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| Julia E. Hyatt. |
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| James R. Birdlebough. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, January 2, 1899.
Cortland Hospital Visited on New Year's Day and a Substantial Gift Left With the Management—Religious Exercises Held Under Direction of the Knights.
For a number of years it has been the custom of Cortland commandery, No.50, Knights Templar, to call upon some worthy local institution on New Year's day and in connection with the holding of religious exercises, as is fitting on the opening day of the year, to leave a substantial gift to aid in carrying on the work at the place visited. In 1896 and in 1897 the commandery visited the Old Ladies' Home in Homer, and left a gift, and in 1896 also contributed $25 to the Cortland hospital. In 1898 the Woman's Riverside Home was honored by a visit and substantially aided. This year it was decided that the call should be made at the Cortland hospital, which had never before been visited by the Knights in a body.
Accordingly at 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon the commandery met at its rooms and in full regalia marched to the hospital, arriving promptly at 2:30 o'clock, the time appointed. The line was composed as follows: Eminent Commander J. R. Birdlebough, Generalissimo and Past Eminent Commander F. P. Hakes, Captain General A. M. Jewett, Prelate and Past Eminent Commander H. T. Dana, Past Eminent Commander George L. Warren, Sir Knights James M. Milne, James C. Keeler, C. E. Ingalls, L. S. Ingalls, F. W. Higgins, C. F. Brown, E. D. Mallery, G. J. Mager, Albert Fisher of Homer, A. J. Murray, James R. Schermerhorn, Delos Bauder. S. L. Palmer, Leland G. Davis, Robert Otto, L. D. Boies, L. F. Stillman, Robert Bushby, Wm. T. Bushby, E. E. Ellis, C. S. Strowbridge, H. D. Hunt of Preble, B. W. Rood, A. B. Nelson and M. E Sarvay.
At the hospital the following members of the ladies' board of managers were assembled: Mrs. Julia E. Hyatt, Mrs. A. E. Buck, Mrs. Hugh Duffey, Mrs. N. J. Peck, Mrs. W. J. Perkins. There were also present several members of the advisory committee. Nearly all of the ministers in town had been invited, but for various reasons only Dr. Houghton and Rev. John T. Stone were able to accept the invitations.
As the Knights marched up to the door they were met by the matron, Mrs. Helen M. Waters, and some of the five nurses who were present directed them to a room where they could lay aside their overcoats, which on account of the zero weather were absolutely necessary to their comfort out of doors.
When ready the Knights marched into the receptionroom [sic] and took their positions in files two deep around three sides of the room. The board of managers, the advisory committee, and the ministers occupied the fourth side of the room, while in their rear the matron and nurses were grouped in the door opening into the hall.
Eminent Commander Birdlebough acted as master of ceremonies. The service was opened by the singing by the Knights of "Onward Christian Soldier." Prayer was then offered by Rev. Dr. Houghton ending with the Lord's Prayer in which all of the Knights kneeling joined. The commandery sang "Nearer, My God, to Thee." The Scripture lesson which consisted of a part of the twelfth chapter of Luke was read by Dr. Houghton.
Commander Birdlebough said that a part of their errand upon such an occasion as this consisted in making an offering and that this would now be presented to the hospital by Sir Knight Milne. Dr. Milne's address which was a gem in itself both as to beauty of thought and the language in which it was clothed, as well as to its fine delivery was as follows:
Mrs. President and Board of Managers of the Cortland Hospital:
We come on this birthday of another year as bearers of gifts, and in conveying our offerings I am charged by the eminent commander and these Sir Knights of Cortland commandery to voice their hopes that all the kindly good wishes, which you may have received in your family and social relations for a happy New Year may be abundantly multiplied for each and all of you in your official capacity as carers of this home and this asylum for needy humanity.
Emerson, you will remember, says that the only gift is a portion of one's self, and for that reason the poet appropriately brings his poem; the shepherd, his lambs; the farmer, corn; the miner, a gem; the sailor, corals and shells; the painter, his picture; the girl, a handkerchief of her own sewing.
In that spirit we, Sir Knights, bear to you a portion of ourselves. Our order, you will recall, is an outgrowth of the humanitarian spirit of the rich age of chivalry. The pillars of our temple are "Charity, Mercy and Justice." On our oriflamme are ''Christianity and Humanity." Our pledge is to protect the innocent, care for the sick and give succor to the needy. Our opportunity is the present and our gleaning field, the world.
