Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-23
President Taft's Remarks.
President Taft said ::

We meet to pay appropriate honor to
the memory of the first of the country's
sons who gave up their lives in our war
with Spain. / do not mean by this to
charge responsibility to the Spanish gov
eminent for the explosion of the Maine
but that the tragedy was part of the
causes which led up to the Spanish war
no one familiar with the circumstances
can now doubt. That war every Ameri-
can can feel proud OF because it was
fought without single selfish instinct
and was prompted by the most altruistic
motives BEGINNING with a self-denying
ordinance with respect to Cuba. We were
forced into the attitude of taking over the
philippines and our course in those is
lands has reflected the highest credit on
our purposes and civilization.
These, our honored dead. were hurled
into eternity without the inspiration of
anticipated battle OF hoped-for victory
But they We're on duty when they went
down: they wore the uniform of their
beloved country. and they are to be
of naval heroes whose steadfastness and
courage have given the American Navy
the high position it occupies in history
among the nayies of the world.
Pause and Pay Tribute.
1T is we'll that We should halt the
wheels of government and stay the hum
of industry to take time to note by ap-
proprate ceremony the debt we owe to
those who gave up their lives for the
nation. We raised the ship from the mud
bottom of Havana harbor and gave her
remains honorable burial in the blue
waves of the ocean. We now consisn to
the sacred soil of Arlington the recovered
bones of those who gave the Maine her
personality and made her a living weapon
vital interest. We have given to these
ceremonies all possible solemnity that
are included in the hcnors of war. and
We shall fail if they do not express in I'M
mistakable tone and sign the deep and
lasting gratitude of a nation to her mar
tyred defenders.
AT the close of the address by Presi-
dent Taft the Marine Band played Mas
cheronis For All Eternity, after which
the benediction was pronounced by Bishop
Anderson of the Methodist Episcopal
Church of Washington.
Procession to Arlington.
Immediately after the ceremonies the
parade formed for the march to Airing
ton. Rear Admiral Bradley A. Fiske was
the grand marshal. his aids being Capt.
A. G.. Winterhalter, chief of staff: Lieut.
commanders 5. +. Fullinwider, l.. NJ
Jones and W. G. Watts and Lieut.. w L.
Pryor of the navy. and Lieut.. G. S. Pat
ton, il. 10Th Cavalry. The procession,
which formed on 18th street. south of
Pennsylvania avenue. was made up as
follows:
Platoon of police.
Rear admiral Fiske. grand marshal
and stan.
Escort. in command of Commando c.
+. Hughes. L. S. S. Birmingham, consist
ing of:
Band 18th United states Cavalry.
Squadron of 18th United States Cav
airy. Mai. r $. Foltz.
LIST Battalion of Engineers. Maj. vii
liam D. Connor. Corps of Engineers.
Marine Band.
Battalion of marines Maj. II. c. Davis
Naval Band.
Battalion of seamen. Lieut.. Bradford
Barnctte.
Naval Band.
Battalion of seaman apprentices
Lieut. W. F Halsey, jr.
Naval Battalion National Guard oil
The District of Columbia, Commander s
W. Stratton.
Clergy-Chaplain Bayard, L. s "
Rev. Father Chadwick. chaplain of TN.
old Maine and Bishop Anderson of III,
Methodist Episcopal Church
Caissons. thirty-four in number. will
one coffin on each. with 204 bluejacket
bodybearcrs, being six to each Gals
son. escorted by the United Spanish Wal
Veterans as honorary pallbcarers.
Cavalry escort of honor.
The President of the United States
the Secretary OF War, the Secretary an,
Assistant Secretary of tine Navy ant
other members OF the cabinet.
Officers of the Naine-Rear Admira
Charles ID. Sigsbee. l.. S. ". retired
Rear Admiral Richard Wainwright, L. 5