The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-05-31
maine MONUMENTS
TORMAL[Y UNVEILED
IN NEW YORK CITY
Many Guns Fire Salute as
Veil Is Swept Aside to Re-
veal Monument-NOted
Men Take Part

New York, May so.--In memory OF th'
,s7 officers and men who were lost witt
he battleship Maine in Havana harooi
-5 years ago. the national Maine monu-
ment was dedicated here today From
dozen American warships. units of the
Atlantic feet. at anchor In the Hudsor
river, a salute of 252 guns re-echoed from
the Palisades as the veil was swept aside
that revealed the country's tributes
pvlon 40 feet high, that stands in Centra
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 gov
ernors of Maine and New York, represen
tatives of the Cuban republic and others
took part in the exercises.
Military Parade
military parade along Fifth avenue
preceded the ceremonies at the monument
Headed by Rear Admiral Winslow, th'
grand marshal 5000 soldiers and sailors
including the veterans Of two wars
marched through lane formed by many
I thousands of holiday sight-seers. Amer
/ lean infantry, artillery, navy yard ma
rnes blue jackets from the battleships
state militia cavalry. civil and Spanish
war veterans. Cuban troopers and sailors
from the Cuba, the island republics ma
val representatiYe-these and others wer,
in the line of march.
Gen. James Grant Wilson, who pre-
sided at the dedication, read letter from
President Wilson. MY thoughts will b,
very much with you, as WILL l am sure
ihe thoughts of the whole country wrot,
the President "All Americans must iool
back 20 the tragedy of the Maine witt
the profoundest sentiments of sorrow fo
the fine men who then SO tragically ant
unexpectedly lost their lives and mus
always feel that to have been one o
the turning points of our consciousness
OF what was involved in the struggle fo
human liberty
IT was late in the afternoon wher
George Hearst, young son of william
Randolph Hearst a member of the Ma
tional Maine Monument committee, un
veiled the monument. As the fleets gun:
doomed their tribute floral counter
part of the old Maine was released t,
the Hudson's waters from shore. Aroun,
the pylon the crowd sang America.
Mayor Gaynor accepted the memoria.
on behalf of the city. All wreath
were placed at the monuments base
One from President Wilson was laid b,
the Rev. John Chadwick, cha plain oil
the Maine when the explosion occurred
Taft Makes Address
William Howard Taft in his address
characterized the dedication as an en-
during witness to three facts 9Th,
first is the gratitude that our countr,
feels toward the men who went dowr
on the Maine in that they gave theil
lives in her service" he declared
"The second is the birth of a new
people and the founding of a new ma.
tion through our disinterested aid ant
sacrifices. The third is the expansion
of this nation into a wider sphere o.
world usefulness and greater responsi
bility among the nations than ever be-
fore in it's history"
After referring to the official inves-
tigator's report that the explosion was
due to an outside cause and hostile
hand, Mr. Taft paid tribute to the mel
of the Maine.
Referring to Cuba, the speaker de
clared the island republic is "our fos
ter child. AS she errs in the youth o.
her national life, the United State.
must bear with her and aid her." h,
said, adding:
I'VE must hold to a persistent pur
POS0 " flldlntdih 0eI dS an lIuepenQen
and self-respecting republic This mon
ument should typify in its endurins
character the permanence of the new
government which it is our duty to pre-
serve.
1.-The wonderful material expansion il
the development of this continent between
the Atlantic and the Pacific, the enormous
increase in population, and the CORE.
spending growth in national power have
given us a position among the countries
of the world that we must recognize and
that we must take with it's corresponding
responsibilities, whether we would or no, .
said the former President.
Cannot Escape
The possession of our territory includ-
Ing the Philippines. thrusts upon the coun-
try Mr.. Taft concluded, new rela tions
with the rest of the world that we cam
not escape. 1t gives us an Asiatic status,
brings us close to China and doubles our
interests In the Pacific. If we would ex-
ercise the influence we ought to exercise
for good in the world, we must accept
responsibility commensurate with our ma
tional strength and opportunities for USE
funess.
I'm the whole range of patriotic his
tory, as it comes to us in tales of sea
there is no finer illustration of heroisrn
than that exhibited at the time of the
blowing up of the Maine"
This was the tribute paid by Secretary
Daniels to the Maine heroes
''Why is it,. Secretary Daniels asked
that we seldom see monument erected
20 a doctor a teacher, a preacher or a
statesman, except the statesman who
served In time of war, while genius and
art are brought under contribution to
give us stately figures In bronze of SOL
diers and sailors? I have asked that oues-
tion not few times of myself and of
others. The common answers are that
the enthusiasm and the Imagination are
kindled by the bearings of men In arms.
or that IT is the expression Of gratjtude
to the men who are the defenders OF the
national honor.
Either reason would be sufficient to
win the appreciation Of the people. Bu,
the real reason lies deeper than gratitude
or enthusiasm or patriotism. 1t has beer
found In the eternal truths to which di.
vinity gave its seal of approval wher
the Maker of man gave His Son to die TO,
he race.
II am thrilled" tho secretary con.
tinued. "as l see with my minds ey,
that picture of a scene in the dark
ness of that dreadful night of priyat.
William Anthony saluting Captai,
Sigsbee and reporting, The ship is
blown up. and is sinking, SIR The in.