PROGRAM OF EXERCISES 
 ATTENDING Tin: VNvr.n.iM. OF 
 THE STATl'K OF 
 
 ALKXANDKli IIAMII /Vi > N 
 
 BIIITH I'l.AZA, TRKA91RY HlILniNCl 
 
 WASHIBM -T< >N. l>. » . 
 
 mav itth, lose 
 
ALEXANDER HAMILTON was born in the island of Nevis, West 
 Indies, on January 1 1, 1757, and died in New York July 12, 1804. At the 
 age of 12 years it was necessary for him to earn his own living as clerk in a 
 counting house at Saint Croix, but his genius being soon recognized funds 
 were raised by his friends to enable him to come to America to finish his 
 education. He arrived here in 1772 and in 1774 entered college where he 
 made a brilliant record as a student. In March, 1776, he secured a com- 
 mission in the Continental Army and participated in important battles of 
 the Revolution, displaying skill and courage. He also served as aid-de- 
 camp on the staff of Washington. At the close of the war he was but 24 
 years of age, but was even then considered one of the great men of the 
 day. He was elected to the Continental Congress from New York October 
 1, 1782, but resigned in 1783 and returned to the practice of law. He took 
 an active part in the preparation of the Constitution of which he was a 
 signer. When Congress in 1789 established a Treasury Department, 
 Washington at once made Hamilton its first Secretary, where his great 
 ability was devoted to organizing the Department and inaugurating a suc- 
 cessful national financial policy. The Encyclopedia Americana in its biog- 
 raphy of this great public character says "American history presents no 
 more striking character than Alexander Hamilton. He was not popular, 
 nor did he strive after popularity, but after 100 years his name still holds a 
 noble eminence. He lived for the public good. Eloquent and refined, able 
 and brilliant, the embodiment of devotion, integrity and courage, he has 
 left as deep a mark upon our political institutions as any other statesman 
 our country has produced." 
 
Order of Exercises, May 17, 1923, 3 P. M. 
 
 Hon. A. W. Mellon, 
 
 Secretary of the Treasury, Presiding 
 
 Music 
 
 Invocation Rev. Edgar A. Hamilton 
 
 Introductory Remarks by Presiding Officer 
 
 Unveiling of Monument by Miss Eleanor E. Hamilton 
 
 Music, "Star Spangled Banner" 
 
 Salute from U. S. Coast Guard Cutter "Apache" ^ At Anch ° r in 
 
 Potomac River 
 
 Floral Tributes 
 
 Presentation of the 
 
 Monument by JUSTICE JOSIAH A VAN ORSDEL 
 
 Introduction of the Sculptor, Mr. James E. Fraser 
 
 Address by the President 
 
 and acceptance of the Memorial on behalf of the United States 
 
 Benediction Rev. E. Laurens Hamilton 
 
 Taps 
 
 Music by U. S. Marine Band 
 Lieut. Wm. H. Santelmann, Director 
 
 Alexander Hamilton Memorial Commission 
 
 Hon. A. W. Mellon, 
 Chairman of Commission. 
 
 Hon. Frank D. Brandegee, Hon. Norman J. Gould, 
 
 Justice Jcsiah A. Van Orsdel, 
 
 Mr. Paul Sleman, Mr. James A. Wetmore, 
 
 Executive and Disbursing Officer. 
 
 Mr. L. A. Simon, 
 Secretary of Commission. 
 
Historical Sketch of the Alexander Hamilton Association 
 
 The Alexander Hamilton National Memorial Association was organized 
 in February, 1908, for the purpose of raising, by public or private subscrip- 
 tion, the money necessary to erect a suitable memorial in the form of a 
 monument or statue to perpetuate the memory and commemorate the 
 public achievements of Alexander Hamilton. The organization of the 
 Association was due to the efforts of Mr. Franklin W. Collins, at that time 
 an attorney in the Department of Justice. The Association was incorpor- 
 ated under the laws of the District of Columbia, the incorporators being 
 Josiah A. Van Orsdel, Franklin W. Collins, Charles G. Dawes, Henry D. 
 Estabrook, William H. Ball, Philip M. Ashford and Paul Sleman. Justice 
 John M. Harlan of the Supreme Court of the United States was elected 
 President of the Association, Mr. Franklin W. Collins and Mr. Paul Sleman, 
 Secretaries, and Hon. Milton E. Ailes, Treasurer. Upon the death of Jus- 
 tice Harlan, Justice Josiah A. Van Orsdel was elected President of the 
 Association. Through the efforts of the Association, Congress appropri- 
 ated Ten Thousand Dollars for the preparation of a site and the erection of 
 a pedestal. While the work of raising funds for the statue was progressing, 
 a New York woman, who desires that her name be not disclosed, agreed 
 to contribute the funds necessary to erect the statue, if the Association 
 would provide for the erection of the pedestal. The funds required for the 
 erection of the pedestal, beyond the amount appropriated by Congress, 
 were furnished by the Alexander Hamilton Association. 
 
 Dedicatory ceremonies arranged by 
 Office of Public Buildings and Grounds 
 Lt. Col. C. O. Sherrill, U. S. A., in charge. 
 
 Guard of Honor consisting of landing force from U. S. Coast 
 Guard Cutter "Manning." Officers and men of the U. S. Coast 
 Guard assisting in the unveiling and serving as ushers. 
 
 The U. S. Coast Guard Cutters "Manning" and "Apache" 
 ordered to Washington in connection with the ceremony, by 
 Rear-Admiral W. E. Reynolds, U. S. C. G. 
 
 Decorations by Frederick D. Owen.