
 Gen. James Allen, chief signal officer, representing Secretary of War Dickinson. presented the national medals; Gov Jud- son Harmon of Ohio presented the Ohio medals, and Mayor E. E. Burkhart of Dayton gave the local medals. Governor Harmons Speech. Governor Harmon spoke as follows.
 '"rhe sons and daughters of Ohio have given her the high repute she bears among the members Of the earth by their demo- cratic and civic virtues, their industry, 1 their courage, their ability in all the fields ] of human activity The high general standard they have met and maintain makes distinction among them the harder to achieve, but more signal when gained. l Those who accomplish this she delights to honor with special recognition Among these you, sirs, have gained a place by genius backed by labor and directed by practical intelligence
 Mankind long ago mastered the art of the fish and the water fowl They ceased to envy the strength and ability of the beasts of the field when they surpassed both, first by mechanical devices to multi ply their own strength and speed, and then by finding and subjecting to their control the forces of nature
 But they looked hopeless of emula-
 
 itation and making of the atmosphere a highway free of obstacles, with full control of speed and direction The as- piration to fly through the air has beset mankind in all ages, typifed In mythology by the story of Dasdalus and Icarus, who constructed and used wings, but forgot that the sun would melt the wax with which they were fastened to the body.
 The balloon was invented, but it had to float at the mercy of the winds to an unknown and perilous destination It was merely a clumsy plaything. a curiosity. Only the intellect of man could make wings for his body, and those must be figurative only. He must fly by ma chinery, nicely adapted to the difficult ties to be met, and moved by a captive force greater than his own, but broken to his will
 You, sirs, have done more than any other toward solving this problem We hope and believe that by your studies, experiments, inventions and appliances you are opening to mankind the long coveted thoroughfare which leads every where, needs no repairs, and none can monopolize or obstruct You will make us recast our habits. laws and business methods, but we have had to do that SO often that we are used to 1t. This will not detract from your renown or our grat- itude.
 By authority of the general assembly
 
 token of the honor in which you are held by the people of Ohio."
 The presentation ceremony, which was held in the fair grounds, was impressive Behind the Wrights on rising tiers of seats sat 2500 school children, dressed In red. white and blue, and arranged to rep resent an American flag Troops and brass bands gave a military aspect to the immense throng.
 J. Sprigg McMahon, the chairman, was just about to dismiss the crowd after the ceremony. when Wilbur Wright arose to speak. No one tn Dayton previously had heard either of the wrights deliver a public utterance longer than thank you"
 Speeches of Wrights.
 In accepting the medals Wilbur Wright said:
 'It is with a feeling of pride that we accept these tokens from the nation, the state and the city to which we owe our allegiance, and I wish to thank the peo- pie of the United States, of Ohio and of Dayton. It is sometimes said inventors usually do not receive the sympathy and encouragement which is their due.
 This cannot be said of us. Even Tn the infancy of our work we received of fers of financial assistance from people who could have no hope of reward. While we did not find 1t necessary to accept these offers they show the world is al ways ready to offer helping hand. The poets sometimes have occasion to com plain of their lack of substantial sym pathy yet have no doubt that if s1000.- GOO would bring another Shakespeare or a Tennyson the money would be forth coming in this country within five min utes If poets and inventors do not get their dues 1t Is rather because the world Is unaware of their needs than because of indifference.'
 Orville Wright said "I wish our work was commensurate with the honors that have been heaped upon us. Thank you.' The benediction was pronounced by Bishop Milton Wright the venerable fath- CT of the aviators.
 As as the Wrights received the medals they handed them over to Miss