The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-06-15
4 AMERICA'S TRIBUTE
To COL N B j s
INSPIRING SCENES MARKED UN.
YELLING OF THE COLUMBUS
MEMORIAL IN WASHINGTON.
Address by President Taft-ItaIian
Ambassador Draws the Cords
Grand Parade With 10000 Knights
in Line-1,5oo at Banquet-Vast
Threngs Attend Ceremony-Wash-
ington En- Fete.

Threngs Attend ceremony-Wash-
ington En- Fete.
On Saturday, June 8, the city of
Washington was en- fete. From all
parts of the United States and it's
island possessions, from Canada on
the north and Mexico and Cuba on
the south, delegations of Knights of
Columbus came to the National Capital
to unite with their fellow-citizens in
honoring the memory of Christopher
Columbus, the discoverer of the west
ern world. 1t is estimated that sixty
thousand visitors crowded the plaza in
front of the Union Station and the
to witness the festivities connected
with the dedication of the Columbus
memorial, the tardy, but sincere, trib-
ute of the nation whose foundation he
made possible. In this central spot,
at the gateway of the national life of
America, his likeness in abiding mar
BILE was unveiled by the nations lead
ers while cheering thousands paid him
homage. Celebration after celebration,
lasting all through the day and night,
marked the final outward recognition
of the magnificent achievement of the
great Genoese navigator.
The weather was perfect for such an
event. Long before the hour set for
the unveiling, every point of vantage
was taxed to it's capacity. Promptly
at three o'clock President Taft, &C
companied by Mrs. Taft, Colonel Cos
by, superintendent of public buildings
and grounds, and his military and
naval aides, took his place on the
stand erected in front of the memorial
which was covered with two hugh
American flags beside which hung the
flags of Italy and of Spain
Secretary of State Knox presided
and introduced Mgr. Shahan, Rector
of the Catholic University, who gave
the invocation. He was followed by
Justice Bowling, of the New York
Supreme Court, who delivered an ad-
dress recounting the history of Colum-
bus achievements and praising his
bravery. Then former Congressman
James T. McCleary, of Minnesota, a
member of the Memorial Commission
which chose the design and site for
the monument, drew from the life of
Columbus the lesson that his perse-
verance, bravery and intelligence
teach.
Memorial Unveiled.
Then came the most impressive mo-
ment in the celebration. After the
Marquis Cusani Confalonieri, the Ital-
ian Ambassador, made brief address
in English and in Italian he drew the
cords which unveiled the Memorial.
AS the flags were drawn aside the i'm
posing figure of Columbus came into
view and battery Of artillery from
Fort Meyer doomed forth salute of
twenty-one guns, while the Marine
Band, stationed directly in front of
the statue, began the stirring strains
of the "Star-Spangled Banner" After
the unveiling President Taft delivered
the principal address, in which he
eXtolled the achievements of Columbus
and told the story of the struggles
which ended in the discovery of
America.
The Parade.
At the conclusion of his address
President Taft reviewed the process
sion which was the largest parade of
fraternal organizations that ever took
place in Washington. 1t is estimated
that 10000 of the $4,000 in line were
Knights of Columbus, representing all
the States of the Union and all the
countries in which the Order is estah
lished. In addition to this, there we're
many fraternal organizations all of
whom followed the lead of $500 United
States soldiers and sailors. In the
parade there were many beautiful
floats depicting scenes in the life of
Columbus. At the head of the Knights
of Columbus rode the Supreme Knight,
James A. Flaherty, of Philadelphia.
The Banquet.
In the evening fifteen hundred men