Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-06-04
HERO|SM RECALLED
AS TRIBUTE IS PAID
CONFEDERATEDEAD


war. To preserve that Constitution these
soldiers in gray. here at our feet, died;
to preserve it those men in blue over
there died. There has been more blood
shed. and more treasure expended. for
that instrument. than for any and all
the charters of government that ever
were written. 1t was ordained 10 years
ago There have been but six amend
ments to it, and three of those were in
cident to our war. That our Union I'M
der it is to be perpetual this monument
we unveil today Is token. But today
there are pending, in the name OF prog
ress in yonder Capitol, over seventy
propositions to amend that old Constitu-
tion-seventy efforts to modify or elimi-
nate some one or more Of those munl-
ments of life, liberty or property Whlch
have stood guard over the American
people while they were working out lnelr
wonderful prosperity. God save the Con-
stitution'
Eulogizes the Dead.
In accepting the monument from Col.
Herbert and in turn conveying It to the
President Of the nation, Mrs. Stevens
emotionaIly eulogized tho Confederate
dead asleep within the shadow OF the
home Of Lee. in sight Of the dome OF the
Capitol of their fathers. above them the
flag they fought. floating not In 1eenng
triumph but in loving protection.
She said in part:
LAS President General United Daush-
tiers Of the Confederacy I would express
for our organization the deep gratitude to
the Arlington Confederacy Monument AS
socia ton Of the United Daughters Of the
Confederacy for the untiring efforts in
harmonious love to give for use to the
nation this exquisitely magnificent monu-
ment, wrought by our own, the south's
greatest sculptor. Sir Moses Ezekiel.
'Col. Herbert, in receiving this monu-
ment from your hands am not unmind-
full of the labor Of love that has been
yours, and must needs breathe prayer
to the great God that the sunset rays of
the evening of life have heightened out
your blessed days that you may praise
with US.
Seven Years of Toll.
To-day marks the completion of our
seven years of patriotic toll Ours Is
the rapture born of duty done. of hope
deferred but at last fulfilled. We present
today this monument in memory Of our
Confederate dead, though they need no
pyramid to lift them to the ages.
I'VE of the south are willing to be
judged by the honors we accord today.
Strange as it may seem, the great mass
of soldiers in both armies of the war
ideals. Thus our war presents the unique
spectacle of men fighting in opposite
ranks for ideals with like courage and
persistence.
LAS they fought for the same ideals,
as they each displayed courage, as they
won immortality of fame, Is it not well
that their dust is laid side by side under
the same nag? Is it not well that today
their sons and grandsons are wearing the
same uniform. fighting for their fathers
form Of government and their ideals? Is
it not well that the representatives of the
survivors Of both armies are with us here
today? Is it not well that there comes
from the White House President, south
ern by birth and breeding and northern
by choice of residence and training?
And now, Mr.. President, I surrender
this monument into your keeping, and
through you to that OF the nation.
Yours, Mr.. President. was Jefferson's
spirit when at Mobile you said the United
States had no interest in Mexico or any
other foreign lands except to see that
the citizens enjoyed the right to the pur-
suit of happiness under a constitutional
and just government AS long as the
government shall rest in your hands and
hands like yours, we feel sure American
institutions will not pass from the earth,
and that this monument will be not only
a memorial of the past, but a symbol Of
the present and future"