The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-06-04

New York, May 30.--In memory OF
the two hundred and sixty seven Of
ficers and men who were lost with the
battleShip Maine in Havana harbor
fifteen years ago the National Maine
monument was dedicated here today.
From a dozen American warships,
units of the Atlantic fleet at anchor
in the Hudson River. a salute Of 252
guns echoed from the Palisades as
the veil was swept aside that revealed
the country's tribute-a pylon 40 feet
high, that stands in Central Park,
overlooking Columbus Circle.
Noted citizens spoke words OF
praise for the dead heroes of the war
with Spain and for those who live.
former President Taft, the Secretary
of the Navy, the Governors of Maine
and New York, representatives Of the
Cuban Republic and others took part
IN the exercises.
A military parade along Fifth ave-
nue. preceded the ceremonies at the
monument. Headed by Rear Admiral
WinslOw, the grand marshal, 5000 SOL
diers and sailors, including the vet
Grams of two wars, marched through Il
lane formed by many thousands of
holiday sightseers. American infan-
try, artillery, navy yard marines,
bluejackets, from the battleships, State
militia, cavalry, Civic and Spanish
War Veterans, Cuban troops and sail
ors from the Cuba, the Island Re-
public's naval representative-these
and others were in the line of march,
Gen. James Grant Wilson, who pre-
sided at the dedication, read a letter
from President Wilson.
MY thoughts will be very much
with you, as will, I am sure, the
thoughts of the country" the Presi-
dent'wrOte. "All Americans must look
back to the tragedy of the Maine
win the profoundest sentiments of
sorrow for the fine men who then so
tragically and Unexpectedly lost their
lives, and must always feel that to
have been one of the turning points
of our consciousness of what was in
volved in the struggle for human lib
erty."
1t was late in the afternoon when
George Hearst young son of William
Randolph Hearst, a member of the
national Maine monument committee.
unveiled the monument. AS the fleet $
guns doomed their tribute floral
counterpart of the old Maine was re-
leased to the HudsOn's waters from
shore. Around the pylon the crowd
, sang America"
Mayor GaynOr accepted the memo
rial on behalf Of the city. Wreaths
were placed at the monuments base
One from President Wilson was laid
by the Rev. John Chadwick, chaplain
on the Maine when the explosion oc-
CURED.
William Howard Taft, in his ad-
dress, characterized the dedication as
an enduring witness to three facts.
'"The first is the gratitude that our
country feels toward the men who
went down on the Maine in that they
gave their lives in her service" he de-
clared. The second is the birth of
new people and the founding of a new
nation through our dsinterested aid
and sacrifice. The third is the expan~
sion of this nation into a wider sphere
of world usefulness and greater re-
sponsibility among the nations than
ever before in it's history"
Referring to Cuba, the speaker de-
clared the island republic is our fos-
ter child. AS she errs in the youth OF
her national life, the United States
must bear with her and aid her." ne
said, adding:
we must hold to a persistent pur-
pose TO maintain her as an independ-
ent and self-respecting republic. This
monument should typify in its endur-
ing character the permanence of the
new Government which it is our duty
to preserve.
The wonderful material expansion
is the development of this continent
between the Atlantic and the Pacific.
the enormous increase in population
and the corresponding growth in ma
ional power have given us a position
among the countries Of the world that
we must recognize and that we must
| bllltics. whether we would or not
said the former President.
The possession of new territory, in
cluding the Philippines. thrusts upon