The Washington times., 1909-05-31
ARLINGTON THEME
IS LOOKING BACK"
Deeds of Great Men Held
Up as Example to
Veterans.
.TOMBS OF UNKNOWN
DECORATED FIRST
Senator McCumber Pays Glowing
Tribute to Men Who Fought
in Civil War.

National retTospection as the safe
guard Of the people was the keynote
of the exercises at Arlington today
In the Grafton Of Senator Porter J. Nc
Cumber, of North Dakota. in the ampi-
theater, and in the attitude OF the vet
Grams OF two wars who decorated the
graves OF their departed comrades, this
sentiment seemed uppermOst. That
Memorial Day has come TO mean a
period Of looking backward over the
deeds Of the great men for inspiration
TO carry on the work OF nation building
IN the future and that, on the strength
OF the inspiration thus obtained, the
fate Of the nation depends. was made
evident by the men who had worn the
blue and the men who had worn the
Khaki. in their discussionas about the
graveside Of their comrades.
1t was 1880 o'clock when. headed by
the Fifteenth Cavalry Band, the vet
Grams marched from the hilltop in front
of the mansion to the Tomb Of the In
known Dead, in accordance with the
annual custom. Mai. z. R. Campbell
was in command Of the column, which
included the veterans who had par
ticipated in the parade in the city earlier
in the morning and the delegations from
the various posts, and the Women S
Relief Corps, that had been on duty
at the cemetery decorating the graves
Around the great tomb the line marcn-
ed hating while the ladies decorated
the mound. Tence the procession moved
10 the Spanish War section, where the
Soldiers Monument was decorated and
then the column returned 10 the amphL-
Give National Salute.
II was Just noon when the boom o.
The first gun OF the national salute
signaled the beginning of the exercises
IN the amphitheater- The echo OF the
last of the twenty-one guns had not
died away when a bRgler sounded as
sembly," and the Marine SAND played
''The Star Spangled Banner. Depart,
ment Commander u. H Holbrook called
the assembling TO order ana chaplain
J, %. Bloodgood pronounced the invoca-
ton After more music and the reading
Of the orders Of the day Assistant Ad'
1utanI General .. Fl. Oldroyd. Samue
r Strattou read LAncoln's Gettys5urs
address. Miss Bessie Birch sang The
Rest OF the Brave Dr. Thomas Cal
yer read an original poem, THE Man!
OF the Maine." and Miss Birch and TIT
choir sang again, after which Senator
Porter J. McCumber was introduced
as the orator OF the day.
Senator McCumber referred 10 the
well-Znown tact that Arlington IS a ma
tional cemetery in the newest and Desi
sense OF the word in that il forms the
last resting plsce for the men VINO
wore the grey as we'll as the men Wne
were the blue. For nearly a hundred
years the cause over which these brave
men fought has been buried, rever tC
be FeSurrecteC again. he declared. Con
tinuing Senator McCumber said:
Speech of McCumber.
NV .soIdiar friends. this country, witt
al its present glory, its immeasurabl
wealth, and its incompTehensive power
Il the same country which posterit!
took from your hands forty and fou
years ago, but, an, how changed sine
that fair DAY. When you emerged from
the war, its flag flOated over a TuTa
people. Our population was OYerWhelIn
ingly agricultural We lived close 10 IN
breast of nature and ever reE IN
1hrob of its enlivening heart tn
wealth of the country was little an
quite evenly distributed. Accumulate
fortunes were so few and far between
that they attracted little attention
With slight contact with them tn
pangs Of jealousy and envy lay dor
mani in our hearts The press or IN
country. then IN its primary stage o
development, was for the most par
conservative, reliable and healthful
This was the country you gave 70 US.
But what marvel has since beel
wrought!
The last dozen years have given u
a prosperity never before approached Il
this or any other country. Under il
exhilaration everything we have touche
has seemed 20 turn 10 gold Under 1t
inspiration speculation has run riot, an
fabulous fortunes have sprung into be
tag throughout the land
sand yet. through all this clamor
this rush for wealth and power, thi
glOrification OF national pTOwess, Ihi
Osteutatious display, the listening hear
Of patriotism cannot but hear the wins
per Of a caution, Lest we forget, W
know the impressibihty OF human char
acter. We know 10 what hnal resul
every condition inevitably leads, for,
a. History with. all her volumes vast
Hath but one page
Patriotism Only Safety.
sand so IN apprehension we turn :
Ioox for that only haven Of absolut
safety. the old patriotism of 1851 TO 1s6
Your patrsotsm maintained IN its olds
vfgor and transmitted to your children
children is our surest shield against tn
dangers that always lTk in the shado'
of q too rapid progress or breed degeI
eracy IN the indolGnt atmosphere Of TO
great a wealth
Today the Grand Army Of the Re
public lays its tribute Of flowers on II
thirty thousand new made graves. Mes
year the death list win be stu mort
This Is the silent slaughter as you wal
into the valley, but you wax forth wit
the same undaunted hearts with tn
same brave steps and at night 20
sing the same old songs-soldiers TO tt
end And those who watch yOu. an
those who walk with you, as deepe
and deeper into the valley Of nigh
YOU go. with tears that we'll from tn
heart with gratitude inexpressible, ca
only rnurmur, God be with YOU TO III
end"
A series or musical selections follow
ed BY the singing OF America" by III
entire assemblage. brought the pBograT
TO a close the benedicuon being pre-
nounced by the Rev Dr. John Rel
Shannon, pastor OF the MetrOpolita
n. z church. The musical program thl
year was especially prepared by tn
Dumbarton Avenue 81. e Cnurc
choir.