New-York tribune., 1921-10-04
America Joins
I'm Tribute to
Dante Aligghierii g i
Hughes Presides at Meeting
in Washington Marking
6OOth Anniversary Of
Death of Italian Poet
Homage Paid by Harding
President, in Letter. Asserts
Mankind Owes Debt to
Him for Ideals He Set

WASHINGTON. Oct 3.-The 60Oth
anniversary Of the death o. Dante
Ailgflcri vas commemorated tonight
At exercises in the auditorium of the
National Museum. presided over bv
Secretary Of State Hughes, who said
of the great Italian, "He is ours as we'll
as Italy's."
A letter was read from President
Harding, who was unable to attend
Speakers included Guido Sabetta. Coun-
selor of the Italian Embassy. and Pro-
fessor Charles II. Grandgent, Of Har.
ward University.
1T is we'll to turn back 600 Years.
Secretary Hughes said, 'to learn orce
more The lesson that moral supremacy
Is the only one that leaves monuments
and not ruins behind it,
Scholar, Patriot, Poe."
Dante embodied all the knowledse
and culture Of his time lie said. "He
was scholar, patriot and poet, but his
distinction transccnds his age ard be-
comes more impressive as the centuries
pass. He is universal because
lie is the poet Of the Christian faith.
and with the ideals Of that faith he
wrote the epic OF the human soul,
Dante, with matchless power
'aught the lesson OF faiths victory, Of
the soul triumphant, Of the strength
"nlch alone gives the mastery Of life
and cannot know defeat"
President Harding in his lettev said
My dear Mr.. Secretary:
Il wish you would be good enoupb 4o
express my regrets to the gathering at
tie National Museum on Monday nigh.
or the memorial of the sin hundrodtn
annlversary of the death Of Dante
Alighieri
Had it been possible would have
been present. and would have found
much satisfaction in paying my own
poor tribute, among the others, to the
memory Of one Of the few men who
have approached nearest to touch with
divinity.
"ln arms. in his great thoughts. in
ms noble moral conceptions he was
ever rebel against wrong, oppression
ard error. His lifetime of suffering
and prlvation produced. because the
ire OF his genius was beyond ouench-
"Ni..9 i4l iAAdiS realms WNlGN DI3Ce
him among the foremost of mankind's
benefactors. Probably no other in his
tory so nearly as he deserves credit
1or creating at once national liter
ature and national spirit in great
but oppressed people. To him, think,
the glories of modern Italian art and
literature and the unity and power Of
the Italian people may be esteemed
twin monuments
ut is d justification for rejoicing
mat his anniversary is being so wide
~ and so understandings commend
rated IN our own country this year.
Though he was privileged to see in his
lifetime little realization Of his aspi
ratlons, yet we cannot believe that so
noble soul will have been denied
the satisfaction Of knowing at last
that men realize their universal debt
to HIM. So it is altogether fitting that
not only those OF Italian descent but
their friends, and the lovers Of human
lty everywhere. should now give voice
TO their rejoicing in the fulfllment Of
his prophecy.
Let us hope tha. the coming century
may witness the fulfllmenU Of vet
others OF his aspirations for the good
OF the commonwealth OF nations. to
winch he has been so long and heart
cnlng an inSDirat;on''