The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-11
nHnDlIsU IVTLEDUE
SOIemnly Assures Nation War
Sacrifice Not in Vain.
Pays Highest Tribute to the
Nations Dead.
LEADS MULTITUDE IN PRAYER
Unknown Hero Died for Great
Ideal of Nation.
America COnsecrated to Put
Civilization on High Plane.
LEADS MULTITUDE IN PRAYER

i Amphitheater, Arlington, Va, Nov.
lion this hallowed ground, where
rest Americas heroic dead, President
Harding today gave solemn promise
to the nation and to the world that
the sacrifice of the millions dead
shall not be in vain
There must be. there shall be, the
commanding voice of a conscious civil
ization against armed warfare" the
president said. He spoke across the
flag draped bier of the unknown SOL
dier buried here with regal honors,
not alone to the representatives of
Americas people, but to the highest
emissaries of the worlds greatest
powers, gathered here on the eve of
the conference called to stem the tide
of future wars.
"To the defenders who survive, to
| mothers who sorrow, to widows, and
children. who mourn the president
voiced the prayer, that no such sacri-
flee shall be asked again
Led Multitude in Prayer.
As tho looking into the faces of the
coura geous dead, the presidents eyes
swept across the slopes where multi
tudes of tiny headstones rose in num-
berless rows and echoed in the pray
ers of all people that this Armistice
day shall mark the beginning of
new and lasting era of peace on earth,
good will among men.
'T speak not as a pacifist fearing
war; the president said, but as one
who loves justice and hates war. 1
speak as one who believes the highest
function of government is to give its
citizens the security of peace, the
opportunity to achieve, and the pur-
suit of happiness"
Bowing his head above the bier of
the unnamed hero. the chief executive
led the distinguished assemblage in
the simple supplication of the Lord s
prayer.
The presidents address in full fol-
Mr.: Secretary of War and Ladies and Gen
tlemen
1--WE are met today to pay the imper-
sona1 tribute. The name of him whose
body lies before US took flight with his
i imperishable soul. We know not whence
he came but only that death marks him
with the everlasting glory of an American
dying for his. country.
millions of American homes. Some mother
gave him in her love and tenderness and
with him her most cherished hopes. Hun
dreds of mothers are wondering today,
finding touch of solace in the possibility
that the nation bows in grief over the
body of one she bore to live and die, If
need be for the republic.
'If we give rein to fancy, score of
sympathetic chords are touched, for in
this body there once glowed the soul or
an American with the aspirations and am
bitions of a citizen who cherished life
and its opportunities. He may have been
a native or an adopted son; that matters
little, because they glorified the same 10y
atty, they sacrificed alike.
We do not know his station In life,
because from every station came the Ra-
triOttc response of the five millions l
recall the days Of creating armies and
departing of caravels which braved the
murderous seas to reach the battle lines
for maintained nationality ana preserved
civilization. The service flag marked man
sion and cottage alike and riches were
common to all homes in the consciousness
Of the service to country.
We do not know the eminence OF hlG
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, uncomplainfng: with faith
in his heart and hope on his lips, that
his country should triumph and its civil
izattOn survive. AS a typical soldier of
this representative democracy, he fought
justice Of his country's cause. Conscious
Of the worlds upheaval appraising the
magnitude Of a war the like OF when had
never Mortified humanity before, perhaps
he believed his to be a service destined
to change the tide of human affairs.
Their Souls Aname.
''In the death gloom of gas, the burst
ing Of shells and rain of bullets. men
face more intimately the great God over
all, their souls are aflame and conscious
ness expands and hearts are searched
With the din of battle, the glow of CON
fhct and the supreme trial of courage
come tnvoluntarily the hurried appraisal
of life and the contemplation of death's
great mystery. On the threshold of eter-
nifty, many Il soldier. I can we'll believe
wondered how his ebbing blood would col
or the stream of human life, flowing on
after his sacrifice. His patriotism was
none less If he craved more than triumph
of country; rather. it was greater if he
hoped for a victory for all human kind.
Indeed, I revere that citizen whose con-
fidence in the righteousness OF his coun-
try inspired belief that its triumph is
the victory of humanity.
This American soldier went forth to bat
tie with no hatred for any people in the
world, but hating war and hating the pur-
pose of every war for conquest. He
cherished our national rights and abhorred
the threat Of armed domination; and in
the maelstrom 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 thought of q world awakened; and
we are here to testify undying gratitude
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