The Washington herald., 1912-06-09

NohAAhhSu ANOHA 49, S-e
Constitution Of the land, pointed out the
danger OF absolute democracy, and paid
President Taft the highest encomiums.
Marquis Cusani Con falonieri, the Am
bassador from Italy, spoke few appro-
pirate words IN English and delivered
brief address IN his native tongue,
lauding the exploits OF the courageous
Columbus At the conclusion Of his re-
marks, he was handed a rope connected
with the drapings around the statue.
The Marine Band struck up the Star
Spangled Banner" and the multitude
arose. The Ambassador gave the rope
a vigorous pull. The two gigantic
American flags were loosened from the
monument, floating majesticany In the
breeze from the cable extending over
the site, revealing in all its ravishing
beauty the statue Of Columbus. The two
sailors standing on the base OF the statue
removed two white flags from hgure
head at the front Of the monument and
clambered to the ground.
Place Wreath on Statue.
As the flags waved with an air Of free
dom, there was a mighty rushing sound
and from out OF a dozen mouths at the
base Of the monument gushed forth
streams Of foaming water. Over the
semI-circular coping around the inner
base Of the statue flowed the water in a
silver cascade. group OF sailors rushed
out, and. with the band still playing and
the booming Of the national salute OF
twenty-one guns by Battery Z, Third
United States Artillery. rendering the at
mosphere with its laundering, two strings
Of vari-colored flags were hoisted to the
cable on either side OF the monument.
A.. agF aWr ~ music dfEd
away and the booming OF cannon ceased,
scores Of large wreaths were placed
around the base OF the statue. President
Taft was then introduced by Secretary
Knox.
The President referred to Columbus as
the greatest mariner OF history. and said
that he opened to the possibilities Of
Christian civilization more than one-half
Of the geographical world. President
Taft spoke OF the sad and tempestuOus
life Of the great mariner, and praised his
loyalty and devotion 70 his sOvereigns
Columbus confidence in his geographical
theory. as an example Of great faith and
determination, was emphasized by the
speaker.
Praises DiscOverer's Courage.
The President addressed the throngs
in the following words:
We IRE gathered here to-day to dedI-
cate this beautiful memorial to the
greatest mariner OF history. who four
centuries and two decades ago opened
to the possibilities Of Christian Civ!liza-
ton nearly one-half Of the geographical
world.
The history OF the voyages OF the IF
teenth and sixteenth centuries is as full
OF courage, enterprise. and daring as
that OF any century in which civilized
man has taken part, and there Is no
voyage Of any OF the brave navigators
Of Spain, Italy. Portugal England. or
OF the Scandinavian sailors that involved
greater faith, greater seIf-sacrifce, and
the overcoming OF greater and we'll
founded fears than the voyage of-Co-
lumbus in 1892.
The story Of his life the President
continued, reveals defects OF tempera-
ment and the existence OF some motives
under temptation that show him human.
but the impression left. after a study
OF his character. leads to a full recogni-
ton OF the greatness and dignity OF the
man. the high ideals that prompted his
almost superhuman efforts. the patience
and tenacity that attended every dis
CoUragement, the loyalty 10 his sover-
eigns when put to grIevOus test. and the
final resignation to the will Of God In
the sad ending OF a tried. tempestuOus
but most notable and useful life
1T is interesting to note said the
President. that now. as We celebrate
the memory OF Columbus We are near
ing the completion of that great enter
prise, the Panama Canal which opens
the passageway to the East Indies at
the very place where Columbus sought
II as a natural waterway and found II
not In the narrow isthmus between the
north Sand south continents. and where
100 years ago Charles V. the successor
OF the sovereigns OF Columbus. projected
such passageway which the world has
waited all this time since to see con-
structed."
Taft Reviews Parade.
A selection by the Marine Band terrni-
mated the ceremonies. As the crowd Of
spectators stood with uncovered heads in
closing. Bishop Wilbur <. Thirkield. OF
the Methodist Episcopal Church, pro-
nounced that impressive benedictIon:
The peace OF God which passeth all