Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-03-05
GIVEN
MEDAL BY
PRESIDENTS HAND
Presentation to Canal Builder
Is Last Act of Woodrow
Wilson's First Year in
White House.

Washington, March S.-washington
paid tribute tonight to Col. George
Washington Cocktails, builder of the
canal. The occasion was the
annual banquet of the National &C.
~ographic society, with Colonel Goethals
as the guest Of honor, and to
receive from the hand Of President
Wilson a special gold medal awarded
him by the society In recognition or
his wonderful achievement.
Secretary Bryan Of the state depart
ment was toastmaster, and gathered
around the banquet table with the dis
tinguished scientists of the society
we're President Wilson and his cabinet,
justices Of the supreme court, mem
bers Of the diplomatic corps, high Of
ficers Of the army and navy, leaders
In both Houses of Congress and other
notable figures in the life of the ma
ional capital.
The medal awarded Colonel Cocktails
was of heavy roman gold. It's pre-
sentatlon was the final act of Presi-
dent wilson's first year as chief eXeou-
tive Of the United states.
President Wilson said in part:
Il am here to do what l suppose Is
an unusual thing for u society OF this
,ort. 1t generally confers its honors
upon those who have disclosed eogra
ply. rather than upon those who have
altered it. 1t is "A sort of advertiser
and custodian of the globe, but 1T Is
now about to honor Il gentleman who
has had the audacity to change the
globe.
ut fills the imagination to think of
what his work will accomplish. 1t
Will create new neighbors. 1t will
generate new friendships. 1t will
make a new atmosphere of rivalry and
of generous association. The whole
tendency of the routes Of trade will be
changed, and tho routes of trade are
the routes Of enlightenment.
1T seems to me to be natural, If l
may say SO with apologies to some of
our friends present. that the greatest
engineer should come from the United
States. 1t is one Of the nations which
has disturbed equilibrium, which has
cut new paths for the thought and ac-
ton of mankind. And now there Is to
be elevated a name which will not be
blotted out unless the whole civiliza-
ton of the world should change-the
name of Colonel Goethals.
The government of the United
States lent him to the world and he
has done this thing for the world
For it is our proud boast that we have
cut this highway for all the seagoing
ships of the world.
Il take it for granted that we do
not to-night forget that distinguished
group of men who have been associat-
ed with Colonel Goethals-that gal
liant and devoted soldier who gave his
very life to see that the great work
was lone at Culebra cut; that man
who made so much of this work pos
sible, SurEeon-General Gorgas, by
knowing how to hold off disease at
arms length while these men were
gwen leave to work; Colonel Seibert,
who built the walls of Gatun dam and
created Gatun lake, making 1t look to
tn eyes of the beholder as if nature
mad done the work over which he him
eelf presided; and Colonel Hodges, who
8 made the locks and the machinery by
. "hich these great things are admins
!, tered.
|, Il am glad that this thing was not
l lone by private enterprise and that
= there is no 'hough of private profit
= anywhere in it but that a government
f put itself at the service of the world
! and used a great thing. That Is the
, ideal of the modern world. that the
3, services to mankind shall be common
/. ly shared.
80 I esteem it a real privilege, act
- Ing on behalf of this society, to pre-
/ sent TO you, Colonel Goethals. this very
I beautiful medal. It is made of mere
r gold, and gold is of no equ ir
= this connection, but it speaks in the
most precious metal we know, the
. gratitude ana the admiration of the
= world"
p The President gave the medals tc
Colonel Goethals. who then stood
silent, evidently overcome by emotion
=, Finally, words came. at first slow anC
, puuctuated by pauses. Gradually h,
r|eEainod his composure and feelingl,
expressed his appreciation.
1T Is easier TO build canals he said
3 than to find fitting words to expires
. my gratitude" lie made it clear to al
that in accepting the medal he did 1
u ON behalf Of every membe of the cana
/ army.
Secretary Bryan praised the Frencl
o government, the first to attempt t.
, build the canal. for its part In tn
e. construction work on the isthmus. Am
= bassador Jusserand, responding. told o
the long acquaintance with Colone
: Cocktails and said he had pledged hi
I friendship to him at first sight"