The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-11-14
U.S.MEMORIAL
is DEDICATED
BY PRESIDENT
Harding Speaks at Laying of
Cornerstone for New Vic
tory Memorial - Recalls
Virtues of Washington.
WILL COST S1O,OOO,OOO
tBv Associated Pressl

taken from the White House when it
was rebuilt more than 100 years ago,
will officiate today at the laying OF
the cornerstone for the new victory
memorial here.
The structure is to be erected on
plot at 9Th and B streets. northwest,
few blocks from the capitol, which was
|. given by congress for the purpose.
y It's final cost, according to estimates
will be $10,000,000 of which more than
s1,000000 already had been raised.
President Harding dedicated he
structure as "a gathering place for
Americans, where American minds be-
gin the fulfillment of one of the strik-
ing provisions of the last will of
George Washington. which set aside
a bequest for the founding of IAN insti-
tuition 10 disseminate learning, culture
and a proper understanding of right
principles in government.
Analyses Attributes.
The presidents address was given
largely to an analysis of the less well
known attributes of the first president
which, he said. made Washington 'on
his private and personal side very
model of good citizenship"
1T is an impressive fact Mr..
Harding said worthy Of our espec-
ial thought that in the century and
a half since Washington became the
leader, the heart and soul. of its strug
giles for independence and unity, this
nation has so many times found oc-
casons to record devotion to the pre-
cepts which he laid down for its guild
ance.
so today, after more than cen
tury's delay we are come to pay tri-
butte to the foresight which first en-
couraged and endowed the institution
here established-an institution which
is to be alike a monument to those
who sacrificed in a noble, and bea-
con to shed afar the light of useful
knowledge and grateful understanding
among men.
Know Public Side.
aIt has seemed 20 nae that our stu
dies OF Washington have been too
much from those public sides from
(which we view him as the military
tehfef the inspired leader of the col
Gnies. the statesman and guide OF con-
stitution-making times. the welding
force which hammered fragments OF
communities into a great nation; as
the first president; and as the au-
thor of that body Of domestic and Tor
oign policies which he bequeathed in
his farewell address.
Think it may be said that if on the
one side Washington was the great
personal force that wrenched apart
the two chief branches of the English
speaking race, he was on the other the
Greatest personal factor in saving TINS
continent to Anglo-SaXon denomlna-
tion: and in doing that he contributed
very greatly to making possible the
wide.flung family of English-speaking
nations.
If as leader OF the revolving col
onies in 70 this time aided by france
he tore them from the grasp oil Eng
land il is equally true that two de
cades earlier he had saved them from
the possible domination OF France. l
am sure that today our faithful friends
and trusted allies OF France and Eng
land alike would agree that IN bolh
cases. viewed in the light OF suose-
ouent events, he served MANKIND wen
put among the documents which
attest his wisdom, there Is one 10
which little study has been given. /
mean his last will and testament. On
an occasion such as brings US mere TO-
dav it is not inappropriate to direct at
tnntion for a few moments TO thla re-
markable instrument.
Great Humanitarian.
Washington was not only sIed'
soldier and a great statesman ne was
. &c a nan Of great business affairs
I'd an eminent humanitarian. ProVld
md alvavs methodical he amassed
Forfune. which has been rated DE
-, as the greatest of his time IN AL
tho country. But plainly II was no.
bis belief that society is pest seIHet
nv the transmission from geheraLoI
~ generation OF such imposing asSie
,ates of wealth. Therefore ms "ni
sfter devising minor and largely senlL
mental requests to many reldt 60 an lo
frfends directed that the reslduary eS
.ata should be divided into 2S equa
a,as 10 be distributed among the
heirs whom he named.
WITHIN a br IF century and haI
~ American people under Washlns
- inspiration have created a grea
"tion added to the dominion OF I'D
-, and of opportunity, and, we ma!
80 afforded a helpful example t'
~ world. Ii has not been accom-
rIisbad without heavy sacriflces. "A
saarfuI cost we had to wipe out al
1h;guity in the constitution ana re
astabIish union where disunion threat
onad In a conflict well nigh as wide
as the world, we were called 10 draw
tho sword for humanity and the rene
of oppression. 1900, :,
VERY urgently we have paused tt
sneat tribute to those who sacrificed
in that struggle for civilizations pres
eryation. We cannot too often or to'
earnestly repeat that tribute; and W.
consacrate this institution as a me
mortal and a shrine in reminder to al
the future of the services and sacri
fices OF our heroes of the World war
Speakers OF the occasion included
General Pershing and Admiral Coontz
chief of naval operations, Bishop AL
fred Harding will pronounce the IN
vocation and the Right Rev. c. +
Thomas. the benediction. A numbe
of visiting diplomats, as well as dele
cations from those on duty here, ant
officials of the government were pres
ent.