The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1917-05-03
THREE GREAT FLAGS
FLOAT OVER TOMB
OF GEO. WASHINGTON
GREAT BRITAIN, FRANCE AND
UNITED STATES RAISE COL.
ORS AT MT, VERNON.
VISITORS PAY HOMAGE TO
AMERICAS GREAT SOLDIER

Eminent Gathering, including Mem.
bers Of British and French War
Commission, Presidents Cabinet
and Members Of Congress, Stand
With Barred Heads In Semi-Circle
Before Tomb Of Nations Founder.
Mount Vernon, Va.-The flags OF
Great Britain, France and the United
States floated proudly together over
the tomb Of George Washington. Be-
meath them, spokesman Of the three
great democracies paid homage to
Americas soldier and statesman, and
pledged themselves, each to the other,
In the name Of the dead, to prosecute
the present mighty struggle against
autocracy on the line he himself had
followed in bringing America into be-
ing.
In groups Of twos and threes, an
eminent gathering, In ncludng the men,
bers OF the French and British war
commission, the Presidents cabinet
and members Of Congress, had stroll
cd up through the sloping grounds
from the river bank until perhaps half
hundred people stood with barred
heads in a semi-circle before the tomb.
The day which had been heavy and
threatening as the party approached on
the Mayflower suddenly burst into
sunlight which played through hhe
trees on the unifroms and faces Of
those assembled.
Without Formally, Secretary Dan
iels motioned to NJ. viviani, minis
ter Of Justice and former president
of France. who advanced slowly into
the center Before the tomb Of Wash
ington whose efforts towards liberty
his own ancestors had gloriously aid
ed. M. Viviana delivered an address
in which the whole forces Of his emo
tional power, deepcncd by the signiii' |
canoe Of tho occasion, fought for OK |
preston.
The spectators. though most Of them
could not understand French, caught
the suppressed feeling and fire of tho 4
orator and followed his words spell
bound as they quick cncd under the
thrill Of his imagaina ion.
his voice not sound could be heard.
AS NJ Viviana imi.aed, the silence
became supreme with the general
realization that no applause could cX-
press tho emotions aroused
Then came forward Arthur James
Balfour. foreign secretary Of Great
Britain, who stood for a moment in
silence a tall. erect, kindly figure !
Overcome with all that the situation
meant in the lives of the two great
Anglo Saxon countries. Mr. BalfOur
abandoned his decision not to speak ;,
and gave expression to a few poignant :,
sentences, evidently straight from the n n
heart England had honored Wash y
tngton as she never had before.
"M Viviani." said Mr.. Balfour. has
expressed in most eloquent words the :.
feelings which grip lis all here today. +,
He has not only paid a fitting tribute
to great statesman, but he has -,
brought our thoughts most yividly i,
down to the present. The thousands
who have given their livcs-French.
Russian. Italian. Belgian, Serbian,
Montcngcrin Roumanian, Japanese
and British we're fighting for what
they believed to be the cause OF lib
erty
"rhere Is no place in the world
where a speech for the cause OF lib
erty would pc better placed than here
at the tomb OF Washington. But as
that work has been so adequately |
done by master OF oratory, perhaps |
you will permit me to read few
words prepared by the British Mission
Tor the wreath we are to leave hero
today:
"'Dedicated by the British Mission
to the immortal memory Of George
Washington. soldier. statesman. pa
triot. who would have rejoiced to see
the country Of which he was by birth
a citizen, and the country which his
genious called into existence. fighting
side by side to save mankind from
eubjection to a military despotism.'
Governor Stuart of Virginia spoke
as the host on VirEinian soil.
washington" he said. "originally
belonged to Virginia but his priceless
memory has now become common
heritage OF the world, We consecrate
here today struggle bearing the SUI
preme test OF the issues for which he
lived, fought and died"
Marshal Joffre, victor Of the Marne
and idol Of the French people, next
came forward In field marshaia uni.
form. Simply, but earnestly, he spoke
but two brief sentences:
"In the French army, all venerate
the name and memory Of Washington.
I respectfully salute here tho great
soldier and lay upon his tomb the
o., u, we offer OH soldiers wh3 have
died for their country