Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1912-06-15
COLUMBUS STATUE WAS
UNVEILED SATURDAY
President Taft Makes Address and
Reviews Parade, White Secretary
knex Presided al Exercises

ed the acreage OF the Union Station
plaza, loudly applauded, the Columbus
memorial procession of nearly 100000
men filed past the 100000 monument
to the iiscoverer Of che Western
world this afternoon.
The procession which formed one
OF the most Impressive pageants ever
held In washington. was made up Of
$4,000 soldiers, sailors and marines
aud from 10000 TO $4,000 citizens.
Knights OF Columbus and members OF
other patriotic and religious organic
atoms
Intersperaed with the marching men
were huge floats drawn by four. eight
and ten horse teams. They symbolic
I'D the advancing steps OF civilization.
4 half dozen bands blarod forth patri-
otto airs and the entire parade made
an Impression, half solemn. half fes-
tive as II proceeded aloug the line Of
march from the White House to STAN
ten Square.
Tile procession. al Ia fact the ea.
4 tire celuhreiton and unveiling OF the
Columbus memorial was held under
the auspices Of the Knights OF Col
uinbus That organization was instru-
mental in gaining the appropriation
for the erection of the monument
which stands on the broad plaza of
the new Union Station, at Washing
ton
Brig. Gen. r.. X. Evans. u s. A..
acted as Grand Marshni OF the day
and rode at the head OF the parade.
The exercises began at the memorial
at $50 o'clock. Secretary OF state
Philander Chase Knox held the CAV
81 THE speakers stand and after
Mgr. Thomas J. Shanan rector OF the
Catholic University OF America had
delivered the Invocation. introduced
Justice Victor ]. Dowlng Of the su.
preme Court OF New York.
The Marquis CusanI Confalonieri.
italian ambassador 70 the United
States, then pulled the strings which
released the huge American flags drap
ed over the memorial and as the Ma
rine Band struck up the national an
them, the colors foated down reveal
ing the heroic statue Of the great navi-
gator. When the first folds of the
flags began to fall battery OF artil-
iery commenced the thunder OF d sa-
lutte Of twenty-one guns
When the noise from the cannon
had subsidized. Secretary Knox intro
duced President Taft, who addressed
the 15srml'lage at considerable length
The President reviewed the progress
Of civilization and described the Inn
portant part Christopher Columbus
had played in Fastening it.
Tonight there will be mammoth
banquet at the New Willard Hotel
\ which will be attended by several
thousand persons.
Judge DowIIng's Speech
In his speech at the unwilling of the
monument, the Hon. Victor ]. Bowling
Justice of the Supreme Court. appel
ate division, State of New York. paid
q warm tribute TO the life and deeds
of the great navigator. reviewing at
length the impedlments which he met
and overcame. Judge Bowling then
drew a striking parallel between the
greatness of the explorers achieve
ment and the paucity OF It's latter rec
ognition. He said In part.
1T Is fitting that after centuries rec
ognition should be given sincere II
tardy OF his great services to humani-
ty, and given the more cheerfnlIy. be
cause he was In every way worthy OF
the portion OF undying fame which liz
his. II is the appreciation Of HIS nobil
/ ity OF character which If leading to
the spreading movement TO make
Columbus Day a holiday In which
and to whose ranks II is to be hoped,
the nation itself viii soon be added.
Here In the capital Of the greatest
republic in history. this beautiful mem
orial OF the greatest achievement In
human affairs, due TO the initiative de-
termination and genius OF a single In
dividual, may well serve as an inspir-
alton TO effort upon the part OF the cit
liens of America to do as he did Ito
set their ideals high. never to lower or
abuse them, and to persevere to the
end In their advocacy.
While civilization endures emblaz-
oned upon the first page OF its records
shall be preserved the undying fame.
the original coat OF arms claimed by
Christopher Columbus. with it's bars
OF red and blue upon a field of gold,
in memory OF the greatest benefaction
which the spirit OF exploration. OF dis
coyery and of enterprise has given to
the world. May there forever be found
upon the same page the banner of red
and white and blue OF our own beloved
country, in memory of the greatest
blessing which the spirit of true free
dom has yet conferred upon mankind"
Following is the list OF unclaimed
letters remaining In the postotlice at
MartinSburg w. Va. June TO- 1912.