The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-11-12
COMPLETE TEXT OF
PRESIDENTS SPEECH
AT LlNKOWN'S Ora We

between defenders living and defend
ers dead. grateful republic will
be worthy of them both. Our part Is
to atone for the losses Of heoric dead
by making a better republic for the
living.
Not Unhonored
Sleeping in these hailowed grounds
are thousands of Americans who have
given their blood for the baptism OF
freedom and it's maintenance, armed
exponents of the nations conscience.
1t is better and nobler for their deeds
Burial here is rather more than n
sign OF the governments favor, II is
a suggestion OF a tomb in the heart
of the nation, sorrowing for its noble
dead.
Today's ceremonies proclaim that
the hero unknown Is not unhonored.
We gather him to the nations breast,
within the shadow OF the capitol. of
the towering shaft that honors Wash
ington, the great father, and of the
exquisite monument to Lincoln. the
martyred savior. Here the inspira-
tions OF yesterday and the conscience
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 conse-
crate ourselves to a better order fo-
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 secrIfice shall be asked
again.
1t was my fortune recently to see a
demonstration of modern warfare. 1t
is no longer conflict in chivalry
no more test of militant mani rood.
1t Is only cruel deliberate, scientific
destruction. There was no contend
ing enemy, only the theoretical de-
Tense of hypothetic objective. But
the attack was made with all the re-
lentless methods of modern destruc-
ton. There was the rain OF ruin
from the aircraft, the thunder of ar
tillery, followed by the unspeakable
devastation wrought by bursting
shells; there were mortars belching
their bombs of desolation; machine
guns concentrating their loaden
storms; there was the infantry, adj
vancing, firing, and falling--like men
with souls sacrificing fer the de-
cision. The flying missiles were re-
vealed by Illuminating tracers. so
that we could note their flight and
appraise their deadliness. The air
was streaked with tiny flames mark
ing the flight of massed destruction;
while the effectiveness of the theo-
retical defense was impressed by the
stimulation of dead and wounded
among those going forward. I'M
daunted and unheeding. AS this pan
Drama of unutterable destruction
visualized the horrors of modern
conflict. there grew on me the sense
o. the. failure OF civilization which
can leave it's problems to such cruel
arbitrament. Surely no one in au-
thority, with human attributes and
a full appraisal of the patriotic 10y
atty OF his countrymen, could ask
the manhood of kingdom, empire. or
republic to make such sacrifice until
all reason had failed, until appeal
to Justice through understanding had
been denied, until every effort of
men had been exhausted, until free
dom itself and inviolate honor had
been brutally threatened.
I speak not as pacifist fearing
war. but as one who loves justice and
hates war. I speak as one who be.
lieves the highest function OF gov
ernment Is to give It's citizens the Sc
curity of peace. the opportunity to
achieve. and the pursuit of happiness
The loftiest tribute we can bestow
today-the heroically earned tribute
fashioned in deliberate conviction,
out of unclouded thought. neither
Swallowed by remorse nor made vain
by fancies Is the commitment Of this
republic to an advancement never
made before. II American achieve
ment is a cherished pride at home, IL
our unselfishness among nations 10
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