Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1921-06-02
HARDING PRAISES
AMERICAN HEROES
President Lauds War Dead in
Address at U. S. Gem
etery.
OWN COUNTRY COMES FIRST
Speaks at Arlington Graves in Pres
ence of Thousands in Blue and
Gray - British Ambassador
Places Flowers on FLAG.


Washington, May 31.-Standing on
the edge of tha great national burial
ground at Arlington, where lie the hon.
ored dead of all fae wars in which
America has engaged, President Hard
ing paid full measure OF tribute to
those who died that the republic might
live and made a plea that the ma
ton reconsecrate itself to the ideals
for which they died-the preservation
of the Union and the advancement
of humanity.
The President spoke in the great
white marble amphitheater on the
outskirts Of the cemetery overlooking
the capital.
In his audience, which numbered
thousands, were the blue and gray
uniformed veterans of the Civil strife
and khaki-clad veterans of the World
war.
Troth to Civilization.
The* President said, in part:
4'Today the sons and daughters of
other lands are placing laurels on
American graves, and our Memorial
day has become an international occa-
sion, it calls up opportunity for many
lands and countries to help in its OBJ
servance; equally to them and to us,
it is reminder of our common troth
to civilization, humanity and everlast-
ing justice.
II counsel no selfishness, no little
Americanism, no mere parochialism,
when urge that our first duty is to
our own, and that in the measure of
its performance we will find the true
gauge of our capacity to be helpful to
others.
Freedom is not to be crowded upon
those who will not have it, but the
privilege was opened wide to the van
quished communities which he sought
to take it from others. We do not
yet know whether the defeated and
unwilling benefciaries will be able to
grasp this boon. We cannot tell
whether they will pay the price re-
quired to maintain the freedom to
which the door has been OF ened We
do know that our sons and brothers
afforded them the opportunity
"We found ourselves as a people,
occupying place of vast responsible
ity to the world 1t required sub
mergence of selfish ends But | am
not counseling surrendered independ-
ence. Cur maintained freedom is the
only source of our might. Only the
American conscience may command
this republic
"With the return of peace, indus
trial discipline was thrown aside not
only in this country, but in every
country that was in the war. A break
down of morale accompanied it and
we find ourselves hating when we
ought to move forward We need a
patriotism resolute in peace as well
as patriotism aflame in war.
"Only few days ago I saw more
than 5000 fiag-draped collins. tenanted
with their heroic dead. Theirs was
mute eloQuence in protesting wars,
theirs was the supreme appeal for
wars avoidance. The way to pre-
serve honor without material wants
and the costlier human sacrifice would
be the surprising memorial tribute.
We may not bestow it today. but we
may fittingiy resolve that the influence
and example of our America shall
point the way to such lofty achieve
ment."
Britain's Tribute.
Sir Auckland Geddes, the British
ambassador, accentuated the impress
sive solemnity of the memorial cere-
monies with high tribute for the part
of the United States in the great con-
fiict. Unannounced, and accompanied
only, by British naval officer, bearing
q huge wreath of red roses, the Brit
fish envoy appeared on the rostrum at
the conclusion of the Presidents adj
dress. Turning to the President he
said:
''In the name of my king, George ".
I'm the name of the people of the Uni
ted Kingdom, of India. and of the
British dependencies and communities
throughout the world--in token of
their admiration of the gallantry and
devotion of American sons and daugh-
tiers in the great war; In evidence of
their sympathy with America, who to-
day mourns and glorifies her dead |;
In undimmed memory of the sacrifices
that America has made for individual
liberty. and with your permission. Mr..
President. lay this wreath on the flag
Of America"
Receiving the bower of flowers from
his naval aide. Sir Auckland placed II
over the Stars and Stripes that
draped the marble altar.