New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-05-31


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guarded by YOU and your successors in
the Mayoralty OF this great metropolis
during the coming centuries"
The Mayor expressed the thanks OF
the city in a brief address, saying that
such a monument would remain for
centuries as a great teacher Of history
and patriotism 10 the thousands who
would come to view II.
General Wilson then read the following
letter from President wilson:
My dear General Wilson: ! wish most
sincerely that it were possible for me TO
be present at the dedication OF the Maine
Monument. My thoughts will be very
much with you on that day, as Will, / am
sure. the thoughts Of the whole country.
| All Americans must look back TO the trag-
edy OF the Maine with the profoundest SEN
timents Of sorrow for the fine men who
then so tragicaly and unexpectedly lost
their lives. and must always feel that to
have been one of the turning points IN our
! consciousness Of what was involved in the
struggle for human liberty
Crowd Welcomes Taft.
Ex-President Taft. who was the first OF
the speakers whose voice reached any
considerable part OF the tremendous crowd
which surrounded the monument got
noisy welcome. He built his address on
three points. Of which the monument, he
said, would be an enduring witness-the
gratitude Of the country TO the heroes OF
the Maine the disinterested sacrifice and
aid from America which gave birth to the
new nation of Cuba, and the expansion
Of this nation into wider sphere Of world
usefulness and greater responsibility
among nations.
! He pointed out how the exigencies OF
war had carried the country within less
/ than month after the beginning Of that
war TO the Philippine islands on one side
and to Porto Rico on the other. There
was no alternative. he said, and no honor
able way Of evading the responsibilities
which those possessions brought. Re
| ferrng then 10 the status OF America as
world power. he said:
! There is an international public opinion
slowly growing in its influence, suffering
reverses at times, but gathering force in
the intervals between wars, and manifest
ing itself in the diplomatic relations be-
tween nations in the congresses OF the
powers and in such movements as
prompted The Hague conference and The
Hague treaties"
Every movement toward mutual help
fulness among the nations should b" en-
couraged by the United States, said the
former President, and the American spirit
would not be found wanting either In
courage or in willingness TO meet new
responsibilities.
They mistake that spirit who would not
maintain under present conditions an
army and a navy practically necessary
and adequate to preserve our national
prestige and influence among the ma
lions" Mr. Taft continued, and they
mistake that spirit who would not. on the
other hand, strive in every feasible way
TO help a struggling people that appeals
for our aid. and 10 take all possible means
70 promote peace among the nations.
This monument marks the time IN the
u,o 90 our nation when 1t awakened 70
the consciousness of its Increased power
Tor good in the world and us larger
share in the burden OF the WORM au'
Secretary Daniels paid a high tribute
to the heroes Of the Maine. and 10 the
men OF the American Navy. tie Grew
word picture Of the bravery OF fItaie
| William Anthony. reporting 10 Japan
Siesbee in the wrecked cabin, that the
| 80 ga haan blown uu and was sinking
Lauds officer and Man.
"sigsbee and Anthony are representa-
tive and typical, said Mr.. Daniels the
one an officer OF high rank, stumbling up
from his cabin through the dark and over
the dead 10 assert his command and
snatch order out OF the confusion, the
other. an enlisted man, faithful unto
death and performing his duty at the
risk OF life itself. under circumstances
so unusual that failure 70 do SO would
never be considered even as breach.
IF the navy is the strong arm Of the
government. the protector Of our homes
and the defender OF the treasury, II is
| because Of the harmonious and effective
: working together Of these two types. In
/ this meeting on the deck OF the sinking
Maine we have them brought together In
a moment Of glory. in an incident of he
roisrr that has permanently lodged itself
| in history.
I'VE are debtors to both types-the ad-
miral and the man behind the gun; the
general and the man in the ranks-and
this gathering here to-day and this me-
mortal which will tell to unborn youth Of
their sad fate. will speak ever Of them as
OF other immortals who gave their lives
for others"
Governor Sulzer declared that the Maine
monument would be, for all time, les
son TO the people that no man who dies
in the service OF the country ever dies in
vain.
The two hundred and sixty-seven
brave sailors who went down in the mud