The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1921-05-30

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. It
is the new Memorial amphitheater. the
most splendid monument to the heroic
dead ever erected by any nation. In
beautiful Arlington lie buried more
than $4,000 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
/ who have died In times of peace. 1t is
the highest of honors to be eligible to
burial in Arlington and while major
generals and second lieutenants 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 to final rest in
more beautiful surroundings.
Over every foot of the slopes and
Wales Of this magnificent reservation
the national government provides for
most perfect care; the grass is kept
green and cut and the bushes and
shrubs cared for as In q royal park,
while near the old Lee mansion the
fragrant wistaria climbs over an ex-
tensive trellis 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
place will increase in beauty and maj.
esty.
The first national cemetery was es-
tablished at 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 to make at
Arlington cemetery that would be
national In its widest sense. 10 pro-
vide this final resting place for the ma
TONS dead. the government paid to the
heirs Of Gen. Robert r. Lees wife.
$150,0O0 for property which had been A
assessed in 1860 at $4,000. MIL
The Arlington National cemetery
embraces 41S acres and since its es-
Establishment 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 ST.
100000 have been thus expended in
engineering to enhance the
natural beauty of the spot.
World Holds Nothing Like ".
The amphtheater is a majestic adj
dition which constitutes Arlington the
most magnificent of cemeteries. There
Is nothing like it in the whole world.
Other nations have erected monuments
to successful generals. admirals and
They have provided fam
Gus places of sepulture, as Westmin-
ster abbey, Pere La Chalse. the Pan
theon, and the Pyramids of Egypt. But
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 50