The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-25
MEMORIAL HALL.

With a war between Mexico ana tne
United States almost certainty, anu
with military and naval demonstra-
ton already in progress that savors OF
war in every detail. the minds OF most
people undoubtedly turn to the otner
wars that have clouded, only 10
brighten, the pages of American MIS-
tory. And the one that memories are
likely to dwell on first and longest -
the great Civil War. the struggle for
a principle of friend against friend
and brother against brother. 1t was
one of the most terrible wars that the
world has ever known, and Tor the
very simple reason that the men VINO
fought against each other were OF the
same race, equally matched az to brain
and Drawn, almost. indeed. from the
same parent stock. But out OF that
bloody and horrible conflict, and as Its
result. there has grown nation that
is the marvel of all time.
Kansas played her part in that war
with honor and distinction. And the
Kansas boys who came home from 1t
with the soldiers who went into 1t
from other states. and then flocked
hitherward, are responsible In the
main for the glory Of the righteous cit
izenship and the stability and grand
eur of the institutions that Kansas has
since achieved. The development,
rather the creation of the Kansas of
today Is the work of the citizen-sol-
diers of '61-'65. Nor has Kansas for
gotten them.
Within a month there will be dedi-
Gated to their memory in this city an
enduring monument of SURPRISING sig
nificance. In the Memorial Hall.
Kansas raises a tribute that Is worthy
| in every way of the men and the cause
for which they fought. Its magnifi-
cence Of structure is unchallenged. But
even more essential than that 10 its
| utility. Beauty, in whatever form It
takes. always attracts the homage
that is it's due. But beauty and use
fulness-that is the rare combination
which wins unstinted admiration. And
never was 1t more brilliantly con-
ceived than in the Memorial Hall OF
Kansas. 1t is 80 typical of the gallant
men it honors, their services and their
success not only on the battlefields,
but also in the battle of life which
often tests mems souls as severely al
does a conflict at arms, though in q
different way.
The dedication of this building and
its conservation to the service of the
people Of the state promises to be Q
memorable event in the history OF
Kansas. The ranks OF the veterans
whose valor and deeds in war and
peace are thus to be commemorateC
as long as Kansas shall endure. are
thinning fast. But there IL a goodl!
company of them left, thank God, and
that they will have the opportunity t.
see the monument that their children
and their childrens friends have
erected to their memory makes thu
event all the more timely and pleasing
/ No efforts should be spared to max,
these dedication ceremonies the larg
est affair Of its kind that has eve
been witnessed in Kansas. And non
likely will be. 1t is a golden oppor
tunity for the people of the who'll
state to assemble together and by thei
presence. as well as by the priceless
monument they have set up, to testif,
to their appreciation Of the service
that have been rendered by the Boy
in Blue not only to the nation but ais
to the state of Kansas.