Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-16
EXERCISES AT ARLINGTON
Nearly 1000 Persons Witness Cere.
monies at Cemetery.
WREATHs PLACED ON ANCHOR
Battleship Heroes Eulogized-High
Tribute Paid McKinley-Special
Program of Music.


Arlington yesterday afternoon. nearly
1900 persons witnessing the ceremonies.
The list of speakers included a number
of representatives in Congress, prominent
members OF the G. A. R., United Spanish
War Veterans and Women's Relief Corps.
and a program of special music was given
by the Fifteenth United States Cavalry
Band, from Fort Myer.
The exercises, which We're held at the
Maine section in Arlington. were opened
with music by the band, following which
a salute to the colors was given by the
audience. The invocation was delivered
by Rev. L. H. Holmes, chaplain of the
Department of the Potomac. G. A. R.,
who paid a touching tribute to the men
who went down in the waters OF Havana
harbor the night of February 1S 1898.
The opening address was by Col John
McElroy. chairman of the ceremonies
VINO said In part:
Purchased Freedom of Cuba.
I'VE can pay no higher tribute to the
sacred dead whose memory we honor
here today than to tell the whole world
and all future generations that these
Americans lie here in obedience to their
country's laws and in defense of her in
stitutions 1t matters much less how
these men died than that they were pres
ent for duty when they met death.
The men who went down into the
dark waters of death at Havana died
as truly and gloriously in obedience
to their country's laws as did those VINO
fell In wars tumuIt at Gettysburg or
who wrestled with the angel or death In
the murky horrors of the wilderness.
Their loss was a rich sacrifice at which
the nation shuddered, but 1t purchased
the freedom of Cuba from mtoieraoie
oppression and the swift elevation of the
United States into a world power.
.To repeat the highest eulogy that can
be paid TO man-they lie here in obedience
TO their countrys laws.
''In this beautiful city of the heroic
dead, where every low green mound Is
an everlasting monument or patrlotlsm
this spot will be one of most sacred IN
terest for a thousand years to all whose
hearts go out If fervent honor for the
self-sacrifice of those who died for men.
Wreaths Placed on Anchor.
At the close of Col McElroys remarks
two wreaths from President Taft and
floral tribute from the republic OF Cuba
were placed upon the Names huge an
Choir, which has been placed as me-
mortal to the victims whose bones are
buried about it. The tributes were
of Capt. Capron of the Rough Rider
regiment, who was killed in battle In
Cuba; Mrs. Baden, representing the
Woman's Relief Corps of the Depart
ment of the Potomac, and Mrs. T. Ger
trude Mitchell, representing the Maine
Memorial Society, the three being escort
ed by a detachment OF blueJackets from
the MayflOwer.
Representative Thomas S. Crago of
Pennsylvania, representing the United
Imam iSh
as follows:
ION behalf of the United Spanish War
Veterans. l wish to express an apprecla-
ton of the solemn service of this day
and on this spot hallowed by sacred
memories and dedicated TO our heroic
dead. to pledge anew our loyal endeavor,
as an organization. in the work of keep
ing alive the fire OF patriotism on the al
tars of our country.
"In the presence of the last resting
place of so many of the brave men who
were the first TO pay the penalty in one
OF the epochs of advancing civilization
no words of ours can adequately express,
nor can we by this service show, the
mighty portent of that wave of human
kindness which swept over this nation in
1888. IL Is possible, however, for us, rep
resenting these patriotic orsaniza tons, in
paving homage to these brave men, to
add something TO that wealth of patriot
ism which must ever fill and thrill our
citizenship IL we are to grow and progress
as a self-cOverning people.
The war with which the names of the
men who persisted with the Maine will
ever be associated meant as much to
them as war can mean to any soldier or
sailor. 1t means more to us as q people.
1t stamped this nation as world power
1t tested the good will Of the other ma
lions for this republic. 1t brought us
face to face with the weakness Of our
military. as compared with our naval
policy and HAP made possible that mag
nificent reorghnized body of troops-our
present army.
Famous Speech Reproduced.
After . solo. ''Face 10 Face" sung by
Mrs Florence NJ. Huss. to the accom-
paniment or the band. an innovation was
presented. In the form of photographic
reproduction OF the speech made in the
House by former Representative Cousins
June & 1910. during the consideration of
q bill for the relief of the sufferers by
the destruction of the Maine The phono-
graph. which was placed Immediately In
front Of the speakers stand and near the
anchor of the Maine, repeated the impas
stoned words Of the former Iowa rep
resentative with marvellous clearness and
every syllable was plainly heard by all
in the audience.
Representative Langley of KentucLy
the next speaker. paid a tribute to the
memory OF those in whose honor the
exercises Yesterday were held and also
to the memory Of President Mckinley.
Il know that the heart of every one
present is moved as mine is by the
stirring memories that cluster around
this city of the dead where sleep SO
many. OF the heroes of our nation $
wars" he said
Well may we honor at Arlington on
each anniversary OF the tragedy of
Havana harbor the memory of the men
whose lives were there sacrificed for
the nations cause. They died that
liberty might be strengthened God
moves In q mysterious way His won
ders to perform I believe that this
entire continent is destined to become
one mighty republic. teaching and en-
forcing the principles of universal
freedom. and that this sacrifice of hu-
man life was providential means to
that end
Pays Tribute to Mckinley.
I'm conclusion let me say few
words In memory and praise of our
late President, Mckinley. who con-
Quoted the war that resulted from the
sinking Of the Maine. In the light of
the present his wisdom and foresight
were wonderful. When the country
aroused by the atrocities that Spain
perpetrated upon the Cubans, was de-
manding war. he was calm and de-
1iberate and counseled delay. although
he knew that this would bring severe
censure upon him. He foresaw the in
and he knew that we had to get ready
ruf han ha nj tVno ~ a< How