The Washington herald., 1909-02-14
SPARK FIRED NATION
Rev. DR.. Butler Tells of Blow
ing Up of the Maine.
SPECIAL MEMORIAL SERVICE
Spanish War Veterans Attend Exer-
eIseS at Luther Place Church-Bat-
Ago Yesterday-FOught for Princi-
spIe-ObxtacIes VIII Be Passed.

Rev. DIT. J. G. Butler addressed the
Spanish War Veterans at the Luther
Place Memorial Church yesterday after
noon at a special service commemorating
the blowing I'D Of the battle ship Maine
in Havana Harbor on February II. 1895.
The exercises were OF patriotic nature
throughout The Battle Hymn Of the
Republic" was sung by the congrega-
ton. and the organ prelude and pOstlUde.
played by Miss Ella Butler. were Co
lumbia. the Gem Of the Ocean and The
Star Spangled Banner" William Ga
baugh sang a solo, your Flag and My
Flag. special chorus. consisting OF
Miss Harriet Finckel Miss Amy Crom-
well, Miss Laura Bright, Miss Rosa
Bright. Miss Bessie Bright, and J. c
Cromwell. occupied the organ balcony
and led in the hymn singing.
Rev. Charles H Butler assisted Dr.
Butler in the services.
Dr.. Butler spoke OF the important place
IN the history OF the country occupied BY
the blowing up Of the Maine and Of its
far-reaching consequences
Fought for Principle.
What the firing on Fort Sumter was
TO the civil war and what the Boston
tea party was 70 the Revolutionary war,
the sinking OF the Maine was TO the
spanish-American war" said the pastor
1t was the spark that fred the country
into the struggle for liberty as an ethical
principle. The loss Of life OF the Maine
was deplorable. but the results were mag
nifcent- God often makes the wrath Of
men 10 praise Him. and every war this
nation has fought has advanced US in
tie path OF national Righteousness.
The Spanish-American war did more
than any other event I can imagine TO
weld the country together. 70 make the
North and the South one, and to com
plete the glorious work begun by the
men who laid down their lives in the
civil war. Now there is no North and no
South, considered apart from the Soun-
try as a whole Our interests are the
same, our respect for the Federal gov
ernment Is the same, and much Of our
love OF country was born on the battle
fields in Cuba and the Philippines, where
Northerner and Southerner fought side
by side.
Obstacles VIII Be Passed.
LAS 70 the results of the last war. It is
still too early to give the final verdict.
Cuba Is free, but fear her people are not
yet prepared for freedom. But whatever
obstacles We may have to face. how can
We doubt that we shall overcome them
honestly and wei. when We think what q
wonderful history we have had and what
a wonderful nation we are
I'VE are a God-fearing people. What
ever graft and lust for iil-gotten money
We have had to contend with in our up
ward progress have been in no way rep
resentative Of our national life. There
/ Is not one sentiment Of dishonesty con-
/ cealed beneath the folds Of our flag.
We are the foremost country to-day in
/ the progress toward International peace.
which I profoundly believe viii some day
be attained. I am sure the United States
and Japan viii never go to war with
/ each other. Japan. too. is nation loving
peace. and I am confident that any differ
ences that may arise between the two
countries wiz be amicabiy adjusted"
] Dr.. Butter referred to his work during
the civil war among the soldiers as q
/ hospital chaplain. His connection with
the troops began when the first regiment,
/ the Fifth Pennsylvania was sent to
Washington 10 defend the city, and at the
close OF the war he was the last hospital
chaplain mustered out