Evening journal., 1922-05-31

and perpetuate the honor so justl,
due them.
I'm profoundest reverence, in tn
name OF the people OF Delaware. an,
by authority OF the Washington
Street Bridge Commission, we nov
declare this magnificent structur,
dedicated in loving memory OF oul
own glorious heroes OF the grea
World War"
General Wilson, in his address
told OF his experience in bridge
building during the Civil War a.
an engineer officer on General
Grants STAFF. He complimented IN,
city, county and state upon the ac-
QUESTION of such a splendid struc-
ture as Washington Memorial Bridge
and expressed the hope that "it may
prove a permanent utility and con-
venience to the city and its inhsbit-
ants"
Judge Gray expressed his pleasure
at being asked to participate In a
small way in the ceremonies attend
Ing the dedication OF the bridge.
"The occasion" he said, lifts us
all for the moment above the com
monplace OF life to the higher plane
Of common interests and aspirations.
and our pulses are quickened with
the thought that the patriotic en-
deavor and sacrifices OF the men and
women OF this beloved state OF ours
during the great world crisis through
which we have passed will be last
ingly and flttingly commemorated
by this beautiful and enduring
structure.
Especially does this thought ap-
ply to the brave young men,
whether living or dead. who, recog-
nizing their supreme duty to their
country. pledged their lives TO main
tain in the stern arbitration OF war
the honor OF our flag and the ideals
of right, justice and humanity which
il symbolizes.
1T is with solemn pride that we
see unveiled today on imperishable
bronze the names of those who have
| given the last full measure of their
| devotion to their country and their
country's cause. Such men as Pau
J. O'Donnell, who, after being IA
tally wounded in an air attack
opened fire on an enemy plane and
brought Il down; and Thomas d
Amory. OF the 26th Infantry. who
was killed while leading an attack
on a machine gun nest and whose
last words were, We will take that
nest or die trying: and OF James S.
Timothy OF the Sixth Marines, who
was killed in action after having re-
fused 10 obey medical orders TO go
to the rear because OF weakness from
gas poisoning: and of Jacob Ferdi-
nand Speer. who was killed on a
dangerous detail which he volun-
teered to undertake. Such men as
these, whose deeds are In the War
Department records. boys from our
own state. and all those others
whose deeds OF valor were unwit-
messed. unrecorded and unchron-
icled-the nameless dead who were
in this. as in all other wars. the
saviors of their country-will never
be forgotten.
mo more appropriate monument
could have been reared 70 these
sacred memories than this bridge.
whose architectural features are so
justly admired. II will keep alive
in the minds OF future generations
the patriotic associations with which
Il Is surrounded. and will be In
keeping with the beauty OF the
stream which II spans and with the
historic memories that hover over
and around the depths and shadows
of the Brapdywine., To those who !
come after us. also, II will tell some
thing of the story OF the present |
1ay. and win illustrate the culture |
md taste OF this community. which |
found expression in this beautiful /
md artistic structure.
THE picturesque and inspiring
pageant which accompanies these
will be long remembered
as showing the appreciation Of this
community for the things which,
having no means or sordid element,
promote civic pride and community
feeling.
81 am sure that voice the graft
tude felt by the good people OF this
city toward the able and patriotic
committee who have brought this
work TO so successful a completion
and who, by their self-sacriacine
labors. have met so Handsomely tho |
wants ard ambitions Of our growing /
population.
Mr.. DUPONT, Mr.. Shaw, Mr.. Ros-
sell, Mr.. Elliott and Mr.. stetzer in
behalf of this community I thank
you for the success and fidelity with
which you have discharged your
commission.
Most Wars Unnecessary
Il feel very much battered" Col
onel Cocheu said. "at being sent here
today as representative of the War
Department, but l feel very much
embarrassed at being called upon
to speak from the same platform
after your distinguished general and
Judge have spoken.
Memorials, such as we are dedi-
,ating today. should stand for two
hings. first an indication OF the love
ind reverence in which we hold the
memory Of our dead heroes, and sec
md, the steps that we are taking to |
revent future wars.
Most wars are unnecessary and |
an be avoided. The lives of army
Ulcers are spent studying all phases
I war. including how to prevent
hem. Perhaps no war in which we
ave ever been engaged has been
0 unnecessary as was the World