Arizona republican., 1916-05-31

Every American knows what Lin coin represents: Lincoln and his principles comprehend Americanism> in it's minutest detail. There Ias no falterlng with him when the time came to act. He was patriot be- fore he was politician and sthtes- man. His whole life was spent for the cause of humanity and he gave . Up that life for it's very principle.
 And who has made these countries ours tie biggest and best of them all? The men who have fought and died for them. You eSn never knew the same love for this republic that these men. who snved it from m aw- full shipwreck, know. They are the pillars upon which your freedom was butt. There is no homage too great to pay to them We owe it to them to spill our last blood if nccess N 70 maintain the honor and glory of the nation they saved and helped to lead into the front ranks of the world powers. We owe it to them to make this nation as strong as our convic- tions in reference to right and wrong. We owe to them the protection of the honor of this flag thaNstands for the rights of all mankind, the flag ! that stands for absolute right to po litical liberty and free self govern ment. We owe 1t to them, those whose graves we mourn and those who stand here in our presence to- ' day. to make of this nation through our patriotism in time of stress, the most respected of the great nations of the World today. This wonderful nation. "all glorious in strength" this blood stained emblem of liberty ape tl,eir gifts to us. They are ours to have and ours to hold. ours to keep as flee from dross as purest gold 1 Col. Lavin, who Is the commander of the local post of the Spanish War veterans, was introduced following Mir. Campbells speech. and delivered one of his customary witty talks. He paid deep tribute to the members of the G. A. R. present. and stated that although he was the son of a Con- federate veteran. he looked upon Lin coin, and the men who guided the re- public through the trying days of '6l. as among the shining lights of history. His speech in part was as follows:
 Nr. Lavin said in part:
 Nr. Chairman, Friends and Com rades: Through no personal merit of mine, but because I happen to be com mander of the local Spanish War Vet erans. I am asked to say a few words for them.
 l. Let me first pay a deserved tribute of respect to the Grand Army and tc the old comrades and veterans, whose I experience we tried to emulate and if We did not reach their standard you 'should accept the will for the deed Our service was but a mere skirmish of less than four months compared i with your arduous campaign of four years. We however succeeded in uniting the sections of the country. and look upon your honored deeds as q glorious heritage of a grateful people. Great deeds are imperishable and good names are immortal
 "Oh, if there be on this earthly sphere, A boon an offering Heaven holds dear. lis the last libation Liberty draws, From the heart that bleeds and breaks in her cause"
 The comrades you trained during the Civil War were the leaders of the sons of the north and the south. and with whom they fought side by side Among the leaders who directed and trained us were Dewey. Wheeler. Mer- ritt. Lee, Shafter. Miles, Carpenter. Otis, Schley and Sampson. Untold sufferlngs and countless cost of blood and treasure would have been saved if our forefathers had listened to the prophetic words of President Lincoln when he closed his inaugural address on March 4th, 1861, with this beautiful sentiment;
 We are not enemies but friends. We must not be enemies Though passion may have been strained. it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chord of memory stretch ing from every battle field and patriot < grave to every living heart and hcarthstone all over this broad land will yet swell the chorus of the union when again touched. as surely it will be, by the better angels of our nature
 Although d son of a confederate soldier. l feel the same pride in my countrymen as President Lincoln did when viewing the heights at Gettys- burg stormed by Pickett's regiment said, he was proud to call the men who charged up those hills his coun trymen
 We trust that it will be many years before the Memorial day exercises will be under our auspices: and tha, you may be spared to us for many years to inspire the young with your unseliish devotion, and to be a iiv- Ing witness to the sacrifice and suf- ferings of your four years struggle.
 Humanity> and patriotism has al ways been exemplified by our army and navy and by the government it. self, who have waged no war for con. quest and even in this war paid the Spanish government twenty millions or dollars for teaching the Phiiipifie; how to govern themselves.
 in every camp of the United Span.
 lsh war veterans we have beer
 taught to honor the memory of tb. patriots of our Country, the heroes ot
 every war: to observe Memorial da,
 to decorate the graves of the depart.
 ed comrades, 10 honor the flag ant ! to iuSpiro recnco+ for o,,r