Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-05-12
fcontinued from page ono

,,orrexe and was followed by the naval
pastalious from the Wyoming. Then
came the csissons carrying the dead.
Each caissou was drawn by four horses,
astride two Of which rode members of
the 1st and "a Remigents of the Field
Artillery.
There was in addition one mounted po-
lice escort for each caisson. Four sailors
on each side acted as pail bearers.
The men, tanned and seasoned with re-
cent service in Vera Cruz, had been call
ed to New York especially for the ser
yiees in memory of their dead comrades.
Directly behind the single file of Gals
sons were the carriage of the President
Governor Glynn, Secretary Daniels, May
or Mitchell and other guests. The pres
.ence of the President in the procession
came as a surprise. for 1t had been an
nounced that he would proceed direct
from the Pennsylvania station to the
navy yard. All along the route every
vantage point was black with spectators.
Windows. roofs, half completed steel
frames of buildings were crowded. Three
Thousand policemen, one every IL feet'
held the crowd back on the sidewalk
But during the entire ceremony there
was not a suggestion of disorder.
The demonstration was chiefly re-
rnarkable for its silent solemnity. For
four miles through the city streets,
the funeral eortege passed and pehlhd
n In an open carriage rode the Pres
ident He sat for the most part with
head barred. though the sun beat down
upon him.
Perhaps 100000 persons saw the ~
cofnns. each on a caisson, borne from
ths Battery Plaza in lower Manhat-
tan to the navy yard in Brooklyn.
The procession was nearly two hours
in passing. There were outbursts OF
applause as the Presidents carriage
passed. but these were quickly hushed.
The religious ceremony at the navy
ward was more impressive, If possible,
than was the sight of the slow NOV
tng cortege. II was never in battle
nor under fire." said President Wilson
in his brief address, but l fancy 1t
is Just as hard to do your duty when
men are sneering at you, for when
they shoot at you they take your nat
ural life and when they sheer at you
they wound your heart
1--WE have gone to Mexico" he said,
in another part of his address, to
serve mankind if we can find the way.
We don't want to fight the Mexicans;
we want to serve them.
"a war of aggression Is not thing
in which 1t is proud to die, but a war
of service is a war in which it is a
proud thing to die.
Throughout the procession mounted
police closely surrounded the Presi-
dent in a hollow square, secret SER
vice man rode on the box with the
coachman, and others marched behind
and beside the vehicle.
At the City hall, Mayor Mitchell, af-
ter delivering a brief address in be-
slowing the city's wreath. entered the
President carriage and rode with
him to tf.e navy yard.
1.-THE people of New York pay their
solemn respect to those honored dead,
said the mayor in his address. ITO
the stricken families of these men,
their loss is irreparable. Nothing that
we can say now; nothing that we can
do can mitigate it. But to the Ameri-
can peope their oyalty and sacrifice
give new inspiration.
These men gave their lives not in
war, but in the extension of peace.
Our mission in Mexico is not to en-
gage in conquest, but to help restore
TO a neighboring republic the tran
quality and order which is the base of
civilization.
THE highest tribute paid in this
hour to the dead of Vera Cruz Is the
renewed pledge of loyalty to the ma
ton, its honor and it's service, in
1t.
heightened resolution of our people to
enter, whenever the need arises, the
path of patriotic service
The silence that had overhung the
parade ground was broke for the first
time when the band began to play
softly, Nearer. My God, to Thee"
When the hymn was finished Chap
lain Cassard read the opening prayer.
The multitude stood with beared heads
and the clergyman's voice carried to
the edge of the square.
President Wilson stood at the chap
laiu's right and Secretary Daniels at
his left. Next to Mr.. Daniels stood
Governor Glynn and at the right of
the President was Mayor Mitchell
When the chaplain ended he stepped
back leaving Secretary Daniels and
the President facing each other at the
front of the platform.
Then the secretary, as commander
in-ehief of the navy, recited the names
CT the 10 men in whose honor the SER
vices were held. This included, among
the dead two who have died at Vera
Cruz since the Montana steamed
away.
Sec'y Daniels
Following the invocation by Chap
lain Cassard at the Navy Yard, Sec
rotary Daniels turned to the President
and said:
Mr.. President: ! have the solemn
honor TO report to you as commander
in-chief of the United States navy
the names of the Is sailors and four
marines who recently at Vera Cruz
sealed with their blood their devotion
to the flag of their country. All were
in the prime of vigorous young man
hood OF the 10 who answered their
last roll call with a cheerful Aye, aye,
sir 10 were % or under. The oldest
was SO, the youngest 10. Their aver
~.