The New York herald., 1922-12-01
TIGER LAYS WREATH
ON LINCOLN'S TOMB
Says He Seeks New
Strength, New Powers,
New Feeling for Task.
MOVIE MEN SPOIL RITE
Torches Fill Chamber With
Smoke and Force Guest
Out for Air.
SEES MARTYRS HOUSE
Lets Legion Take Wreath in
His Name to Funeral
Of Veteran.
SEES MARTYRS HOUSE

spscsdi DtSpdtch 70 IHH new fokk t1nhALp.
SPRINorIELD, ILL.,. Nov. 3o.-Georges
Clemenceau laid a wreath at the tomb
OF Lincoln to-day and made there a
simple. reverent speech. He spoke OF
himself as an old man whose days
were numbered and who visited this
SPOT hoping "to bring from here new
strength. new powers and new feel
ing that shall carry me through to
the end"
He has now paid his respects at the
resting places OF Lincoln. Grant and
Roosevelt. This phase OF his pilgrim
age will be completed at Mount YER
non the epd of next week.
Before going to the Lincoln Monu-
ment in Oakridge Cemetery he was
taken toSthe faded clapboarded house
from which Lincoln went to Washing
ton. There the mementos were shown
to him. He paused longest before
Walt Whitman's poem, ''My Captain,
@. Ny Captain" on a wall Of the sit
ting room. He, said it brought back
TO him that day in Paris when the
stunning tidings OF the assassina ton
came.
A long line of automobiles carrying
members OF a Springfield committee
Sherman followed Clemenceau to the
cemetery outside the city. At the monu-
ment he first went into the memorial
room and signed his name on the visi-
tcrs' book. beneath placard announcing
that thirty thousand OF Lincoln's
friends registered here last year.
Movie Men Spoil Ceremony.
Then he was escorted around 20 the
door of the vault on the other side OF
tho granite pedestal. The gate. crdina-
rily kept closed, was open to him. With
his secretary be,lde him bearing the
laurel wreath Clemenceau stepped tn
side. AS he took the wreath In his
own hands and was about 20 deposit
H. on the arcophagus--bereath which
under twenty feet OF cement the dust OF
Lincoln lies-there occurred Something
Which impressed most OF the spectators
as extraordinary, even In this unconven-
tional land OF the free. Within the
Crypt two fashlight torches were sud-
denly afire. and movie operators at
either end OF the sarcophagus began
turning their crarks. 1t was obvious
from the expression Of Clemenccau's
face that he was astenished beyond
words. He quickly liftNd the wreath
laid il in its place and turned away. IL
Is customary on such occasions to stand
Tor several minutes Of silence. but the
smoke OF the flashlight powder In
stantly filled the small enclosure and he
had to go somewhere to breathe.
He hurriedly stepped outside, breath
ing deeply to refresh his lungs. Only a
handful OF persons had seen the specta-
Gle within the burial room, but most of
the several hundred assembled outside
could see the smoke pouring from the
room as Clemenceau left II. Lincoln's
tomb Is owned and cared for by the
State of Illinois.
Miners Chief q weIcomer.
The crowd then moved around the
monument again and Clemenceau was
helped to a little platform. John A.
Barber. president OF the Midday Lunch
con Club, introduced ex-senator Sher-
man. Sherman spoke of the visitor as a
fitting representative OF the French
Republic. The movie men had now
base and were firing from above. John
l.. Lewis. president of the United Mine
Workers of America. who lives in
Springfield, was one OF those stand
ing nearest in the assembly OF towns
people. Representing Gov. Small,
william Murphy saluted Clemenceau
Then bareheaded. although II was a
gray. drizziy day. tho Tiger" made his
little speech. lie said;
..ol. ,tx1 o-...f. tn
words. could not say more. T. a long
time ago. felt hurt when ] was young
student in Paris and heard that Lincoln
was murdered.
There were wide manifestations of
grief.
DO not think that I come here after
so many others TO consecrate such a
memory. To consecrate my thoughts
and feeling. that Is why come here.
II remember Gettysburg. where he said
tho most wonderful things. lie said We
don't ,come here to consecrate this hal
lowed ground but TO make our actions
worthy OF their lives AS a young man
I battled In France for the same cause
for which Lincoin gave his life.
500 Not Try to Equal Him."
1--WE have come here to tell him that
We do not try to equal him but 10 tell
him we try 10 go behind him on the path
he so gloriousiy opened.
IL want TO tell you OF the love of nv
people for not only him but for every
one who stands for the ideals for which
| he stood. Here I am. a private citizen,
| speaking no differently than any other,
hoping TO be not like him, but to be 80
good as Itcan. l am an old man. know
| ing that have but short time OF life
! left. but hope to bring from here new
I strength new powers and new feeling
! that shall carry me through to the end.
so gentlemen. let us say no more
We are not here In the interests OF n
political party nor for political action
I We are here like men before one of the
greatest men that ever lived. great by
thought. great by feeling and great by
action. All my heart goes to America
/ fore whom ! incline myself"
As he closed. Senator Sherman asked
him u the American Legion could take
a wreath in his name TO the funeral OF
a young American who had fought IN
I France. Certainly" said Clemenceau
lie took the wreath and passed Il on &c
Lieut.. Howard Knott, representing the
American Legion. The veteran, who
died last night. was Scott Humphrey. n
son OF Judge y. Dewey Humphrey OF
Springfield and former member OF
the Rainbow Division.
Senator sherman and other commit.
teemen Welcomed Clcnlencsau v,hen the