Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-05-31

tle dead heroes Of the war with Spain
ard Tor those who live. Former President
Taft Secretary Daniels. William X
Hearst. the governors Of Maine and New
York representatives Of the Cuban re-
r:ihrc and others took part in the exer-
ciscs
\ military parade along Fifth avenue
preceded the ceremonies at the monu-
mont
Letter From President Wilson.
zen. James Grant Wilson, who presided
a, the dedication, read a letter from Pres
ident Wilson.
NV thoughts will be very much with
YOU, as will | am sure. the thoughts of
the whole country the President wrote.
AN Americans must look back to the
tragedy Of the Maine with the pro-
foundest sentiments Of sorrow for the
fine men who then so trag1cally ana I'M
eApectedly lost their lives. and must al
WAYS feel that 10 have been one of the
turning points of our consciousness OF
What was involved IN the struggle for
human liberty.
II was late in the afternoon when
George Hearst, young son OF William
Randolph Hearst, a member of the ma
tional Maine monument committee. UNI
yeiled the monument. As the fleets guns
doomed their tribute a floral counterpart
OF the old Maine was released to the
Iludson's waters from the shore Around
the pyIon the crowd sang america"
Mayor Gaynor accepted the memorial on
behalf of the city.
Wreaths were placed at the monuments
base One from President Wilson was
laid by the Rev. John P. Chadwick, chap
lain of the Maine when the explosion oc-
Cured.
Address by Former President Taft.
William Howard Taft, in his address,
characterized the dedication as an en-
during 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 declared. The second
is the birth of new people and the
founding of a new nation through our
tisinterested aid and sacrifice. The third
i the expansion of this nation into a
wider sphere of world usefulness and
greater responsibility among the nations
than ever before in its history"
After referring to the official investi-
.ators' report that the explosion was due
10 an outside cause and a hostile hand,
Mr. Taft paid tribute to the men of the
Maine.
The possession Of new territory, includ-
ing the Philippines. thrusts upon the
country. Mr.. Taft concluded, new rela-
tons with the rest of the world that We
cannot escape. Ii gives us an Asiatic
status, brings us close to China, and
doubles our interest In the Pacific. IL we
would exercise the influence We ought to
exercise for good in the world we must
accept responsibility commensurate with
our national strength and opportunities
for usefulness.
Heroism on the Maine.
In the whole range of patriotic story.
rs il comes to us in tales of the sea,
there is no finer illustration of heroism
than that exhibited at the time of the
Blowing up of the Maine
: This was the tribute paid by Secretary
Daniels to the heroes of the battleship
Maine, blown UP in the harbor of Ha-
Sana Cuba, on the night of February
15 1898
why is it, Secretary Daniels asked.
that we seldom a monument erect
ed to a doctor. q teacher. preacher Or
statesman. except the statesman who
served i'm 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
question not few times of myself and
of others. The common answers are
that the enthusiasm and the imagina-
ton are kindled by the bearings of men
I'm arms, that such men are the incarna-
ton OF patriotism, or that II Is the eX-
preston of gratitude To the men who
are the defenders Of the national honor.
Died at Posts of Duty.
Either reason would be sufficient to
win the appreciation of the people ans
20 make the sailor or soldier the ex-
emplar Of ambitious youth. But the real
reason for the Partially toward military
leaders lies deeper than gratitude or en-
thusiasm or patriotism. IL has been
found in the eternal truths to which d.
yinity gave its seal of approval when the
Maker of Man gave His Son 10 die for the
race.
The sailors on the Maine in Havana
harbor, who were rudely disturbed from
their slumber only to be hurried into
what we mistakenly call eternal sleep.
We're at their places OF duty. They had
surrendered what is most priced by
other men; they had consecrated their
lives to the defense Of the nation and
ITS homes, they We're the guardians of
the lives and prosperity OF Americans
NJ home and abroad. How beautiful is
tho life welded To duty. How glorious
IS the spirit OF the sailor who gives up
all 10 stand watch for his race. Inafraid,
he is the man on the tower answering
when asked. Waterman tell us of the
night
Il am thrilled declared the Secretary.
'as ! see with my minds eye that pic
ture OF scene in the darkness of that
dreadful night: OF Private William An
thony saluting Capt. Sigsbee and report
ing. The ship is blown up. and is sink
ing, sir The incident gathers into a
focus the navy's loyalty TO the flag Sigs-
bee and Anthony are representative and
typical-the one an officer of high rank
stumbling UP from his cabin through the
dark and over the dead TO assert his
command and snatch order out of con-
fusion: the other an enlisted man, faith
ful unto death and performing his duty
at the risk Of life itself. under circum-
stances so unusual that failure TO do 50
would never be considered even as a
breach.
Come Together in Duty.
If the navy Is the strong arm of the
government. the protector OF our homes
and the defender Of the treasury" con-
tinued the Secretary, lit is because OF
the harmonious and effective working
together OF these two types. In tins
meeting on the deck Of the sinking