New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1927-06-27

number.
"The committee believes that the
memorial is unique in its design and
that 1t is different from any other
Spanish war memorial in the coun-
try. Let me correct what appears
10 be the prevailing opinion-that
the bridge was an afterthought to
the memorial. The bridge Is a part
Of the memorial and was so consid-
cred at the start. When the various
architects were requested to submit
their designs for memorial, all
were requested to include the bridge.
and in connection with that. suit
able memorial.
THE monument, although in the
form Of lighthouse. Is still design
ed as a monument. and the commit
tee selected this type Of memorial
because under the shadows of the
Moro Castle light. the Maine was
sunk. an act which aroused the
whole country and caused the dec
laration Of war by congress.
I'VE believe the bridge built In
connection with the memorial will
be used by thousands of people and
as they cross the bridge they will be
reminded Of the days Of '9S, and Of
the valor and the patriotism Of the
boys who volunteered to help an
oppressed people. AS the years 30
by and a new generation comes, as
they cross this bridge and are re-
minded Of the days of 'sS, they will
ask why the Spanish-American war
was fought. How better can 1t be
answered than by reading the bronze
tablet on the memorial
I'm MEMOR1AM'
Not war for conquest. or
for military glory. but rizhte-
Gus war fought by American
volunteers to succor the weak
and oppressed against foreign
tyranny, and to give to Cuba
and the Philippines place
among the free peoples of the
carth.'"
Mayor Weld, who accepted the
monument on behalf of the city.
was the second speaker. He called
attention to the stirring scenes Of
1898 and paid tribute to the boys
who volunteered in their country's
service.
Mayor Yields Address
Mayor Weld spoke as follows.
Twenty-Five years ago the Unit
ed States-the whole world in fact.
was electrified by the happenings in
Cuba. The American battleship
Maine had been exploded in Ha-
vana harbor-war was declared
upon Spain and President Mckinley
had issued a call for volunteers.
The sons of New Britain cat that
time but small town of some 25,-
900 people) fastened to the enlist
ment offices In response to the call
answering as they have ever done
and will always do when the honor
Of their country Is assailed. Some
of our boys joined the regular
army. some the navy and many en-
listed in the volunteer military COM
panies whose ranks were quickly
filled.
THE orders came to entrain, and
our unit-Companies D. E and ].
with that stirring battle cry, Re
member the Maine ringing in their
ears and hearts, left New Britain
amid the cheers Of her patriotic
citizens. and amid the tears of
wives. sweethearts and families.
They were our own stalwart sons in
blue and khaki-their lives dedicat-
ed TO their ccuntry-ready for any
sacrifice. ready to die if need be.
to sustain the honor. the liberty
and the principles Of the nation.
"All through the toilsome days of
drill and fatigue in the Southern
the ravages of
fever and illness-poorly prepared.
badly equipped. they were ready for
the summons to action which never
came. It was their duty to be con-
tent 10 live that quotation They
also serve who only stand and wait
And 1t is fitting that we pause to re-
member that many Of cur boys in
the regular army and navy saw ac-
ton during those strenuous days.
as our cemeteries bear silent evil
dence to their sacrifices.
War over. our boys of 49, re-
turned to their homes; faithful and
alert in peace as In war. they
carved for themselves lives Of con-
,inued service and honor. Their in
.erest in the civic, the political and
the business life OF our city has
never waned. and among the roster
Of our Spanish American war
heroes we find many men of prom
inence in our city.
"Throughout the years Of peace
hey have waited land worked pa
tiently for the day that has come
at last-the day that they might
stand meath a memorial to their
vino never returned.
"As they have served, waited and
'emembered so also has the munich
her citizens have never forgotten
nor will they ever forget, the valor.
The sacrifices. the heroism Of her !
brave sons. After almost 80 long
Years OF waiting. funds were pro-
ided for the erection of this beau
iful memorial and today the ci'i-
gens OF New Britain stand shoulder
o shoulder with the veterans Of !
he Spanish american War 10 dedi- |
2ate this monument Of honor, a /.
replica of the Moro Castle that so |
many Of our brave boys helped to |
win from the e1lemy-beautifully !
placed at the entrance OF our fair |
inscribed with the i'm
portan' events of that war and I
With the honor roll of veterans. |
''As mayor Of The City Of New !
Britain. and In behalf of her citi- |
Gems 1t is my privilege to accept for
hem his memorial from the Dllild- !
ing COMMITTEES. aud 7 pledge for .
hem the perpetuation and care /
which 1t so justly deserves. I also /
Dladgs Nh lt tho deeds and va lOf T