The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-05-30
Day Dawns Bright and Clear in
Washington for Services.
Unknown Soldiers Grave Scene
of Principal Exercises.
LINCOLN MEMORIAL DEDICATED
Acceptance of Huge Monument
for Country Is Completed.
Flowers Are Strewn in Potomac
HOnOring Nations Dead.
tpn the Aasociated Press,

Washington, May 3O-A nations
tribute to it's glorious dead reached its
climax today at the dedication Of the
Memorial erected beside the Potomac
to Abraham Lincoln by his grateful
countrymen.
A former president headed the COM
mission which has laVished endless
thought on making this stone emblem
of American gratitude worthy of the
man whose memory it will perpetuate
for Americans always
The president in person accepted the
work in the nations name. Spread
across the wide terrace the lawns ard
and the circling driveways that have
been wrought to give the memorial
building setting, were thousands of
Americans and the most distinguished
men in this country from foreign
lands also come to pay their homage
at this new shrine of democratic lib
erty.
OF, BY, and For. the People.
Close about were gathered the men
who today hold in their hands the
destinies of that government "of the
people, for the people and by the peo-
pie, which Lincoln gave his life TO
maintain, but behind these over a mile
wide sweep of the Mall and clear away
to the base of Washington monument.
a mile distant, from the memorial
were the common folks from whom
Lincoln came and for whom he toiled
endlessly, until he was cut down by
Foremost among the men who gath
cred at this eliminating ceremony Of
Decoration day, were the veterans of
the Grand Army of the Republic.
The uniforms Of the veterans and of
the military attaches and the marines
who guarded and patrolled the path
ways thru the great throng were the
only signs today of military life except
that the officers and men of the Brit
ish flagship Raleigh, now at Washing
ton navy yard. were mingled with the
thousands of Americans who stood to
hear what former President Taft and
President Harding had to say.
Lincoln Himself Seems There
The speakers rostrum was at the
head of the wide stairway that leads
to the square, marble bulk of the
memorial where the statue of Lincoln
Is the only occupant of the stately
chamber that houses it.
Below stretched the great crowd
and the ampHfiers from the roof Of
the memorial carried the words of
the speaker far across to the wooded
sweeps of lawn on either hand that
reach toward the monument to Wash
ington and towards the looming bulk
OF the capitol in the far distance be
yond.
The statue shows Lincoln in the
pose and with the expression that
have long been eTldeared to American
hearts
It is cut from a solid block OF
Georgia marble and from the base OF
the statue itself to the head OF the
seated figure is nearly twenty feet.
Above the statue on the back wall OF
the memorial runs the simple legend
that tells of the greatness OF the man
and of the love for his countrmen.
North and South alike have come 10
honor his memory.
Lincoln's Son Is There.
The sculptor has seen Lincoln as
Lincoln's son, come here today despite
ages infirmities to attend the impress
sfve ceremonies, often must have seen
him in life when he sank back in his
heavy chair at his desk in the white
House and brooded over the havoc
that civil war would make
The figure is relaxed with arms out
spread on the arms of the chair. The
wide shoulders are pressed back for
support but the head is erect, and the
quiet, gaunt, deeply lined face Is but
the setting Of the prooding eyes lock-
ing thoVghtfully, almost in sorrow
ing pitys over the memories Of the
scenes they witnessed, OF the sorrows
thew