The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-11


and reverence for that thought of a wider
freedom.
Republic Must Be Worthy.
On such an occasion as this. amid such
grateful republic will be worthy of them
OSfR Gu6 parb rs % atsne I9F me 19sSes
for the living.
sleeping in these hallowed grounds are
thousands of ASaaricans who have given
their blood for tie baptism of freedom
and its maintenance, armed opponents of
the nations conscience. 1t is better and
nObler for their deeds. Burial here is
rather more than Il sign Of the govern
ments favor, it is n suggestion of a tomb
in the heart Of the nation, sorrowing for
it's noble dead.
'TOday's ceremonies proclaim that the
hero unknown Is not unhOnored.
We gather him to the nations breast,
within the shadow of the capitol, of the
towering shaft that honors Washington,
the great father and OF the exquisite monu-
the inspirations of yesterday and the con
science of today forever unite to make the
republic worthy of his death for flag and
country
Must Consecrate Ourselves
ours are lofty resolutions today, as
with the tribute to the dead we consecrate
With all my heart, 1 wish we might say
to the defenders who survey, 10 mothers
who sorrow, to widows and children who
mourn, that no such sacrifice shall be
1t was my fortune recently to see a
demonstration of modern warfare. 1t is
no longer n conflict in chiyalry, no more
test Of militant manhood. 1t is only
cruel, deliberate. scientific destruction.
There was no contending enemy, only the
theoretical defense Of hypothetic obtee-
tive. But the attack was made with all
the relentless methods of modern destruc-
ton There was the rain of ruin from
the aircraft. the thunder Of artillery. fol-
lowed by the unspeakable devastation
wrought by bursting shells; there were
mortars belching their bombs of desola-
ton; machine guns concentrating their
ieaden storms: there was the infantry,
advancing, firing and falling-like men
with souls sacrificing for the decision.
The flying missiles were revealed by H.
Eliminating tracers, so that we could note
| their flight and appraise their deadliness.
The air was streaked with tiny flames
marking the flight of massed destruction :;
while the effectiveness of the theoretical
defense, was impressed by the stimulation
OF dead and wounded among those going
forward. undaunted and unheeding. As
this panorama of unutterabie destruction
yisualized the horrors Of modern con-
flict, there grew on me the sense Of the
failure of civilization which can leave its
problems to such cruel arbftrament. Surely
and full appraisal of the patriotic 10y
atty of his countFYmen, could ask the
manhood OF Kingdom. empire or republic
| to make such sacrifice until all reason
had failed, until appeal to justice thru
understanding had been denied, until every
effort Of love and consideration for fellow
men had been exhausted until freedom
itself and inviolate honor had been brutaHy
threatened.
He Is Not Pacfffst.
81 speak not as a pacifist fearing war.
but as one who loves justice and hates
| war. speak as one who believes the
| highest function Of government is to give
| its citizens the security Of peace. the OPP
portunfty to achieve and the pursuit of
| happiness.
THE Hottest tribute we can bestow to-
| day-the heroieally earned tribute
fashioned in deliberate conviction, out of
unclouded thought, neither Swallowed by
rem0rse aor made vain by fancies, is the
commitment of this republic to an ad-
vaneement never made before If American
achievement is a cherished pride at home,
| il our unselfishness among nations is all
we wish it to be and ours is helpful exam
pie in the world, then let us give of our
| influence and strength, yea, of our aspira-
tions and convictions. to put mankind on
little higher plane. exulting and exaltinE,
with wars distressing and depressing trag-
edtss barred from the stage OF righteous
| civilization.
There have been a thousand defenxes
Justly and patriotically made: a thousand
orfenses which reason and Righteousness
ought to have stayed. Let us beseech all
men TO join us in seeking the rule under
! which reason and righteousness shall pre-
vail
Lords Prayer in Conclusion
Standing today on haIlowed ground, con