The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-06-14
GOV. BALDWIN IN EULOCY OF
 NATHAN HALE
Makes Address in Schoo1 House Where Young Pa
 triot Once Taught

East Haddam, June 1.-The ob- servance of Nathan Hale Day in the little schoolhouse in which the patriot once. taught was an occasion of even larger interest, today, due to the fact that the opening of the new bridge over the river here had heen set for the same time and this drew a large gathering. The customary exercises were directed by the Sons of the American Revolution of the state. It's chief feature is the presentation of 8 medal to the lad in the school who, in the opinion of his schoolmates, has most nearly the characteristics of Nathan Hale. This year, the bronze medal went to Daniel James Taylor, aged 13, son. of James Taylor. The Nathan Hale gold medal went to Roy Comstock for the best essay on the life and character of the patriot in competition among ten boys. This medal has been awarded for the past ten years.
 Governor Baldwin said, in part:
 For 20 years it has been the law of Connecticut that the flag of the United States should be displayed daily at every public school.
 Connecticut has a peculiar interest in that flag. Thirty-fve of the states in the American Union had nothing to do with prescribing it's character. It came from the hands only of the old Ih1TCSen- TWO or the New England states have no share in the business Maine and Vermont Neither were then states. The old thirteen set their mark upon the flag in its thirteen stripes.
 t'Gathered together at this little schoolhouse where Nathan Hale once taught; we cannot forget that he new CT served under that flag. He met his death in September, 1776, the year before the flag came into existence. He never felt the inspiration of marching under the folds of the stars and stripes. He never needed that inspiration. In the freshness and beauty of his youth he dedicated his life to this country and his country accepted the sacrifice.
 What a man says about himself seldom lives after him but Nathan Hale said something about himself that his countrymen never will for get He said it as he was going to his death. He<said it to unsyrn pathfz- 1 ing ears It was his enemies who pre- served it in memory. Its expression of noble resolution it's devoted patriot ism struck home even to their hearts: TT only regret that have but one life to lay down for my country Two great sayingsIof two great Americans dwell in the natiori's memory. One came from a young man closing a short career as short as it was glor- ious. The other came from a man of middle age who had for long years been rendering high public service in a great station. It was LincoIn's | speech at Gettysburg. There, next month, that speech will be the sI1b- | Ject for special commemoration. Here, today we have the shorter speech of Nathan Hale to occupy our thoughts
 The prevailing note of Lincoln's was humility before our soldier dead. The note of Hale's was a proud decIara- l ton of the patriotic duty, the looking forward to becoming in brief mo ment one Of the soldier dead.
 Tt was but a few lines that Lin 1 coin spoke, 1t was but a short sent 1 ence that fell from the lips of Hale. Both spoke from the heart; both spoke under the Influence of the deen-
 est feeling; both spoke to history. His tory heard and our presence here IS
 her tribute to the younger of them. a
 worthy son of Connecticut and of l Yale"
 The Governor closed with quota
 ttons from description of Hale writ
 ten by classmate of the patriot.
 During the exercises, President l Morgan G. Bulkeley, of Hartford. was l also one of the speakers. The societ5 reelected its old officers, includfns D. N- Morgan. of Bridgeport, vice president; B. Hart Fenn, of Wethers l held, secretary; A Faxon, Hartford
 F. II. Parker, Hartford and Rev. F | R. Sanford, Guilford