Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1914-05-11
By Fred j. Wilson.

New York, May 11.-With President
Wilson as chief mourner, more than l.
100000 people turned out here today
to do honor to the IL bluejackets and
marines who fell at the capture Of
Vera Cruz.
In all the streets through which pass
ed the rumbling oaissons on which the
coffins rested, dense crowds were
banked on either side. Heads craned
from every window. All were barred
as the flag-draped caskets rolled by.
Up Broadway the procession moved
to the city hall. There it paused while
Mayor Mitchell, plainly deeply affect
ed, made short speech and laid a
giant wreath of orchids and bay leaves
on one Of the eaissons. "The tribute
of the City of New York." it was in
scribtd.
"rhe people of New York" said
the mayor, in part, "pay solemn re-
spect today to these hero dead. To
their stricken families their loss is ir-
reparable. Nothing we can say, moth
ing we can do, can mitigate their sor-
row.
"The highest tribute we can pay at
this hour to the Vera Cruz dead is a
renewed pledge of loyalty to the ma
tion."
President Wilson Appears.
President Wilson'S appearance in the
procession was surprise, as it was
expected he would apear only at the
navy yard ceremonies. AS the blue
jackets and marines standing at ease
at the Battery sprang to attention, his
automobile appeared.
4 detachment from the First Artil-
lery, New York National Guard, was
in waiting with the draped caissons,
but it wos the bluejackets who lashed
the coffins upon them for the march.
-Four "Jackies" stood at attention as
each coffin was brought ashore and
placed in line on the pier.
All were ashore and the yacht May
flowers launch was just landing Sec
retary of the Navy Daniels as the
President arrived He and the secre.
tary exchanged greetings and went in
side the dock building. A long wait
ensued during which the coffins were
being placed upon the eaissons and
the iackies and marines stood at ease.
At last the battleship Wyoming's
band struck up "The Star Spangled
Banner" the troops sprang to atten-
tion, the president emerged from the
dock building and the procession start
ed up Broadway.
1t moved slowly through the packed
street. Fifty mounted policemen rode
ahead. Then came two naval officers,
with trumpeter between them, and af.
ter them the Wyomings flags Fol-
lowing were the bluejackets and ma
rines, and then the Wyoming's and
Montana's massed bands playing "Old
Hundred" -"
Caissons Bear Coffins.
After the bands rolled the IL cais-
sons with coffin ON each. Ahead of
each caisson rode q mounted police
man, at each side of each one march
ed four bluejackets, and behind each
a dismounted artilleryman walked.
President Wilson's carriage follow
ed the caissons, with groups of secret
service agents on foot behind and at
each side of it. After it came the
carriages Of Secretary Daniels and a
score Of other notables.
AS far as the eye could reach ahead
the canyon of Broadway was packed.
All hats were raised and the bells of
Old Trinity and st. Paul's churches
were tolled as the eortege passed.
The navy yard ceremonies were as
svAr 81. ,..arah ta nv
Daniels was the first to speak, ad-
dressing himself to President Wilson.
"Of the nineteen, two Of the
wounded at Vera Cruz after the Mon
tana' Is departure" who answered the
last roll call with a cheerful AYE, aye,
sir, - he said, "thirteen were %
years or under. The oldest was SO and
the youngest 10. They gave not only
all they were, but all they hoped to
be. The first to make the noblest con
tribution man may give was George
Poinsett. He was in his 10th year.
Nation Honors Heroes.
"I know the feelings of all who
stand about me, and of the whole ma.
ton at this hour" said President Will
son. "They are feelings which are
not expressable in terms of oratory.
"For myself, have a singular mix
ture of feelings. The uppermost feel
ing is one Of profound grief that these
lads had to go to their death. Next to
this is feeling of pride, and, if / may
say 50, touch of envy for those who
were permitted to do their duty so
quietly and so nObly.
"Have you thought of itf Here is
a roster Of the navy. Suddenly there