Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1912-03-28
NATION BUR|ES
NAVAL HEROES
Last Chapter in Historic Trag-
edy Of the Maine.
SERVICES MOST IMPRESSIVE
President Taft Delivers Glowing
EuIosy and Chaplain Chadwick
Makes = Beautiful Address
The Last Salute,

1
Washington. The American nation
Saturday wrote the final chapter of
the tragedy of.the Maine and paid its
full measure of tribute to the heroes
who were sacrificed on the altar of
patriotism IA years ago.
With wealth OF sentiment the
bones Of 81 unidentified dead resur-
rected from the harbor Of Havana
were consigned by reyerent republic
to the sacred soil of Arlington Ma
tional Cemetery, to be mingled with
the dust of the country's hallowed
dead.
President Taft and his Cabinet,
both houses of Congress and all the
other officials of the Government set
aside the day and did homage to the
remains.
Services Held In City.
Before the observances at the
graves a solemn service was held on
the south front of the State, War and
Navy Building. This was attended by
the President and Vice-President,
Chief Justice White and his associates
on the bench of the Supreme Court,
members of both houses of Congress,
all officers of both branches of the
military service and members of the
diplomatic corps.
Father Chadwick Eloquent.
Chaplain Bayard. of the navy, Of
fered prayer and then Chaplain Child
wick spoke from full heart. Before
him stretched half mile of cortege
that contained all that was mortal OF
| the men to whom he had administered
spiritually more than IA years ago.
His eyes were wet when he began.
For the aid of new people and
the advancement and glory of our
own country" he said, these heroes
gave up their lives, this sacrifice that
we see before us was made. Today
we thank God we sent forth our sol
diers, not with vengeance in their
! hearts but with the feeling of hui
mainly and justice, to right the wrong.
eve have placed responsibility
for the tragedy, and thank God for
that. We wish everything good for
/ the nation with which we are now at
peace and whose prosperity we desire.
Nevertheless, the ship was an altar
and the men who persisted a sacrifice :
President Delivers Eulogy.
A sharp patter of hail began to fall
when President Taft, bareheaded
walked to the front of the platform.
1--WE meet to pay appropriate honor
to the memory Of the first of the coun
try's sons who gave up their lives in
our war with Spain. do not mean
i by this to charge responsibility to the
Spanish Government for the explo
sion of the Maine, but that the
tragedy was part of the causes which
led up to the Spanish no one
familiar with the circumstances car
now doubt That war every Ameri
can can feel proud of because 1t was
fought without single selfish instinct
and was prompted by the mos
altruistic motives Beginning with 9
self-denying ordinance with respect tt
i CuUd, We 5W0I0 1OICCu- lAIO 4IAO oIIi'
tude of taking over the Philippines
and our course in those islands has
reflected the highest credit on oul
purposes and civilization.
..These, our honored dead, were
+ hurled into eternity without the in
SEPARATION or anticipated battle or hope
for victory. But they were on duty
when they went down; they wore the
uniforms of their beloved country
and they are to be classed well to the
fore in that long list of naval heroe.
whose steadfastness and courage have
given the American Navy the higf
/ position it occupies In history among
the navies of the world
1--WE have given to these ceremonies
all possible solemnity that are in
cluded in the honors of war, and WI
4 shall fail II they do not express In un
mistakable tone and sign the deep AMI
lasting gratitude of nation to he
martyred defenders. .