New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-31

Points Out Lesson.

Points Out Lesson.
whenever a man who Is still trying IN
devote himself to the service Of the nation
comes into n presence like this, or into a
place like this. his spirit must be pecul.
iarly moved. A mandate is laid upon aim
which seems to speak from the very
graves themselves. Those who serve this
nation, whether In peace or in war, should
serve the nation without thought OF
themselves.
Il can never speak In praise Of war.
ladies and gentlemen; you would not de-
sire me to do so. But there is this pecul.
far distinction belonging to the soldier.
that he goes into an enterprise out Of
which he himself cannot get anything at
all. He is giving everything that he hath.
even his life. in order that others may
live. not in order that he himself may
obtain gain and prosperity. And Just %
soon as the tasks Of peace are performed
in the same spirit OF self-sacrifice and
devotion. peace societies will not be nec.S
sary. The very organization OF society
will be a guarantee OF peace.
Therefore, this peculiar thing comes
about--that we can stand here and praise
the memory Of these soldiers in the in
terest OF peace. They set us the example
Of self-sacrifce. which. IL followed In
peace. will make it unnecessary that men
should follow war any more.
1--WE are reputed to be somewhat care
less in our discrimination between words
in the use Of the English language, and
vet IL is interesting TO note that there ara
some words about which we are very
careful. We bestow the adjective great
somewhat indIscriminately. A man who
has made conquest OF his fellow men for
his own gain may display such genus In
war, such uncommon qualities OF organl-
cation leadership. that we may call him
great; but there is a word which we re-
serve for men of another kind. and about
which we are very careful-that is the
word noble
I'VE never call man noble who serves
only himself, and II you will look about
through all the nations OF the world upon
the statues that men have created-upon
the inscribed tablets where they have
wished to keep alive the memory Of the
citizens whom they would most honor
you will find that almost without excep-
ton they have erected the statues 10 those
men who had a splendid surplus of cour-
age to spend upon their fellow men.
Nobility Real Thing.
Mobility exists in America without
patent. We have no House Of Lords. but
we have house OF fame in which We
elevate those who are the noble men OF
our race. who, forgetful OF themselves,
study and serve tho public interest. who
have the courage TO face any number and
any kind Of adversary 10 speak what in
their hearts they believe to be the truth.
I'VE admire physical courage, but we
admire above all things else, moral cour-
age believe that soldiers will bear me
out in saying that both come in time OF
battle. | take il moral courage comes In
going in tile battle, and the physical cour-
age in staying in. And there are battles
which are just as hard to go into and
just as hard to stay in as the battles OF
arms; and II the man will but stay and
think never of himself. there will come a
time OF grateful recollection when men
will speak OF him not only with admira-
ton, but with that which goes deeper.
with affection and with reverence.
80 that this flag calls upon us daily
for service, and the more quiet and self
denying the service, the greater the glory
of the flag. We are dedicated TO freedom.
and that freedom means the freedom OF
the human spirit All free spirits ought
to congregate on an occasion Ike this %
do homage 10 the greatness OF America
as illustrated by the greatness OF her
sons.
1T has been a privilege, ladies and
gentlemen TO come and say these simple
words, which l am sure are merely put
ting your thoughts into language, and
thank you for the opportunity TO lay TINS
little wreath of mine upon these conse-
Grated graves"
Sneaker Clark made a long address.
He declared Robert F.. Lee deserved 10
rank with Sir Philip Sydney and King
Arthur.
THE soldiers of the North and the
soldiers OF the South" said he, were
American freemen all fighting Ike heroes
for what they considered right. and as.
such I honor them and teach my children
to cherish them"
Referring to universal peace the Speak
er said
THE day has not yet arrived when
swords are beaten into plowshares or
spears into pruning hooks; and. Judging
from the facts. which cannot be denied
that era of peace is out Of sight in the
distant future"