The farmer and mechanic., 1915-10-19

/ me brave men whose sacrifice
areafed. enlarged, defended and pre-
kervcd forever the union of states
kround was broken on the first day
I, March of the present year Today
q, AXE the next step, in the conf
a nee that it may soon stand COM
3rlate as the stately structure which
National generosity has conceived. 1t
is a substantial symbol, expressive of
Inc national appreciation of Valor. 1t
liz q recognition of the grand demo-
cr3cs- of the dead. It's prime purpose
is that the memory of the least of
those who lay down life for love of |
country may be saved from oblivion.
MAY the day never dawn when |
highest genius and the acme of art |
are not dedicate to the task of awak-
ing from sleeping marble the heroic |
figure Of the Citizen Soldier, or Of |
symbolizing in massive stone the
rouatry's gratitude to her defenders |
May the day never come when the
deeds Of our national heroes shall not
b. voiced by the eloquence of men
or their graves be wet by the tears Of
women We are laying the corner
stone of a Memorial Amphitheatre in
their honor. t,sto perpetua. Per-
pctual too. the national spirit that
brings annually on pilgrimage to this
spot the national consciousness and
the national conscience. Here is the
heart Of the Republic. SO long as the
Republic lives. it's heart will beat
faster and its soul thrill with finer
rapture on this sacred spot.
The authorization of this Memorial
to Valor is the latest refutation of the
oft-repeated statement that Re
pubiics are ungrateful." Al the dedi-
cation Of the Washington Monument,
the shadow Of whose obelisk falls
upon us today. the great Senator who
was chairman Of the building COM
mission called it 1.-The most imposing
testimonial of nations gratitude"
and invited attention to the fact that
1T rises higher into the sky than any
work of human art. That memorial
was to the individual who incarnated
the martial spirit Of the Revolution
This memorial does honor alike to the
sublime leader and the humble soldier
whose life was as dear to him as the
life Of the founder Of this govern
nent of the free.
A Republic has no supreme head
who chooses certain persons to reward
for service to the state. Experience
has taught that selection by the man
who rules without the consent OF the
governed is as often controlled by
favoritism as by merit. In a republic
the rewards prompted by gratitude
are bestowed by public opinion, the
final arbiter In government by the
people. From the day Washington
was called from military chieftain te
the unbroken line Of distinction and
honors bestowed gladly and freel,
upon those who have placed theil
lives In jeopardy to serve their fel
lows. No gratitude is worthy thu
name which Is not spontaneous. hearty
and generous. Gratitude cannot bt
command, it cannot be measured. l
keeps no books and knows no debi
or credit. 1t is poured forth freel!
and it's worthy recipient is overwhelm
ed. as the peoples appreciation i
showered upon him, with the feeling
that he has not deserved the low
he has garnered.
II anyone among us chcrishes tn
dcusion that the American Republi
is wanting in gratitude, let him lool
about him and behold the stated
monuments erected to CONNER emorat
the heroism Of soldier and sailor Il
our national capital. in state capitals
Ill towns and in cities, from ocean I
ocean. Who can point to a battle
FIELD in America where courage shon
| without finding that a grateful peopl
have commemorated the dead? l
Washington alone gratitude for mill
lary leadership mas Deen SHOWN
monuments to soldiers and sailors, nc
only to Americans. but to such patriot
across the seas as Lafayette, vO
Steuben, Pulaski, KosciuskiO an
Rochambeau. who came to thes
shores to unsheathe their swords Il
american independence. Their VI
selfish mission was to give aid
establishing in the new world a go'
ernment founded upon righteOusne:
and not upon force. In Washlngto
also rise shaft and statute to con
mcmorate the sacrifice of our ow
soldiers and sailors Washingto
jackson, Rawlins, Scott, Greene, M
Pherson. Thomas, Grant. Hancoc
Logan Pike, Sherman, Sheridan az
Mcclellan, Of the army, and Farrasu
DUPONT, Barry and john Paul Jon
OF the navy-illustrious names tn
shine as stars in our national flrm
inent. Other monuments. not to i