The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1921-11-15
Unknown SoI1Ier
Died For Country

1--WE are met today to pay the
impersonal tribute. The name OF
him whose body lies before us took
fight with his imperishable soul. We
know not whence he came, but only
that his death marks him with the
everlasting glory Of any American
dying for his country. lie might
have come from any one Of millions
of American homes. Some mother
gave him her love and tenderness Of
her most cherished hopes. We do
not know his station in life, because
from every station came the patriot
ic response of the five millions.
1--WE do not know the eminence of
his birth, but we do know the glory
of his death. He died for his coun-
try, and greater devotion hath no
man than this. He died unquestion-
ing, accomplishing, with faith in his
heart and hope on his lips, that his
country should triumph. He fought
and died, believing in the indisput-
able justice of his country's cause.
He believed his to be a service des-
tined to change the tide of human
affairs Of the world.
"This American soldier went forth
to battle with no hatred for any peo-
pie of the world, but hating war and
hating the purpose of every>war for
conquest; and in the maelstrom of
destruction and suffering and death
he fred his shot for liberation of the
captive conscience of the world.
And We are here to testify undying
gratitude.
To-day our thoughts alternate be-
tween defenders living and defend
ers dead. A grateful republic will
be worthy of them both. Our part
is to atone for the losses of heroic
dead by making a better republic for
the living. The nation is better and
nobler for their deeds. Burial here
is rather more than sign of the
governments favor, it is sugges-
ton Of tomb in the heart of the ma
ton sorrowing for its noble dead.
''This hero unknown we gather to
the nations breast. Here the inspi-
rations of yesterday and the con-
science of today forever unite to,
make the republic worthy of his
death for flag and country.
"Ours are lofty resolutions today,
as with tribute to the dead we con-
secrate ourselves to better order
for the living. With all my heart
wish we might say to the defenders
who survive, to mothers who sorrow,
to widows and children who mourn,
that no such sacrifice will he asked
again.
at was my fortune recently to see
demonstration of modern warfare.
1t is no longer a conflict in chivalry,
no more a test in militant manhood.
1t is only cruel, deliberate, scientific
destruction. AS this panorama of
unutterable destruction visualized
the horrors of modern CONFLICT, there
grew on me the sense Of the failure
of a civilization which can leave its
problems to such cruel arbitrament.
Surely, no one in authority with hui
man attributes and full appraisal
of the patriotic loyalty of his coun-
trymen could ask manhood to make
such sacrifice until all reason had
failed. Until appeal to justice
through understanding had been de-
MED, until every effort of love and
consideration for fellowmen had
been exhausted, until freedom itself
and inviolate honor had ben brutal
ly threatened
"The Hottest tribute we can be-
stow today heroically earned
tributes the commitment Of this
republic to an advancement never
made before. Let us give of our in
fiuence and strength, yea, of our as
pirations and convictions to put
mankind ON a little higher nlane. LET