Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-31
Praises SeIf-Sacrifice of Men
Who Gave Lives in SAVING
of the Union.
STINGS ARE REMOVED
IN FIGHTERS LIFETIME
Speaker Clark Receives Ovation From
Arlington Cemetery Gathering
at Memorial Exercises.

President Wilson and Speaker Clark for
the first time spoke from the same plat
form yesterday. They addressed the Me-
mortal day congregation in the amphi-
theater at Arlington cemetery
Neither was named in the printed pro-
gram. The President rescinded a previous
refusal to be present The Speaker ac-
cepted by telegram Friday night the in
vitatfon of the G. A r. committee In
charge of the exercises.
The President had not expected to par
ticipate. but believing that a false con-
struction had been placed upon his dec
lination. decided yesterday to speak Be-
fore the Presidents decision had been
communicated to those in charge they
had invited Speaker Clark to make the
address Of the day. and he had come
from Atlantic City for this purpose.
President Wilson was applauded as he
entered the vine-clad amphitheater in
which the exercises were held and again
when DR.. J. K. Gleeson. the commander
OF the Department Of the Potomac, Grand
Army of aae Republic, presented him to
the great audience. made up chiefly of
members of patriotic societies who car
ried their flags and wore the insignia
OF 1nelf Of0erS.
Have Hall of Fame.
Mobility exists in America without
patent said the President in the course
Of his address I'VE have no house of
lords, but we have a hall of fame In
which we elevate those who are noble
men Of our race. who. forgetful of them
selves, study and serve the public IN
terests."
Dr. Gleeson. master of ceremonies. in.
Producing the President, merely said
THE President of the United States will
now address you.''
Speaker Clark was introduced by Dr.
Gleeson with eulogy and at much length.
Taking his text from the President s
speech, DIR. Gleeson presented the Speaker
as one who answered to the President S
description Of ''nobleman."
Speaker Clark was cheered and applaud
ed His speech vas an elaborate Grafton.
Reed Smoot. senator from Utah, was the
formally announced orator Of the day. He
contended. in delivering his speech. with
the patter of rain and the roll of trun-
der. while raindrops, falling through the
canvas covering the ampitheater, soaked
the typewriter manuscript from which
he read. At the same time the audience.
fearful Of the weather, thinned out half.
Bows to the Speaker.
The President bowed to Speaker Clark
and received acknowledgment After Sen
ator Smoot had finished his address the
President shook hands with him and fe-
licitated him upon his expressions Of va
tiotism
Speaker Clark, with Mrs. Clark, hurried
away as soon as he had delivered his ad-
dress. The President remained through
out the exercises and drove away in the
rain. For time former Representative
Lafayette Pence had an adjoining seat on
the platform.
John McElroy. former commander of
the Department Of the Potomac and ed
itor of the G. A. r. organ, moved to a
seat next to the President in the course
of the exercises. 1t was Col McElroy
who held an umbrella over the President
to protect him from the rain that drip
ped through the canvas.
The 9TH Cavalry Band played Nearer
My God. to Thee" In subdued voices
hymn, in which the President joined
He also recited the Lords Prayer, which
was led by the department chaplain
Rev. M. NJ. Holmes.
Refers to Situation,
1--WE hope that In the future. as they
have not today. the leaders Of the ma
ton will not forget to participate In hon.
oring the nations heroes" was a reflex
comment on the situation expressed by
Commander Gleeson in the course of his
remarks, in the early part Of the exer-
cises.
A change in the personnel of the audi
ence from previous Memorial day assem-
blies in Arlington cemetery was notice.
able. Old soldiers. clad in blue, and
with soft hats trimmed with the gold
cord. and breasts decorated with medals.
were there, but in fewer numbers. Their
sons and daughters and grandchildren
had taken the places of many, compris-
ing the greater part of the congregation.
Commander Gleeson called attention to
the. fact that new amphitheater. to
cost $3.50. 900. is to be erected at Arling-
ton by consent of Congress. He said it
is hoped that ground will be broken
about July !. and that the structure will
be &C cLmpete in twenty months. Congress
has been asked to appropriate $3.50, 900 to
start construction. Judge Ivory G. Kim
ball, former department commander, was
given credit for accomplishing legisla-
tion for the project.
A silent salute to the dead, in accord
ance with the Grand Army of the Re
public's ritual, was called for by Com
| mander Gleeson The audience stood,
left hands upon hearts and right hands
| raised toward the heavens. This pos
| ture was maintained for a minute.
The President said:
II have not come here today with a
prepared address. The committee in
charge of the exercises of the day have
graciouAy excused me on the grounds
of public obligations from preparing
| such an address. but I will not deny
| myself the privilege of joining with you
| in an expression of gratitude and admira-
ton for the men who perished for the
sake of the Union. They do not need
our praise. They do not need that our
| admiration should sustain them. There
is no Immortality that is safer than
| theirs. We come not for their sakes, but
| for our own. in order that we may drink
at the same springs of inspiration from
which they themselves drank.
Had Peculiar Privilege.
"A peculiar privilege came to the men
who fought for the Union. There is nc
other civil war in history. ladies and gen.
tlemen, the stings of which were re.
moved before the men who did the fight.
ing passed from the stage of life Sc
that We owe these men something more
| than a legal re-establishment Of the
Union. We owe them the spiritual re.
| eSf "a bliahrnent of the IJniop. for tbax, :. -,