Pueblo chieftain., 1921-11-12
HARD|NG's ADDRESS
At HERO'S BUR Al

| NJ nlllU U UUIJ nj
Washington, Nov. 1.-THE text of
President Harding's address at the
burial of an unknown soldier at Arl-
ington cemetery follows:
Mr.. Secretary of War and ladies' and
gentlemen:
We are met today to pay the imper-
sonal tribute. The name of him whose
body lies before us took flight with
his imperishable soul. We know not
whence he came. but only that mis-
death marks him with the everlasting
glory of an American dying for his
country.
He might have come from any one OF
millions OF American homes. Some
mother gave him in her love and ten
derness and her most cherished hopes.
Hundreds OF mothers are wondering
today. findiag a touch of solace in the
possibility that the nation bows in
grief over the body of one she bore to
live and die. II need be, for the re-
public. II we give rein to fancy
score OF sympathetic chords are
touched for in this body there once
glowed the soul of an American with
&he aspirations and ambitions OF
citizen who cherished life and its OPP
portunities. He may have been ma
tive or adopted son; that matters
little. because they glorified the same
loyalty, they sacrificed alike.
We do not know his station in life.
because from every station came the
patriotic response OF the five millions
l recall the days of creating armies
and the departing of caravans which
braved the murderous seas to res
the battle lines for maintained nation
ality and preserved civilization.
The service flag marked mansion and
cottage alike and riches were common
in all homes in the consciousness OF
service to country.
We do not know the emincnce OF
birth. but we do know the glory OF his
death. He died for his country and
greater devotion hath no man than
this. He died unquestioning. uncom-
planning with faith in his heart and
hope on his lips. that his country
should triumph and its civilization sur
vive. As a typical soldier OF this rep
resentative democracy he fought and
died. believing In the indisputable
Justice OF his country's cause. Con-
scious OF the worlds upheaval. ap-
praising the magnitude of war the
like of which had never Mortified hu-
manity before, perhaps he believed his
to be service destined TO change the
tide of human affairs.
In the death gloom of gas. the burst
ing shells and the rain of bullets men
faced more Intimately the great God
over all their souls aflame and con-
sciousness expands and hearts are
searched. With the din of battle, the
glow of conflict and the supreme trial
OF courage come involuntarily the
hurried appraisal OF life and the con-
temptation OF deaths great mystery.
on the threshold of eternity many
soldier. | can we'll believe. wondered
how his ebbing blood would color the
Stream OF human life, flowing on after
his sacrifice. His patriotism was none
less II he craved more than triumph
of country. rather 1t was greater IL he
hoped for victory for all human kind.
Indeed. | revere that citizen whose
confidence In the Righteousness OF his
country inspired belief that its triumph
* the victory OF humanity.
This American soldier went forth
to battle with no hatred for any peo-
pie in, the world, but hating war and
hating the purpose of. every war for
conquest. re cherished our national
rights and abhorred the threat of
armed domination. and in the mael-
strom OF destruction and suffering and
death he fired his shot for liberation
OF the captive conscience of the world.
In advancing toward his objective was
some where n thought of world
awakened: and we are here to testify
undyinR gratitude and reverence for
thnt thought of wider freedom.
ON such an occasion as this. am
such a scene, our thoughts alternated
between defenders living and defend
ers dead. a grateful republic will be
worthy OF them both. Our part Is to
atone for the losses of heroic dead by
making a better republic for the liv-
ing.
Sleeping in these hallowed grounds
are thousands of Americans who have
given their blood for the baptism OF
freedom md its maintenance, armed
exponents of the nations conscience.
1t is better and nobler for their deeds.
Burial here Is rather more than a sign
of the governments favor. 1t is sug-
gestion of a tomb In the heart Of the
nation sorrowing for its noble dead.
Today's ceremonies proclaim that
the hero unknown Is not uu-honorcd.
We gather him 70 the nations breast.
within the shadow OF the capitol, of
the towering shaft that honors WASH
inton. the great father. and of the
exquisite monument to Lincoln. the
martyred savior. Here the inspira-
tions of yesterday and the conscience
of today forever unite to make the re-
public worthy of his death for flag
and country.
ours are lofty resolutions today. rs
with tribuA to the dead we cuusccratc