The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-04-30
French and English War Mis-
sions Place Wreath on Tomb
of American Chieftain
AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE
EXALTED BY M. VIVIANI
Governor Henry c. Stuart De-
clares Virginia Is Proud of
Being the Mother of Wash
lngton
BY GEORGE II HOLMES.

Washington, April 29.-Frcnch
and British hands reached across
the sea this afternoon and locked
with those OF America over the
grave of George Washing ton at
Mount Vernon, The three great
democracics of the world united
in pilgrimage of love and re-
spcsr to the shrine OF the man
who made democracy possible.
Attended by ceremonies that
were magnificent in their simpli-
city, the, French and British war
missions. on behalf of their gov
ernments. placed memorial
Wrcaths en- the tomb of the great
AMERICAN, which forever will
serve a. reminder to the Amer
lean people of the deep respect
and admiration which they hold
for the father of America
There was none of the pomp
and show that usually attends
such an n~scmblagc OF notables
Ia gathered on the little knoll
overlooking the Potomac today.
With the exception of President
wilson himself. every high oiti-
ciaI OF tIc government was tbcYe
cabinet officers. army and navy
heads and Representatives of con-
greSs. The entire personnel or
both visiting war missions, the
British led by Foreign Minister
Arthur j. Balfour and Lieutenant
General Bridges, the French by
Rene Ni,iani, minister of Justice,
and the beloved Marshal JofYre,
were present.
Tears stood in the eyes of those
assembled about the shrine as NJ.
NiyiaDi, in words OF burning emo
ton. exalted the American people.
He spoke in French. Few stand
ing there with barred heads UNDER
stood the words, but there was no
mistaking the spirit of the French
statesman. Tears unhindcred
rolled down his own cheeks a. he
finished.
Pays Tribute to Hero.
NJ. Nivianl said.
I'VE could not remain longer II
Washington without accom- piishins
his pious pilgrimage. In this spo
les all that Is mortal of a great hero
close by this spot is the modes
bode whore Washington rested afte
he tremendous labor OF achieving 70
IdtIt4l It's tIil1H&lI0tiDIl. III I'M
spot meet the admiration of the
whole world and the veneration o
he American people. In this spot ris,
before us the glorious memories lef
by the soldiers of France. led b,
Rochambeau and Lafayette: a descen
liant OF tho latter, nay friend, NJ. d,
Nhambrun, accompanies us. And
'steem it "A supreme honor as wei
Is a satisfaction for my conscienc,
o he entitled 10 render this homag,
o our ancestors in the presence o
ny colleague and friend MIR. Bal
four. who SO nobly represents hi.
treat nation. BY thus coming to la,
lere the respectful tribute of ever,
english mind, he shows, in this his
oric moment of communion which
france has willed. what nations tina
i've for liberty can do. When w.
contemplate in the distant past tn.
luminous presence OF Washington. II
,earer times the majestic figure o
abraham Lincoln: when we respect
ully salute President Wilson. tn,
worthy heir of these great memories
We at one glance measure the vas
areer Of the American people. T
$ because the American people pro
Iaimd and won for the nation tn.
light to govern itself: ii is becaus,
proclaimed and won the eqGaiit,
# all men. that the free American
people, at the hour marked by fate
lave been enabled with commanding
orce To carry their action beyond tn,
cas-: it is because it was resolved Il
'xtend it's action still further tina
congress was enabled to obtain. with
ng the space of few days, the vot.
al 81
'ecessity for national army in this
uIl splendor of civil peace. In IN,
lame of France, ! salute the younf
rmy which will share in our com
non glory,
Greetings of French Republic.
while paving this supreme tribute
o the memory of Washington, ao
lot diminish the effect of my word.
when turn my thoughts to the
memory of so many unnamed heroes
ask you before this tomb to bow
n earnest meditation and all the
ervor of piety before all the soldiers
# the allied nations for nearly three
ears have been lighting under dit.
erent flags for the same ideal. / hes
'ou to address the homage OF your
hearts and souls to all the heroes
'orn to live in happiness, in the tran
luii pursuit of their occupations who
vent into battle with viriie cheerful
less and gave themselves up, not ia
leath alone, but the eternal silence
hat closes over those whose sacri-
Ice remains UNNAMED. In the full
that. save for those Who
owed them. their names would dis
appear with their bodies. Their
IL In our hearts. Not IN
wing aloha erect N Hare. ia enNa6G