We bear you then as a gift from our brotherhood that large sympathy, which they have with you in your grand and noble work—a sympathy which will bear emolument to your spirits. We bear you as well Templars' faith in you and in your work—a faith which means obedience, strengthened by power and extended by patience We bear you Templars' cheer which will enable you ever to see brightness somewhere in this world, so rich in needs, but so poor in thanks. We bear you Templars' charity, which will lead you to feel deep suffering in another's sorrow and find rich joy in another's smile. And finally, we bear you the benediction of the Templars' Master and Exemplar, "Well done, good and faithful servant! Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." You can readily appreciate that the gift we bear is the pledge of Templars' heads and hearts with you in your generous services, and as a token of remembrance of the gift we bring, we ask you to accept this money, an offering from Templars' hands.
As Dr. Milne ceased speaking he stepped forward and handed to Mrs. Hyatt, the president of the Hospital association, an envelope containing the offering of the commandery—$27.75.
At the request of Mrs. Hyatt, the response to Dr. Milne's remarks and the acceptance of the gift was made by Edward D. Blodgett, a member of the advisory committee, who spoke as follows:
Eminent Commander Birdlebough, Dr. Milne and Members of Cortland Commandery, No. 50, Knights Templar:
You have come to-day upon your annual pilgrimage with benevolent intent. Nearly eight centuries ago the first member of your order, inspired by a similar purpose, set out upon a similar errand. It was in the year 1118 that Hugh de Paganis, a Burgundian knight, with eight associates took upon themselves solemn vows to the patriarch of Jerusalem to protect the public roads, to live the life of canons, to fight for the high King of Heaven in chastity, obedience and self denial. The characteristics and qualities which they swore to maintain in their lives have been the watchwords, with certain adaptations of your order ever since. You have always made it your purpose to protect the weak, to lift up the downcast and down-trodden and to care for the sick. It was in the furtherance of this aim that you made your pilgrimage to the Old Ladies' Home in Homer two years ago; that you called at the Woman's Riverside Home down by Port Watson bridge one year ago; and that you have now brought cheer to the Cortland hospital. And it is my pleasant task, as a member of the advisory committee, in behalf of the woman's board of managers to bid you welcome.
The Cortland hospital is not primarily a charitable institution. It is a public institution—a worthy institution, and one in which we all have an interest. It is not designed solely as an emergency retreat for the poor, the needy, the victim of sudden accident, though all of these have their share in it, but it is a place where the most well-to-do can go in time of illness or accident or need of operation and, because of its particular adaptation to the purpose and because of its skilled and trained nurses, can receive better care and treatment than they could at home, and can pay for It. No one of us knows how soon we may have need of it. And until such a time comes—and we hope it may not be long delayed—when it shall have a sufficient endowment to provide an income adequate to all its needs it is a worthy object of the offering which you or any one [sic] else may bring.
And in making this visit to-day may I remind you that not only is the hospital thus assisted, but there comes a reflex benefit to yourselves as well. You remember the beautiful story of Sir Launfal and his search for The Holy Grail; how he went forth in the early morn in the full pride and vigor of youth to look for that sacred object; how a leper appeared to him just outside the gate
"Who begged with his hand and moaned as he sate;
And a loathing over sir Launfal came;
The sunshine went out of his soul with a thrill.
The flesh 'neath his armor 'gan shrink and crawl,
And midway its leap his heart stood still
Like a frozen waterfall;
For this man, so foul and bent of stature,
Rasped harshly against his dainty nature,
And seemed the one blot on the summer morn,
So he tossed him a piece of gold in scorn."
And you remember how after years of unavailing search, "An old bent man worn out and frail," he came back to his home to find it occupied by another in his absence, and as he turned away from his own door he met the same leper who again asked an alms, and this time with heart softened by years of contact with the world and by a whole lifetime of disappointment he did not give him the alms, but
"He parted in twain his single crust,
He broke the ice on the streamlet's brink;
And gave the leper to eat and drink.
'Twas a moldy crust of coarse brown bread,
'Twas water out of a wooden bowl.
Yet with fine wheaten bread was the leper fed,
And 'twas red wine he drank with his thirsty soul."
And you remember that having done this his eyes were suddenly opened and he saw that the [drinking bowl of the leper], which he had taken to dip up the water for both the leper and himself, was the Holy Grail for which he had spent his life in searching. And in his vision the leper suddenly became resplendent and in a voice
"That was calmer than silence said,
Lo, it is I, be not afraid! Climes, without avail.
Thou hast spent thy life for the Holy Grail,
Behold, it is here, this cup which thou
Didst fill at the streame for me but now;
This crust is my body broken for thee,
This water was his blood that died on the tree;
The Holy Supper is kept, indeed.
