The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-12
Most Impressive Funeral Pageant Since Spanish War
 Held in New York
THOUSANDS JOIN
 IN PAYING TRIBUTE
President Voices Nations Grief Fol- lowing Solemn Cerem0ny-Hush Falls Over Vast Concourse as
 Procession Proceeds

New York. Mny II.-New York joined the nation today in memorabilia Ing with simple dignity the hcroism of the i9 biucjnckets md marines who gave their lives nt vera Cruz. As the most impressive funeral pageant since the spanish wnr started from the Hat tcrs to the Brooklyn navy sard it was as If Inc pulse of the city had stopped. All business was suspended and over | he commercial section of the city there fell a rcycrcntiaI hush. rhrongs which numbered over million of New york's population stood shoulder to shoulder in community of grief ,i$ IL was a spectacle of city strangely l transfigured and lifted out of itself. In the line of mourners that followed the artillery caissons bearing the dead were the chiefs of state and city govern- ment, and many more distinguished men of nearly every calrns; but every eye in the throngs that lined the way turned first to the carriage where President Will son rode cl@se behind the last funeral car. The President came from Washing- lton dni4ng the slsFt. anf was with the lrfecessinr from tfe tin;e t left the H&t- teiy until the squad of marines fired their parting voneys over tho fiag draped lcoffins at the Brooklyn navy yat.s and 1 the navy hugler sounded the taps that proclaimed the end Of the ceremony On the stand with the President at the navy yard were relatives of the dead sailors and marines mothers. sisters and wives, but in all the throng of mourners none seemed more deeply touched by the spirit of the day than the man whose word sent the lads of the navy 10 fisht for their counrry's honor at Vera Cruz.
 President Speaks
 And to the President was left the privi- lege of voicing the nations grief and the nations belief that those who died in the performance of duty had done for thelr country service not to be meas med by their individual deeds.
 The feeling that Is uppermost," he said, 's one of profound grief and yet, there is mixed with that grief rro- found pride that they should have gone as they did, and if ! may say it out of my heart, touch of envy of those who were permitted so quietly, so nobly to do their duty.
 The head of the nation looked out over the thousands massed about the collins on the parade ground and his voice shook with emotion as he declared his creed:
 We have gone down to Mexico" he said to serve mankind If we can find out way We do not want to fight the Mexicans. We want to serve the Mexicans"
 There was a @istful note in his yoiee as he added "l never was under fire. but l fancy that there are some things just as hard to do as to go under fire. fancy that 1t is just as hard to do your duty when men are sneering at you as when they are shooting at you. When they shoot at you they can only take your natural life; when they sheer at you, they can wound your heart"
 From bird's-eye view the multitude aligned along the route of the funeral cortese presented the picture of a vast human stream connecting two arms of the sea Muffled voices, soft spoken com mands by military officers. the melan- choly tolling of the Trinity church bell, emphasized hush that had fallen over a city of noises.
 Landed by Tugs
 The dead were landed by the tugs Traf- he and Correction early fin the morning.
 (Ccntinued on Page Tcn)