The Topeka state journal., 1911-09-26
WATERS WELCOME.

Continued from Page One.D
and far away. beyond the miserable
finite senses. the phantom lines form
and march to tuneless flies, bugles that
have no echo and unsnared drums.
These are land birds that fly to sea to
meet my ship. On this memorial day,
under auspicious autumnal skies, look
ing into the faces of my comrades of
nigh fifty years ago, what visions form
and what weird specters rise.
Memory shuts the eye that the spec
tral scene may be prolonged, and it is
strong within me, to love with an old
love, the love that thrilled the touching
elbows. of long and long ago, and
sweet as asphodels that in immortal
gardens blow.
What thoughts this hour possess the
soul;
Surviving passions old and strong,
Sweet as a solemn anthems roll,
Or memories that cling to song.
IAN undertone of soft guitar,
When thrummed at twilight's latest
And some lost love across the bar.
Drifts down the stream of long ago
"Oh, Time and Years, what wealth of
store,
The mortal places in thy keep!
Regained, when we unlock the door.
With keys of memory and sleep
An Unusual Function.
''It is a high and unusual function
in which you are called to participate
No tread of conqueror mars the
scene. 1t is not an anniversary of
satrap. nor Jubilee of an emperor. 1t
is no spread of sail nor marching col
umn to mark a conquest or celebrate
the reign of tyrant. 1t is great peo-
pie canonizing their heroes with
glory to themselves. We are not here
to raise a pyramid to entomb bar
barrie king, cuniformed by the astrol-
oyer and sOothSayer; we set no Sphynx
to view with sightless eyes another
wide. eternal, Barcan desert, nor do
we breathe into another Memnon an
idle song; but we give to patriotism
its sheltering roof, its dais, throne and
dome, the seal OF valor ana
long as liberty, Old Glory's home.
THE president of the United States.
hcnored in his own person by dis
tinguished and splendid career, the
Jealous and outspoken advocate of
peace, the chief servant of
one hundred millions of people, in the
progress of these anniversary proceed
ings. will dedicate this memorial to you
and to your memory; and it will be-
come your patrimony living, and your
lasting glory, your eternal honor, dead.
1t will be that unsubstantial structure
that mythology created for its dead
braves.
airy fiction at last turned to sculp-
tured column, uplifted pediment and
graceful architrave by the alchemy OF
your immortal acts. This noble build
ing. this proud edifice, this costly
m EN- orial will soon be the Valhalla or
American brave men.
May Be Last Encampment.
''The scene is as historic as it is
patriotic: it lifts to the plane of the
worlds greatest pageantry. We are
forging the links that bind heroic ac-
ton to the Immortality of time and
age 1t is the sustaining power of a
great love. burning its flame through
ali the years, that strengthens the
heart and conquers the trembling lips
in what I say, for 1 address, maybe,
for the last encampment, at the last
supper of this venerable few of that
vast host of three millions of young
men who were my companions through
that long period of strife, my comrades
on the march, in bivouac and battle.
We've staunched each others bleed
ing wound, we've shared each others
broken crust, we've dug the grave and
piled the mound of comrades who nave
long been dust. Within the trench OF
home we'd tell and coupled with
sweetheart's name. but we had fought
and they had fell before the looked
for letters came. When from the grim
and iron jaws, a hundred roaring can
huzzas, told where their coming line
had broke. And then a peace fell out
the sky. the stars shone with a milder
light, no more shall maid for lover
sigh, n or more the bugles call TO fight.
blood brothers we, by right divine;
we've slept the same blankets between,
sighted our guns on the same battle
line and we've drank from the same
canteen.
1.-The great, loving, warm souled,
loyal. generous and mighty state of
Kansas extends to you, Oh venerable
men. a welcome as great as her love
and large as her heart
Program.
The programe for this evening and
tomorrow follows.
Historical Camp Fire in the City
D. m.
Invocation: Rev. John D Knox. To-
peka.
Address: ..The West. It's Place in
American History Comrade John Lee
Webster. President Nebraska Histori-
cal Society, Omaha
Music.
Address: Comrade Edwin c. Mann
ing. President Kansas State Historical
Society. Winfield
Music
Address: Comrade Hon William A
Calderhead. Marysville-
Music: "AuId Lang Syne,' the audi
ence with organ accOmpaninent.