In whatso we share with another's need;
Not what we give, but what we share.
For the gift without the giver is bare;
Who gives himself with his alms feeds three,
Himself, his hungering neighbor, and me."
And so in sharing your substance with the hospital you too are benefited. And you have also learned that other lesson: Sir Launfal searched all his life in far distant lands for the Holy Grail and found it at his own doors, where he might have put his hands upon it at the moment of leaving his own castle walls, had he been so inclined, but he was going to do some great thing and look for the lost afar. In the early days of your pilgrimages you were accustomed to make your journeys to the Holy City far distant. Now you look for the objects of your benefactions close to your own doors or wherever you find any one in need. In other words, you are obeying the command "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it."
And so in behalf of the board of managers, in behalf of the matron, in behalf of the nurses, in behalf of the sick who are here to-day and in behalf of the advisory board, I bid you a cordial welcome to the hospital, I thank you for the generous gift which you have brought, and wish you a happy New Year.
Commander Birdlebough then called upon Rev. John T. Stone for some remarks, and that gentleman spoke briefly, following up the idea advanced by Dr. Milne of the gift being a part of the giver. He also referred to the fact of this visit being made upon Sunday and called attention to the truth that Christ himself taught and showed by his example that it was lawful to do good on the Sabbath day. Mr. Stone's remarks were very earnest and timely and as usual very much to the point.
In concluding the service all united in singing "Praise God from whom all blessings flow," and the benediction was pronounced by Rev. Mr. Stone.
Mrs. Hyatt in a few graceful word then tendered to the visitors the freedom of the house, and invited all to adjourn to the diningroom where the board of managers had provided light refreshments, consisting of coffee, bread and butter, doughnuts and olives.
A short time was spent after the refreshments had been served in visiting and in looking about the hospital, where everything was as neat as wax and in perfect order. A member of the board of managers made the remark that under the direction of the efficient matron Mrs. Waters, it was always in as fine condition— all over the building, cellar included as at that time; and that no one of the ladies had ever succeeded in an unexpected visit in finding it otherwise. The commandery then fell into line again and returned to the asylum, and the other visitors departed, having spent a very pleasant hour and a half.
Isaac S. Samson Dead.
Isaac S. Samson, aged 66 years and 9 months, died at 8 o'clock Sunday morning at his residence, 162 Homer-ave., where he boarded with Mr. and Mrs. C. Edwin Kinney. The funeral is to be held to-morrow afternoon at 1:30 o'clock, and burial will be made in the Cortland Rural cemetery.
In former years Mr. Samson was a resident of Cincinnatus, where he did a large hardware business and later engaged in the retail wagon trade. About eight years ago Mr. Samson with his family removed to DeRuyter, where later Mrs. Samson died. Of late, his mind had been failing, and a couple of years ago, by an order of the court, he was adjudged incompetent and H. T. Bushnell was appointed his committee. Since that time he has lived in Cortland. Mr. Samson is survived by one brother, J. M. Samson, of Cortland, and three daughters, Mrs. Emmett, Delvan of German, and Mrs. W. H. Pool and Miss Gertrude L. Samson of DeRuyter.
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| Captain Charles Dwight Sigsbee, U. S. N. |
"REMEMBER THE MAINE!"
Captain Sigsbee Denies That the Navy Used This Motto.
Captain Sigsbee, writing of the destruction of his battleship in the January Century, denies that "Remember the Maine!" was used as a motto by the navy in the late war with Spain. He also indicates a perfectly proper use of the phrase by patriotic Americans. He says:
We have heard much of the motto, "Remember the Maine!" If we are satisfied that the Maine was blown up from the outside, we have a right to remember her with indignation, but without more conclusive evidence than we now have we are not right if we charge criminality to persons. Therefore I conceive that the motto, "Remember the Maine!" used as a war cry would not have been justifiable. I should like to make the point here, as I have made it elsewhere, that this great and free country, with its education, good intention and universal moral influence, may go to war to punish, but not to revenge. Improperly applied, the motto, "Remember the Maine!" savors too much of revenge, too much of evil for evil, but it may be used in an entirely worthy sense.
During the recent war with Spain about 75 men were killed and wounded in the United States navy. Only 15 were killed. On board the Maine 254 men were killed outright, and others died later, more than 17 times as many as were killed in the United States navy by the Spanish land and naval forces during the entire war. In the way that the men of the Maine died and suffered there was enough of the heroic to provide a sound foundation for the motto, "Remember the Maine!" Let me dismiss the prevailing impression that this motto was used in the United States navy in the recent war as a battle signal. No United States naval vessel has entered into action flying the signal, "Remember the Maine!" I am glad that it can be so stated, yet one may excuse many mistaken expressions of the heat of action.
