The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-05-24
HARDING PLACES
WREATH ON CASKET:
AND PAYS TRIBUTE
TO DEAD HEROES

New York, May 24.-ln his Hoboken
address, delivered here Monday. Presi-
dent Harding said
There grows on me the realization
of the unusual character of the occa-
sion. This republic has been at war
before. 1t has asked and received the
supreme sacrifices of its sons and
daughters and faith in America has
been justified. Many sons and daugh.
ters made the hallowed graves as the
nations defenders. We never before
sent so many to battle under the flag
in foreign lands, never before was there
the impressive spectacle of thousands
of dead returned to find eternal resting
place in the beloved homeland. The
incident is without any parallel in his
tory that | know.
These dead know nothing of oui
ceremony today. They sense moth
ing of the sentiment or tender
ness which brings their wasted
bodies to the homeland for burial,
close to kin and friends, and cherished
associations. These poor bodies are
but the clay tenements once possess
ed of souls which famed in patriotic
devotion, lighted new hopes on the bat
tie grounds of civilization. and ih
their sacrifices sped on to accuse au.
tocracy before the court of eternal jus
tce.
I'VE are not meant for them though
we love and honor and speak a crate.
full tribute 1t would be futile to speak
10 those who do not hear. or to sor.
row for those who cannot sense it, OF
to syalt those who cannot know but
we can speak for country, we can reach
t hose who sorrow and sacrificed
through their service, who suffered
through their giving, who glory with
the republic through their heroic ache.
vements, who rejoice in the civilization
their heroism preserved.
Every funeral, every memorial
every tribute is for the living-an Of
fering in comparison Of sorrow. When
the light of light goes out there is
new radiance in eternity and some.
how. the CLAW of it relieves the dark
ness which is left behind.
Never death, but somewhere
new life, never a sacrifice. but some
where an atonement. never service
but somewhere and somehow an
achievement These had served, which
is the supreme inspiration in living
They have earned everlasting gratitude,
which is the supreme solace in dying.
mo one may measure the vast and
various affection and sorrows center
ing in this. The priceless cargo OF
bodies-once living, fighting. sacrific- |
ing and dying for the republic Ones |
words fail, his understanding is halted |
his emotions are stirred beyond con.
troll when contemplating these thous
ands of beloved dead l find a humid |
red thousand sorrows touching my
heart, and there is ringing in my ears
like an admonition eternal, an insis-
tent call. 1T must not be again. 1t .
must not be again God grant that IL .
will not be, and let a practical people /
join in cooperation with God to the
end that il shall not be
II would not wish a nation for which
men are not willing to fight, and II
need be to die but | do wish for a
nation where II is not necessary to ask
for that sacrifice ! do not pretend that
mllenial days have come. but | car
believe in the possibility of nation
being 20 righteous as never TO make
a war Of conquest and nation so
powerful in righteousness that none
will dare invoke her wrath. / wish
for us such an America.
These heroes were sacrificed in the
supreme conflict OF all human history.
They saw democracy challenged and