Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-02-28

daughter, and here he lived when not
away on his country's service. It was
across this threshold he stepped when
he unsheathed his sword in support Of
the cause which was subsequently lost.
The old house stands just as It stood
10 years ago. Though stripped Of its
antique furniture and its valuable rel
les OF Washington, its precious mem
ories still cling to it. The servants
quarters, detached kitchen and other
outbuildings are preserved intact In
a part of the house live the family of
the officer In charge of the cemetery,
the large parlors being reserved for the
use of the public. A register is kept,
upon which 10000 names a year are
recorded, and ON the walls hang maps
of the cemetery and diagrams show
the known dead.
More than 1900 soldiers who have
died in defense of the flag have their
last resting place in Arlington. OF
these, nearly 5000 are unknown. Vast
as are these figures, one can easily be-
lieve them to be true, for on either side
long, regularly formed rows of white
headstones extend, perspective of green
between lines Of white, as far as vision
can reach. The grounds ere perfectly
kept. There is no grave that has be-
come sunken, and none is marked by
an elevation of the ground. Smooth
and even is the surface everywhere.
yEoIly en- lv, far,
minutes one may see such typical
American names as Sherman, Whit
tier, SpGulding. Jackson, Lee, Buchan-
an, Lawrence, Sheridan, Grant, Ran
dolph and Allen. Plenty of good Irish
names may be seen, too, and German
as well, significant of the valiant part
played in the country's defense by her
adopted sons. Silent witnesses Of
wars havoc are all these stones, but
more especially those marked "a Leg"
or IAN Arm" One shudders when he
stands beside the spot where in a pit
were thrown the bones Of 2,111 un-
known soldiers gathered after the war
from the fields of Bnll Run and the
route of the. Rappahannock. Over
them Is cannon surmounted monu
ment bearing the inscription:
Their remains could not be identified, but their
names and deaths are recorded in the archives Of
their country, and its grateful citizens honor
them as Of their noble army Of martyrs. May
they rest in peace.
There are many beautiful and some
magnificent monuments in the ceme-
terry, the most noteworthy of those
lately erected being that over the grave
of Sheridan. Year by year the military
organizations of the different states
are adding monuments, but to many
by far the most impressive memorial
is the imposing granite sarcophagus
over the grave of the 2,111 unknown"
Unmarked as yet is the spot where rest
the remains of the boys who fell in
Cuba and the victims of the Maine dis
aster. However, it will probably not
be long before a. grateful country will
give such recognition to the memories
of these brave men as may be express
ed in granite and bronze. Here, too,
will have to be set a tablet bearing
that mute word unidentified"
With each succeeding year the num-
bers of those who visit Arlington to
bedeck the graves of the fallen heroes
is increasing. Here is the Mecca of
the Grand Army of the Republic. Mem
bers of this organization who visit
Washington, no matter at what sen
sou of the year, some time during their
stay wend their steps toward the Ma
i~aida tho tT,.
closure at Arlington, they forge. the
present aud live only in the past. Who,
though he be old soldier or not, can
walk through Arlington without a
surging OF sentiment and of patriotism
In his breast? Who cum fail TO be deep
ly impressed with the horrors that at
tend upon war and the frightful price
that humanity has paid for it's ad-
vances?
Despite the solemnity that over
comes one In Il thoughtful mood when
visiting Arlington, it is yet popular
resort for the citizens and many visit
ors to Washington during the summer
months. In addition TO the magnif-
cent view had from the mansion and
other high points in the cemetery TO
which nllusion has already been made,
there is much besides the tombs and
the monuments and the mansion to in
tercst and please the visitor. Roads
and paths wind among the oaks, elms,
naples and magnolias, and many kinds
of evergreensland thousands Of flowers
and shrubs are on every hand. In the
midst of this verdure and buoyant veg
etable life the visitor may find sur.
cease from the heat and turmoil Of the
Capital City, his emotions tempered by
the tender sentiment that bowers over
the resting places of the nations dead.
In the years TO come there will be
thousands whose footsteps will turn to-
ward the grave OF Lawton, aud loving
hands will pile high in grateful remem-
brance beautiful flowers upon the last
home of this brave soldier who met
death on the firing line in a distant
land. SAMUEL HUBBARD.
Able to Hold Her own.
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