To this the editor of The Century adds:
It may be said on the authority of Captain John R. Bartlett, during the war chief intelligence officer of the navy: ''The signal, 'Remember the Maine!' has never been displayed on a United States man-of-war or by the army or navy, with one exception. A signal quartermaster (an enlisted man) of the coast signal service hoisted the signal from the station at Fort Eads, at the month of the Mississippi, when a transport loaded with troops was passing out to sea. In reporting the passing but of the transport, as was his duty, the quartermaster added to his message to headquarters the fact of display of signal, which was received with great enthusiasm by the troops. He was severely reprimanded by return message over the wires."
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| Richard Jordan Gatling. |
PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.
◘ If Dr. Gatling's remarkable gun experiment made recently at Sandy Hook means anything, it means that America is now ahead on the gun question, for the doctor has virtually made a gun that for all practical purposes will not burst, and this has been a desideratum ever since artillery came into use. Any one who has been through the ordnance yard at Washington will have obtained a pretty good notion of how much more dangerous to us than to the enemy were the guns that we used at the beginning of the civil war. Dr. Gatling has made a gun of solid metal which so far has stood a pressure of 37,000 pounds to the square inch, and it is proposed at his suggestion to subject it to 50,000 pounds. But this is not alone the great achievement. He claims that he can cast this 8 inch gun at a saving of 50 per cent on the built up guns now in use. It costs the United States government $1,000 a ton for built up guns, and Dr. Gatling says he can furnish a superior article for $500 a ton. Here are economics and dynamics going hand in hand, and if it were not for certain unpleasant results one might say that they were going to lie down together like the lion and the lamb.
◘ Some very amusing but foolish letters are being written home by officers and men in the British naval service about the Yankee tars in Manila. It seems that the navies of both nations are very chummy, but the British tar cannot quite understand the free and easy way of the Yankee, who does not cringe in the presence of his officer but, on the contrary, is very apt to speak offhand to him on all occasions. One letter describes our men as without uniforms, some of them wearing a piece of paper pinned on their shirts to designate their ships. This writer says: "When we saw them go up to the officers without saluting, we were ready to drop on the spot. They offered us cigars from their cases with, 'Have a cigar old fel!' and afterward handed us visiting cards saying, 'Now, when you're foot loose and over our way, be sure to look us up!'" All this is funny exaggeration. The discipline on the American men-of-war is every way as rigid as on a British vessel, and nowhere in the world would a jack tar be brought up standing for a breach of it so quickly as on one of our ships.
Death of Mrs. Ballard.
Mrs. Julia B. Ballard, who had been ill several years with cancer, died yesterday afternoon at her home, 10 Arthur-ave., at the age of 65 years, 4 months and 19 days. The funeral will be held at 2 o'clock to-morrow afternoon, and interment will be made in the Cortland Rural cemetery. Mrs. Ballard leaves one daughter Miss Emma J. Ballard of Cortland, and three sons, John J. Ballard of Whitney Point and Stephen D. and Dwight H. Ballard of Cortland.
His Seventy-ninth Birthday.
The 79th birthday of Mr. Erastus Graham, which occurred yesterday, New Year's day, was made particularly happy for him by reason of a call from about forty of his friends who spent the afternoon with him at his home, 141 Clinton-ave. An elaborate dinner was spread, and a joyful time was passed. Among the guests were Mr. and Mrs. Charles Clark of Syracuse, George Larabee and family, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Carpenter, Miss Bessie Carpenter, Mr. and Mrs. R. J. McElheney, and Miss Belle McElheney of Homer.
BREVITIES.
—New display advertisements to-day are—Fayette Remedy Co., Fig Flakes, page 7; McGraw & Osgood, Hanan Shoes, page 5.
—Beginning to-morrow night, the hardware stores will close at 6 o'clock P. M. except Mondays and Saturdays, until further notice.
—The STANDARD is to-day wholly a local paper as the News associations observed the legal holiday, New Year's day, and no telegraphic matter for afternoon papers was put on the wires.
—The inventory of property and stock on hand at the Cortland postoffice was completed after closing hours on Saturday evening, Dec. 31, and the transfer of administration from Mrs. Virginia Jones was immediately made to A. S. Brown, the new postmaster, who entered upon his duties Sunday morning, Jan. 1.
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