Letters and Patriotic Sentiments.
Letters of regret at inability to be present were received from ex-Gov. John Lee Carroll of Maryland, president of the Sons of the Revolution; Governor Roosevelt of New York, President Eliot of Harvard, President Hadley of Yale, Senator Hoar of Massachusetts, Senators Hale and Frye of Maine, Senator Mason of Illinois, David Starr Jordon, president of Leland Stanford University; E. Benjamin Andrews, superintendent of public schools, Chicago; Congressman Sulzer of New York, Rector Conaty of the Catholic University, President Harper of the University of Chicago, Rev. James H. O’Donnell, Watertown, Conn.; Hon. Thomas J. Lynch, Augusta, Me.; Hon. James S. Coleman, New York city; Col. John P. Donahoe, Wilmington, Del.; Mayor Driscoll of New Haven, Conn.; Col. James Quinlan, New York city; John J. Davis, Greenville, Pa.; James Connolly, Coronado, Cal.; Col. James Moran, Providence, R. I., and from several others.
Ex-Gov. Carroll of Maryland wrote: “If we contrast the pitiful resources of those early days with the present happiness, wealth and prosperity of our united country, we can realize the courage of those daring men who openly proclaimed that our only purpose was to obtain our freedom ‘peaceably if we could, forcibly if we must.’”
E. Benj. Andrews of Chicago declared: “I assure you that nothing but my distance from you prevents my attendance. I should be pleased to attend, not only to hear the distinguished gentlemen who will be present, but also to testify anew the reverence which all true patriots must feel for the brave men who immortalized themselves by standing for liberty on Lexington green, 125 years ago.”
Senator Hoar wrote: “It will not be in my power to attend the celebration of the 19th of April in Boston by the American-Irish Historical Society. But I am sure that the celebration will be in the spirit which animated the men who fought and the men who died on the 19th of April, 1775. You will, I am sure, reinforce the lesson that no human power can turn wrong into right, injustice into justice, or lawfully crush out the love of liberty native in every human soul and the right to independence that belongs to every people.”
Gov. Roosevelt said in his letter: “I wish I could be present with you at the celebration of the battle of Lexington. It is peculiarly appropriate for men of Irish stock to take part in this celebration, for they have always done even more than their proper share of valiant fighting for the republic.”
Congressman Sulzer wrote: “I regret exceedingly my inability to accept owing to imperative official duties here which demand my presence in Washington. If ever there was a time in the history of the republic when we should celebrate the battle of Lexington it is this year, and I trust your celebration will be a great success in every way.”
From Congressman Capron of Rhode Island: “I am inclined to refer to the patriots who fought in the great struggle which initiated the war for independence and human liberty with the deepest devotion akin to reverence. The event itself should be held in grateful remembrance.... Let every American if he would find the spirit which animated the men of Lexington look down into his own being and analyze the feelings lying there, and if he be a true American he will find love of God, love of country, love of home, love of liberty, love of law and love of man, all and each of which are the essential components of that which we call patriotism. My colleague, Mr. Bull, who was also the recipient of your invitation, desires me to express his thanks therefor and to say that he heartily joins in the sentiments herein expressed.”