Weekly Chemawa American., February 27, 1903, Page 6, Image 6

6
THE CHEMAWA AMERICAN
Maine was Remembered
Great crowd of Americans gathered to
pay tribute to the honored dead..
American Minister in Havana refused to
attend the services.
Americans mortified at tno action of
theil representative in Cuba.
To the (Jhemawa American,
Chtmawa. Oregon : .
The menjoriul tei vices leld last Sunday
over the wreck ot the Maine was as great a
success as could have been wished for.
Nearly one thousand people patriotic
Americans, with a good representation of
Cubans and (Spaniards were present, the
fint to render aduty stirred by the highest
patriotism, the latter out of respect to
"Our Honored Dead."
The entire sceue will be one never to be
forgotten by those who were so fortunate as
to Bee it. At.a tew minutes past two
o'clock, the United States launch No. 1
left Caballeria whaif bearing iheguestB of
honor, V, S. Consul General William
A. Kublee and Vice-Consul GeneralJoseph
Springer, the speakers and the committee.
Following this launch whb that of the Cap
tain of the Port Luis Ye ro, having aboard
also another guest of honor, General Emilto
Nunez, Governer of the Province of Hava
na and President of the B'Kiiety of Cuban
veterans. Other important personages were
also on hoard. Alter reaching about the
center of the Harbor these launches stopped
while the large passenger boats, the
Georgia and the Clara, both loaded down
with people, together with some lglit
more launches and a multitude of smaller
boats formed in line. Then began the pro
cession towards the Maine, the United
States frtiliery band playing Chopin's;
funeral march. On reaching the wreck a
complete circuit around it as made, the
solemn music of the funeral marph being
played constantly.
The circut of the Maine having b'een
completed tb launch hearing the c m
mlttee stopped and the two largest beats
tied fust to the wreck while the launch
with the speakers tied to the larger boats.
Before the excercisea began a beautiful
flur.l reath brought by Civil Governor
EmiHo Nunez, iu representation of the
Cubau veterans, was placed in the center of
the wreck, which was already adorned
with the Ameilcan flag at half mast,
bunting and wreaths from the American
colony. -
The opening address was made by M. W.
A. Metchant. In a very few bui well cho
sen remarks he tohi why Americans met to
, celebrate the anniversary of the terrible
catastrophe of the blowing up Of tbe battle
ship Maine. He then introduced the Iter
Lowell. C. MePherson, who delivered a
very eloquent prayer, during wbich every
head in the large assembly whs bowed,
and that of every mmi uncovered. Mr.
Merchant then introduced Mr. Earnest Lee
Conant, the orator of the day. Mr.Cor.aut
spoke for about 15 minutes aud in a vi-ice
which, ihougti not loud, was distinctly ,
heard and commanded th closest alien
tioo. The next speaker was General Nuruz he I
said, "I cauie here today aB President of I
the association Cuban veterans, re present-
lug a grateful people, to offW a wreath to
be placed over the remains of tbe valiant
and true men who died in the service of
their country. Triey were saoriliceii, aid
the event made a new epoch in tbe histurj
of Cuba. It caneli belaid that free Cubi
' was born when the Maine was blown up.
We will not investigate the cause but io
oept. the results and the Cubau veterans will
on each succeeding anniversary remember,
the men who found wwteiy giave ben
unawares, sacrificing their lives (or tin
new Republic, the ward of their country,
that it might find a place among civilized
nations.
Gov. Nunez was aplauded quietly aud
then the band played "Nearer My Ood to
Thee."
Two children of President Palmi ww
present and neeraed to pay the greateat Of
interest in the proceedings.
Minister Squires "Not Present"
The American Minister to Cuba was ij
conspicuous, by his absence. Mr, Squire