The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1921-11-18

4
AS the casket was lifted from the
hymn were joined by the deep notes
OF the band. The choir sang
1.-THE Son of God Goes Forth to
War" as the telephone amplifiers
caught UP the notes and threw them
out over the land to the thousands
standing as far away as San Fran
cisco.
/ On its simple base, a hundred
yards from where it will lie for all
known rested as though supported
by mountain of blossoms of every
color and kind from nations all over
the world.
AS former President Taft took his
seat, Admiral Beatty appeared sur
rounded by his aides.
: Exactly on time, at 1850 o'clock
President and Mrs. Harding came in
and took their places.
| Pronounced The Invocation.
Almost Immediately afterward the
Marine Band broke forth into the
Star Spangled Banner" the silver
notes echoing' down over the river
valley and up into the arches of the
wooded hills. At the conclusion Of
the anthem Chaplain Axton pro-
nounced the invocation as follows:
Almighty God our gracious father,
In simple faith and trust we seek thy
blessing. Help us fittingly to honor our
unknown soldiers who gavetheir all in
tional common veal Help us to
keep clear the obligation we have
toward all worthy soldiers, living
and dead: that their sacrifices ana
their valor fade not from our mem
DRY. Temper our sorrow. we pray
thee. through the assurance. which
came from the sweetest lips that
ever uttered words, Blessed are
they that mourn for they shall be
Facing the events OF the morrow,
when from the work bench of the
world there will be taken an un,
usual task, we ask that thou wilt
accord exceptional judgment, fore
sight and tactfulness of approach to
those who seek to bring about bet
ter understanding among men and
nations. to the end that discord,
which provokes war, may disappear
guilty. -
Hear US, o, Lord. as now, in obe-
iience to the call of our president
fhere sounds throughout the land the
national angelus sallying to prayer,
and We stand with bowed heads and
reverent hearts in silent thanks for
valuable and valorous lives and In
duplication for divine mercy and
blessing upon our beloved country;
and uron the nations Of the earth;
and to thee. wonderful. counsellor,
prince OF peace, shall be ascribed
all glory and honor forever amen"
| Gathering Bowed In Silence.
| AS the chaplain concluded the in
vocation the sudden, clear note of
the army trumpet call attention"
-4TH ADD IDEAL DAY FOR
MARKED noon and the nationwide
two-minute pause. The whole com
pany stood bowed in silence.
| uhe transmission of this dispatch
was interrupted for two minutes
while all employees Of the Associated
Press stood at attention.)
Ihere was absolute silence, a
hush as IL the world had stopped.
The opening notes of America"
s1gnaled the ending OF the two
minute period and the great chorus
was caught up and swept over the
nils, the thousands outside joining
try.
| Secretary Weeks Presided.
AS the last great note died away
Secretary Weeks stepped to his place
beside the bier for his brief speech
as master OF ceremonies. He asid.
We are gathered, not to mourn the
passing OF great general or other
conspicuous person, but an unknown
soldier OF the republic, who fought
70 sustain a great cause for which
he gave his life. Whether he came
from the north, the south, the east
or the west, we do not know, but
we do know tnat he was a typical
american who responded to his
country's call and that he now
sleeps with the heroes.
We who are gathered here in
such numbers. are simply represen-
tauves OF all the people of the Unit
ed states who are here in spirit
ana whose sentiments have been
than any in the life of our country.
These sentiments can only be 'ade-
quately expressed by one citizen
the president of the United States"
Address BY President.
Immediately afterward President
Harding began delivering his address
"a tribute in the name Of the
american people to the man who
slept beneath the flag. As Mr..
maze and splashed the whole great
gathering with golden light as
though 1t also would lay it's life
giving hand in commentator of the
humble faithful servant at rest.
There was unbroken silence as
the president spoke. -,
AS the president concluded.
clear blue sky spread above the
white bowl. turned up from the green
hMls below. as though It offered a
human tribute Of emotion and high
FEELING to the mystery beyond, into
which the lonely sleeper had gone
forever. 1t was as though all the
solemn words and chords were lifted
up to him there above.
| Dramatic Moment In Address.
There was dramatic moment "a
the president concluded when touch
Ing on the coming conference /,
washington he said 1t should be the
beginning OF better civilization a
more lasting peace, and then ended
his address with recitation of the
LORDS prayer In which the thousands
Joined, their strong, earnest tones
rolling up the pledge of faith to the
sunlight above.
At the conclusion of the PRAYER a
quartet OF singers from the Metropo-
Titan opera house of New York sang
THE Supreme Sacrifice
| AS the voices chanted and those