The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-08-18
CONGRESSMAN KENNEDY'S ADDRESS AT DEDICATION
 OF SOLDIERS MONUMENT I

dier's x1onument in Waterbury Satur- day in zonor of two French soldlers who died there during the Revolu- tionary war:
 Congressman Kennedy spoke as follows:
 .sThe Declaration proclaimed in the City of Philadelphia on July 4, IT'S, in behalf of the thirteen colonies, was a declaration not merely to the peo- ple then living on the borders of the Atlantic, but was proclamation IT behalf of all peoples of natural rights and privileges ordained for them by the Creator It declared, not only
 for the people of the colonies. but for human kind in general True, 1t nar- rated the wrongs and hardShips in ficted on the colonies by the parent government, but the rights thus in terfered with were declared to be. tho rights of all. men, not only those living on the Western Hemisphere.
 ssTherefore, when the declaration was made that resulted in the birth of our Republic, it was an asserti on of the rights of all men. We can look | back with pleasure as we read the history of our country and realize that here were taken the advance steps for the uplift of mankind, for the breaking cf3shs/kles, for the li,- eration of the individual from dras- tic or unjust rules and siirnitati ons.
 sdThe progress of our country has been marked. by advaaced legislation for the people of the land. The free ing of the slaves wiped out contra diction. Progressive laws have given men fair play for their ambitions and activities. The lessening of condi- tions of discrimination satisfy us that our children are to have opportuni4 ties placed within their reach in ac- cordance with their skill, ability and
 ..our intnrTenti on in behalf of other countries on the Western Hemisphere. has been in the hope that the prinN I ciples for which we declared would be extended to them, and that in no i spot would there exist the conditions immortal declaration.
 tsThis message that went forth, one l of defiance to a power that would re- 1 sist the divine law, and oneAof assur- ance to the down trodden everywhere, met with a hearty and earnest res ponse from the liberty loving people l of other lands who realized that the l Omnip God had bestowed upon all men equal rights, and that 1t no I more law in the power of government
 to deny them than it law in the hands of the individual to interfere with or destroy them.
 ITO help, us in our struggle for the Victory of the principles for which we I had declared there came to our | shores those who loved liberty for its own sake, those not interested for pc cuniary gain or moved by the thought | of self advancement, but by the real | ization that a duty was incumbent on l them to respond to the call the colo | nists issued to all the civilized nations of the world.
 ."The vaIor of Lafayette, the hero l ism of a Roehambeau, have become part of the history of our land, and all have some Knowledge. be it little or | great, of the part they took in our early struggles. We prize their mem ory and cherish their deeds. We ad- n1ire their va1or, and monuments
 have been erected to them that at I tract the attention of the passer-by
 and turn his thoughts to the sacrifices ll they made for the establishment of
 this. government through the success
 of the arms of the co1onists against
 the power of England.
 I "But there were others whose valor
 was just as great, and who were just as daring, whose self sacrifice was just marvellous, who offered, apart, unknown, hidden in the ranks of sol
 diers. the life God gave them in order that liberty might live. Their names are unknown here, but their deeds have been preserved, and their hero l ism is manifest in the success of the cause for which they fought.
 "It is well that we should erect to
 them the manunent that will recall to us the thought that to the men in the 5 J ranks is due part of the credit for the achievements of the general he followed We people Of Waterbury have the opportunity in the erection
 and dedication of this monument, to pay tribute to the unknown and val i l iant soldier, the son of another land T. who left his home and country, sac rificing his all for the liberty fol , which we fought. And looking upon this monument will bring encourage
 naent to the private citizen. It vii
 help him to realize the Dafri OffSYO foa1
 should burn within him, it should
 strengthen his love of country, and
 awaken in him a. realization of his
 duty.
 .It is necessary to have generals tc
 lead, but. we must always remember
 that there must be an army to be led
 and we must give heed to the thought
 that the valor and courage of every
 general successful on the field of bat
 tie was supported by the brave men
 who were willing to follow where he
 led.
 .'It is well that we should have this
 monument It will help to assure al
 that their worth will be recognized
 when manifested by devotion to theil
 country, and will teach them that 3 sacrifice for the country.s welfare and [ advancen1ents no matter whether made in public life or private vii
 and the appreciation of the Ameri. can people.
 And so the words of praise thal 3 arise in memory of the unknown sol diers may be waited across the seas tC the unknown and oppressed who Iool 2 | forward to the enjoyment of the right. that an Omnipotent Power would be . stow on them. and even if they do no , seek our shores, they will labor fl . their native land for the uplift of oth < | CTS, endeavoring, to perpetuate thost . rights for which these French sol ] l diers fought and gave their lives, ant 3 they will perform the highest dut. 1 1 for their native land and for human I ity in general by assuring to other {, 1 the enjoyment of the natural right , they crave. life, liberty and pursui A of hapDineSS,'