The National tribune., 1909-04-08
Maine Monument AssocIation.

For several years patriotic people
have been desirous of having erected
in Arlington some fitting memorial to
the dead of the battleship Maine, which
was blown up in Havana Harbor in
February, 1898. They have also thought
| that the Government was remiSS in its
duty to its naval heroes in that no ef-
| fort has ever been made by the United
States Government, nor would it permit
private parties to raise the wreck of
the Maine, which lies sea-washed and
weather-beaten just as it appeared in
all its ghastly details the morning after
the explosion occurred.
Now, both of these wrongs, if wrongs
they be, are to be righted if the people
who are at work on both propositions
can have their way. Representative
Joseph Goulden, of New York. has in
troduced a bill in Congress which di-
rects the Navy Department to get busy
with that wreck and secure for prop
er interment the bones of the Is miss
Ing marines and sailors who lie in the
mud of the harbor under the wreck
age. Col. Goulden introduced the bill
in the last Congress, but it was not re-
ported from the committee. He in
tends to push it at this session.
Meantime a new movement is on foot,
and one which should commend itself
to every man, woman and child in the
country. 1t is to erect a monument in
Arlington to the memory of those
men of the Maine, who, on their ship,
lying at anchor in Havana Harbor,
whence they had gone on an errand of
peace, were, without warning, hurled
into eternity
Lord, God of hosts, be with us yet
Lest we forget, lest we forget"
We all remember the strings of sig
nal flags which spelled out Remember
the Maine," and we said to ourselves
that we would remember, as we pinned
those silken reminders over our hearts.
and turned our energies to care for the
men who went to the front to wipe
out the insult to our Flag, and Incl
dentally to wipe the rust red and yell
low flag of Spain off this continent. We
did take care of the men, and they
took good care to rid US of Spain's
dominion in the Western World But
have we remembered the Maine" as
we should? We shall have a chance to
do this now, in an effective and effec-
tual way if we all lend the little assist
ance in our power. The Maine Monu-
ment Association was organized about
one month ago at the home of Admiral
Sigsbee, who commanded the Maine
when she was sent to her DOOM The
gathering was purely social one, but
the Admiral, induced to talk on the oc-
casion, expressed regret that the Maine
dead had not been remembered" as
the Nation had promised.
The enthusiastic guests immediatelv
proposed Maine Monument Associa-
ton, and 1t was organized, then and
there. Admiral Sigsbee, much against
his own wishes, was made President OF
the Association. Gen. Andrew S. Burt.
also hero of two wars, was made Vice
President; Maj. Frank Butt, U. S. Army
{
tine Walton Dunlap Secretary.
The sentiment of the thing has taken
tremendous hold of the people of WASH
ington, and many members of Congress
have also Joined the Association. The
plans for future operations have not
yet been fully matured, but that sue
cess Will crown the efforts of the pa-
triotc designers of the plans, all feel
assured. Membership in the Associa-
ton will cost each one exactly 81, and
there are no further charges There
VIII be certificate of membership.
handsome enough to make it desirabl,.
to possess, and it has already been de- |
cided that the costly machinery of a |
company" viii not be necessary, and
piled to the building of the monument. |
only using such as will be absolutely
necessary III legitimate expenses.
Admiral Sigsbee has kindly consent |
ed to give lecture on the blowing up |
of the Maine, with stereopticon views. |
all the proceeds to go to the Associa-
ion This lecture will be given in the |
National Theater about May 2, and is |
he first lecture of the kind ever given. |
Comrade John McElroy, Editor of |
The National Tribune, is a member of |
he Advisory Board.
The Committee on Certificates and
Badges is comprised of Mrs. Isabel Wor-
ell Bail, member of the National Ex-
,cutive Board of the Woman's Relief
Sorps; Mrs. Annie w. Johnson, Past
department. President, and Mrs. Annie
:; Hoagland, President Of the I. w. B.
flag Association.