The San Francisco call., 1898-05-31
Call Office, Riggs House,

HreSlQenC Mckinley ana three or ms
 Cabinet to-day joined 5000 other citi-
 zens in doing honor to the patriotic
 dead. The ceremonies were held simul-
 taneously in different parts of the cem-
 etery, but the main ceremonies were iI
 the amphitheater close to the old Lee
 mansion. There some 2500 people gath
 cred, while on the platform was a dis
 tinguished company headed by Presi-
 dent Mckinley, Vice President Hobart
 Secretary of War Alger, Secretary ot
 the Treasury Gage, Secretary of Agri- culture Wilson and United States Sena- tor Thurston, the orator of the day
 Just back of them sat Commissioner of Pensions Evans and other officials, the Chinese Minister and the Korean Min ister and representations from other le- gations. Prior to the ceremonies there was a procession of members of the Grand Army, the Sons of Veterans, the Woman's Relief Corp, ex-soldiers and sailors and the general public headed by the Fourth Artillery band, halting for a brief service at the Tomb of the Unknown" the band meanwhile play ing dirge, and then marching through the grounds, proceeding to the work of decorating the graves.
 The President and party were very prompt in arriving, and soon after they reached the platform the assembly was called to order by Commander Arthur Hendricks of the Department of the Potomac c. A. R. The exercises em- braced a number of addresses, poems, singing by a quartet and the customary reading of orders. The feature of the ceremonies, however, was the address of Senator Thurston of Nebraska, who was introduced as one always ready to lend his aid to the cause of liberty and patriotism His oration was listened 10 most attentively by the audience ;tnd prolonged applause greeted his refer ence to the absence of sectio onalism and to the presence of Admiral Dewey in the harbor of Manila. Senator Thurs ton said in conclusion:
 War Is a terrible thing, to be summed and avoided whenever and as far as pos sible. But I have no sympathy with those who believe that war should be avoided at the sacrifice of national honor, at the expense of humanity or the loss or ID. erty I cannot love those who turn deaf ears to the unceasing cries of the victims of tyranny, inhumantty and barbarlty, because liberty and relief can only come through the shedding of blood. If read Gods history alright, civilization and vival of the fittest, but by the sacrifice of the best. What puny human 1nteln- gence dares to assert that the blood of Lexington was not sacred. even as the blood of Calvary? Warren at Bunker Hill, Baker at Balls Bluff, Bagley at Cardenas, all gloriously died to hasten the coming of Gods Kingdom on earth. Yea, and Dewey, in the harbor of Manila, was the blessed messenger of Gods just wrath
 do not know when this war with Spain will cease. 1 do not know what sacri- fees we may be called upon to make. do not know how many headstones may yet be added to this city of the dead. I do not know how many mothers hearts may mourn. do not know how many al- that whatever the cost. the delivering of the new world from the barbarfty and inhumanity of Spains merciless despot- ism will be worth it all. I do know that all the people in enduring friendship and abiding love: do know that the con- secration Of American energies, the up- lifting of American sentiment in so un- selfish and holy a cause; I do know that this touching of elbows under the one flag who faced each other on our battlefields under two flags; I do know that this ac- complishment of Gods great purpose will est blessing and reward. And I have faith to believe that from above the opened heavens the great war President, Abraham Lincoln, looks down approving ly upon our great war President, William Mckinley, while Grant and Lee, could they but speak to us to-day, would fire the hearts of their old lieutenants now in command of the armies of the United States. with the inspiring cry "On to CuDa-'
 Rest in peace, oh mighty dead The cause for which you fought can never be assailed. Rest in peace-the race whose freedom you achieved will bless you with their latest breath. Rest in peace-the union you preserved remains forever, and liberty, equal rights and justice are the | heritage of your descendants seen ant to the followed the flag.
 The Presidential party left at the | conclusion of Senator Thurston's ora- ton, driving almost immediately back | to the city. Hon. John c. Clancy, ex- Assistant Attorney General of the United States, also delivered an ora- tion, in the course of which he pre- dicted that no nation whose most glo- rious boast is the feats of its bull fighters can long withstand the ad- l vancing columns of our military hosts. |
 Simultaneously with the exercises in 1 the amphitheater, a smaller assem bla ge gathered on the front porch of the | mansion where the Confederate chief l tain, Lee, spent much of his life, to at tend special naval services at the tomb | of Admiral Porter. Ex-Secretary of | Navy Hilary A. Herbert of Alabama | was the speaker of the day, and an ad- | dress was also delivered by w H. | Michael chief clerk of the State De- pertinent. Mir. Herbert said in part:
 Here rest the hallowed remains of heroes of the army and navy of the | Union, but here also are heroes of the | Confederacy, all sleeping in the same soil and covered by the same flag, and ex- Union and ex-Confederate soldiers and | sailors are here alike to pay united tri- bute to the deeds of those who made for ever glorious the epoch of our great Civil War. Never was there civil war like ours, and never were the fruits of war richer or more benefcent. There was no compromise. Secession the issue and slavery the incident were settled for ever; nothing left for dispute, and as the God of nature intended 1t should be, we became at last one country, such union of state and people as Washington and Franklin and Jackson fought for, dreamed of and planned. but never lived to see. would not pluck a leaf from the chaplet that adorns the brow of any soldier of that war, Federal or Con- federate. yet 1t is only fair to say that while history has done no more than jus tice tn them it has not dnna full iuaticA