Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1921-05-26

IN ~ ss ys
Jusr across the historic Potomac
overlooking the capital Of the nation
from commanding bluff is the no
blest of American cemeteries, and from
the midst of its verdant green Is re-
flected In the morning sunlight won
derful edifice OF snow-white marble. IL
is the new Memorial amphitheaier, the
most splendid monument TO the heroic
dead ever erected by any nation. In
beautiful Arlington lie buried more
than 10000 men. Union soldiers and
sailors of the Civil war, from private
and seaman TO general and admiral,
Confederate soldiers. soldiers of the
Spanish war and soldiers and sailors
Of the regular army, navy and marines
the highest OF honOrs to be eligible TO
burial I'm Arlington and while major
generals and second lleutenants lie
side by side near the men they COM
manded in battle, not one civilian. no
matter what his influence, may find
burial within its confines. Nor could
one wish TO lie down 10 final rest I'm
more beautiful surroundings.
over every foot Of the slopes and
Wales OF this magnificent reservation
the national government provides for
Il most perfect care; the grass is kept
green and cut and the bushes and
shrubs cared for as In royal park.
while near the old Lee mansion the
fragrant wistaria climbs over an ex-
tensive trelis where the Memorial day
exercises have always been held. on
all sides Towering shrubs contributing
their living beauty and perfume TO the
impressive ceremonies on this day OF
the nations remembrance. Every
President OF the United States since
the Civil war, except one, has felt hon
ored by an invitation to speak at Ar
llngton on Memorial day.
Worthy of the Dead.
For many years, however, this wis
taria-covered temple has been entirely
inadequate for the rapidly growing
throngs attending the services. and
some thirteen years ago the Grand
Army of the Republic appealed to con-
gress for a building fitting the great
ness of the nations Valhalla. The
white marble edifice. completed at
cost OF SS50000, Is the magnificent re-
suit. 1t is a great circular amDhlthea-
ter with a seating capacity of 5000.
The marble is from the famous quar-
ries ut Dandy, VT, and is a dazzling
snowy white. The location of the am
phitheater is on the crest Of the same
high ridge occupied by the historic
Lee mansion with its huge white pill
lars. but the former is located some
distance apart. just outside of tie
heavily wooded portion OF The Gene
terry which is filled with soldier graves.
AS years pass and the young trees sur
rounding the amphitheater grow the
place will increase in beauty and maj
esty.
The first national cemetery was es-
tablished Mt Gettysburg to make an
honored resting place for those who
on that great battlefield gave their
lives that the nation might live. and
then came the inspiration 10 make ar
Arlington a cemetery that would be
national IN its widest sense. To pro-
vide this final resting place for the ma
,Ion's dead the government paid to the
heirs of Gen. Robert f.. Lees wife,
Sl50,000 for property which had been
assessed in 1850 at $4,000
The Arlington National cemetery
embraces AIS acres and since It's es-
adjustment the government has spared
no expense TO make 1t the most beau
tiful and attractive city Of the dead
upon which the sun shines. Over 81
100000 have been thus expended in
landscape engineering 20 enhance the
natural beauty Of the spot.
World Holds Nothing Like IT,
The amplitheater is a majestic adj
dltion which constitutes Arlington the
most magnificent of cemeteries. There
is nOlllluE ike IL III llc NiiOlt Wpiih.
Other nations have erected monuments
TO successful generals, admirals and
statesmen. They have provided fam
Gus places of sepulture, as Westmin-
ster abbey, Pere La Chaise. the Pan
theon, and the Pyramids Of Egypt. But
Westminster abbey is reserved for men
OF the highest distinction In any walk
OF life craftsmanship, invention,
science, letters, philanthropy, as well
as war. 1t is the same with Pere La.
Chaise, while the Pyramids were tombs
for kings and queens only. But not so
with Arlington cemetery. Here equality
OF service and sacrifice dominates.
Commanding general and humble pri-
vate are on the same level; the simple
rule Of eligibility for burial is the
same; yet II is iron-clad. Wealth.
birth, social station and political emf
hence, without military service, try for
admission in vain.
At Arlington have gathered during