262 MAJOR JOHN F. LACEY 



every patriotic American, and so we have our Sons and 

 Daughters of the Revolution and Sons of Veterans of to- 

 day. 



In Great Britain noble ancestry is of vital importance. 

 Boyle, the great scientist, was introduced to an audience 

 as "the father of chemistry and the brother of the Earl 

 of Cork." In this country the Earl of Cork would be in- 

 troduced as the brother of Boyle. 



Even Josiah Quincy, who has achieved some distinction 

 on his own account, recently had an experience of the lack 

 of rank by birth in this country. As he passed through 

 the capitol in Boston one day two Irishmen were standing 

 by, and one of them said to the other: "Who was that, 

 Pat?" The other replied: "I am surprised at you. 

 Don't you know him? He is the grandson of that statue 

 out there in the Common. ' ' 



An American descendant of a Lincoln or a Grant 

 rather labors under the shadow of a great name. The 

 Duke of Veragua found himself burdened with the titles 

 of Columbus when he visited the great exposition at Chi- 

 cago, for the ability of his great ancestors was expected 

 to be shown by any one who claimed his honors. 



Comrades and fellow citizens, as another Decoration 

 Day passes away I trust that we shall separate with a 

 feeling that we are all better for this meeting and for 

 these memories. Let us have faith in the future of our 

 country, but at the same time neglect no means to make 

 that future what God has intended it. To will a thing to 

 some purpose we should will the means to accomplish 

 that purpose. 



The future concerns us all, and it is our duty to guard 

 it well. As the mariner prayed to Neptune, ' ' Thou may- 

 est save me if thou wilt, and if thou wilt destroy me ; but 

 whether or no I will steer my rudder true." Let us here 



