New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1927-06-27
=
Mayor Weld and Lieut. Gov. Brainard Reviewing Parade

far greater purpose than that, and
am sure that these men would not
have it otherwise, else they have
/ fought in vain. For unless this
memorial has an influence on our
youth. unless every survivor Of this
terest our children in his personal
activity In this great event to the
end that the coming generation may
in some measure realize the noble
heritage that has been handed
down to them from their forefathers
since 1775, when the immortal Sc
signed the Declaration OF Indepen-
dence. the principles enunciated
then. are the principles now, and
will be, so long as We see to 1t that
love of country. and generation for
the flag is kept as a holy thing in
the minds of our growing youth.
There should be no fear for our pa
triotism now. we are too near the
end of the great war. but what of
the future, il our youth are allowed
to fall under the spell of the in
sidious pacitist. who would delete
the words war and preparedness
from our dictionary. and who talk
disarmament and world peace. At
this moment there are any number
of wars going on, and so long as
there are men, and nations. dis
posed to conquest, and personal
gain, Just SO long will there be war.
The Great Roosevelt once said that
the greatest safeguard against war
was preparedness, and a truer word
was never spoken. The United
States. recognized as the most
peaceful Of nations. has INDUCED in
six major. and innumerable small
wars during the last 142 years.
With this record and the fact that
each war has been a repetition OF
the last. a mad rushing in. glori-
Gus victory. but at what cost. for
we have apparently gained nothing
in the way of experience, apparent
ly satisfied to trust to the spirit of
America. as eXemplified by such
men as those OF '9S to keep our
country safe. But is it fair to ask
the flower of our youth to sacrifice
themselves on the affairs of igno-
rance. for the reason that some
people are opposed 10 preparedness,
when We have the figures to show
that in the Spanish war. America
lost more men in the camps, before
and after the actual fighting than
were killed in Cuba during the war,
This has been Americas record in
all her struggles.
so l say to you that this memo
rial means much more than a simple
memento to the Spanish war SOL
diers, it is tribute to the spirit OF
America. and an appeal to the sur
vivors of that war. that they use
every endeavor to keep alive that
spirit in the hearts of our youth.
and kindle anew the fire of patriot
ism in the breasts of our people. to
the end that, as the immortal Lin
coin said. we may continue to be n
government Of the people. for the
people. and by the people, and that
We may not perish from off the face
Of the earth. These are not light
words. but words Of much sig
nit1cance, for We are at a phase OF
our national existence now that calls
for the most careful consideration.
There seems to be a. disregard for
all things serious, and a tendency TO
tread along the primrose path of
pleasure that so soon leads TO de-
struction. Our country has become
great solely through effort. History
tells MS that all the great nations Of
the past have fallen into decay en-
tirely through lack OF effort. When
the Romans forsook their forum
for the pleasures of the chase the
end was not far. and so my friends
when We lose our love for the flag
and neglect our ideals We are APP
preaching dangerous ground. SO 7
say to YOU again. do not read the
hut study the reverse side.
and visualize what it stands for,
what II represents. and why these
men Of 'aS are gathered here today
II you do this you will have
vision of the same ideals that these
mon OF 'aS saw when they went
forth TO battle for God. for country
and for Fellow Man. And finally
you will understand that this memo
rial is not for an event but for an
ideal"