New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-06
TEARS STOP PRESIDENTS
EULOGY Of MAJOR BUTT.
Mr.. Taft, Overcome by Emotion,
Halts in Midst Of Glowing
Tribute to Former Aid.
OTHERS PRAISE DEAD HERO
Cabinet, Senate, Army, Journal
ism and Native State Join
in Great Memorial
Service.

Washington, May 5.-The life OF Major
Archibald W. Butt, as soldier, news
naper man. aid TO Presidents and lodge
member, and his heroic death on the IL
tanic were cornmemorated by his COM
nander-ir-chief, a President, a Secre-
tary Of War. a Senator of his naive
state, a contemporary III the newspaper
field and the fraternity of Masonry at
an impressive memorial service in the
National Theatre here to-day
4 steady flow Of tears and the faiiure
Of his voice abruptly ended the eulosy OF
President Taft. Throughout his re-
marks the President spoke with DIM
Guilty.
The tribute paid by Mr.. Taft to his
late aid epitomized all that was SAID.
Everybody knew Archie as Archie
said the President Il cannot go into
box at a theatre. 1 cannot turn around
In my room cannot go anywhere WIN
out expecting 10 see his smiling face or
~ hear his cheerful voice IN gfeet!ng'
The life Of the President is rather $50
q.
him come much closer 10 him than any
one else The bond is very close, ana u
is dificult to speak on such an occasion
Archie Butts character was simple,
Straightforward and incapable OF in
trisue. A clear sense Of humor light
ened his life and those about him. Life
vas not for him troubled problem.
He vas a soldier, and when he was ap-
pointed 10 serve under another, 10 that
other he rendered implicit loyalty I
never knew man who had so much
self abnega ton so much self-sacrifice.
as Archie Butt
Natural for Hin, 70 Help.
Occasions like the sinking % the IT.
tanic frequently develop unforeseen
traits in men. It makes them heroes
when YOU don't expect il. But with
Archie II was Just as natural for him 10
help those about him as II was for him
to ask me TO hermit him 10 do some
thing for some one for me.
He was on the deck Of the Titanic ex-
actly what he was everywhere, He
leaves r void With those who loved him,
but the circumstances OF his going are
all what we would have had. and, while
tears fill the eyes and the voice Is
choked we are feicitsted by the mem
DRY Of what he was
Beside Mrs. Taft sat Mr.. and Mrs.
Lewis Butt. OF Augusta. Ga Opposite
w
Meyer and other prominent officials.
Senator Bacon sat with the members Of
the Georgia delegation in Congress. and
in the theatre were statesmen, soldiers
and friends Of the dead officer Temple
Lodge No. 80 of the Masonic fraternity
was seated with the speakers. The
Right Rev. Alfred Harding, Bishop of
Washington, delivered the invocation.
Flags and shields of the United States
and a profusion of flowers comprised the
decorations. great banks OF floral
wreaths from friends Of Major Butt pre-
senting one of the most elaborate spec
taCles of its kind ever seen in Washing
ton. The United States Marine Band
played America" Lead, Kindly Light"
and Nearer. My God, to Thee" in ac-
compartment, and also rendered Wag-
ner's Album Leaf" Martins Melody
Of Peace" and CANNES "Ecstasie
d'Amour."
Fulfilled a Soldiers Faith.
Secretary Stimson recounted Major
Butts military career and described his
heroic conduct on the Titanic. I'VE like
to think Of him there as a fit represent
alive of the American army, quietly
doing his duty. Such an end is far from
q tragedy: il is the fulfilment Of SOL