Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1922-11-02
O. arrlS Errnr

tons. And if a man must fight for his country
it is well that he fight best of all.
The tomb Of the "UnknOWn Iank" at the
Arlington theater attracts thousands who wish to
attest their adherence to all of which it is the
symbol. In one short year it has become Il
national shrine, possibly an international shrine.
The photograph reproduced herewith shows
Crawford c. Mccullough Of the International Ho-
tarians placing a bronze wreath on the tomb.
The full meaning of this homage to the
Unknown Dead cannot be put into words. But
President Harding, in his address at the burial
last year, said some of the things that every
good American feels:
Mr.. Secretary Of War and ladies and gentle
men, we are met today to pay the impersonal
tribute. The name of him whose body lies before
us took flight with his imperishable soul. We
know not whence he came, but only that his death
marks him with the everlasting glory of an
American dying for his country.
"Today's remon 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 Washington,
the great father, and of the exquisite monument
to Lincoln. the martyred savior. Here the insplra-
ton of yesterday and the conscience of today for
ever unite to make the Republic worthy OF his
death for fag and country.
"As we ieturn this poor clay to its mother soil,
Sdl lbINNNN ~ WV '"' ''O'> wan 49, NNO''N
lions that only nations can bestow, | can sense
the prayers of our people, of all peoples, that this
Armistice day shall mark the beginning of a new
and lasting era of peace on earth, good will
among men. Let me join in that prayer"
And other shrines in honor of the Unknown
Dead are being set up over the country. In
striking contrast to the surroundings in Airing
ten. that national cemetery where rest the bravest
of Americas brave, is a shrine in the Mariposa
grove of Big Trees in Yosemite National park,
California, at the other edge of the continent.
This unknown Hero Tree" dedicated by the
American Legion, was old and great and stately
before the Declaration of independence was
signed, before Columbus discovered America,
before Christ was born. 1t, with its companion
trees, is the oldest and biggest living thing on
earth. In the ordinary course of nature its span
of life is another two thousand years. A fitting
shrine! The photograph reproduced shows Baron
Rothschild Of Brussels and Paris placing a wreath
Of laurel and incense cedar.
This is as it should be. The memories that
are cherished by the good Americans of today
should be perpetuated in durable monuments for
the generations to come.
The war cost us much, but it also brought US a
renewed sense of nationality. Service under the
Flag of men of widely-differing race and tradi-
ton drew them together as brothers in American
ism. And it finished the work Of reuniting the
North and South which was begun by the Spanish
American war. Attest me ceremonies at the un-
yelling of the Grant memorial in Washington. A
great granddaughter Of the Union leader unveiled
the splendid statue. West Point cadets and
ANNAPOLIS midshipnen were much In evidence,
side by side stood the commanders of the G. A.. X.
and the Confederate Veterans. And General Carr,
in the gray Of the Lost Cause, caught up the Flag
Of, the reunited North and South and waved 1t
and cried so,all could hear, ale gave MS this"
But be, assured that every red-blooded Amer
lean man and woman has one common thought
on Armistice day. And it's the same thought that
all real men and women have, though they come
from the. ends Of the earth, when they stand
before that tomb of the Unknown Dead" in
Arlington. It's this-and it should be carved or
that tomb:
"You can kill them, but you can't stop them y