Evening star., 1923-05-23

commemorated the trees are no long
or monum ents. but merely trees. They
are like closed books which have lost
their titles. ss.''
brooks. -.
Sermons in stones and good 10 everything.
Surely there are sermons in stones"
and bronze-throughout Washing,
ton, and every monument should have
its sermon interpreted. but no more
ID that true than that every tree
should have its tongue united.
y X
When Congress adjourned the grass
had not grown over the graves Of the
veterans Of the world war lying in
Arlington cemetery. So it was easy
FOR Congress to overlook the need Of
special provision to keep the graves
In proper condition. The apparent
neglect which has permitted the grass
and weeds to overrun the cemetery
Is not due to lack of effort on the part
OF the workers in charge, but they
nave been overburdened by the in
creased demands of work
Now, the American Legion has
called for volunteers to contribute
services. and the matter will be cared
for. No grave will be found neglected
on memorial day.
4 " ;. X
Is not this local situation character
istic of the proneness of the se
human heart to think that the task
close at hand may be neglected. be-
cause 1t is close. while what 10 distant
looms large? The amount of money
called for for the permanent care Of
the graves OF American soldiers left
In France was quickly oversuh-
available to add to the home fund
The unknown soldiers tomb would
never be neglected. but here was a
seeming neglect OF the grave of thou
sanus of known soldiers but for the
ready watch of some Of the leaders OF
the American Legion.
By proclamation from the President ;
and also from the District Commits
sioners all patriots, and all who hold
the memory of those who died for
the perpetuation Of civilization, are
requested to wear the poppy on Me-
mortal day. 1t is the official flower
of the soldiers OF the world war.
Artificial poppies are acceptable, and
more durable than the real flower. It
is small thing to do, but the failure
TO show the poppy will indicate that
the memory of those who fell Is
lightly esteemed.
Can It be true that. so soon. there
are many who would forget what the
war meant when fits termination hung
In the balance? Is the world now SO
settled in ways of peace and justice
I; at the crisis of 1918 is no longer
living?
Upon the breast OF an American
hero. dead upon the battlefield was
found message, even to the living Of
today:
Ye that have faith TO look beyond
The tragedy OF a world OF strife,
And know that out Of death and night
Shall come the dawn Of amPer life:
Rejoice. whatever anguish rends the heart.
That God hath given you the priceless dover
To live in these times, and have your part
In freedoms crowning hour:
That We may tell your sons. who sec the light
High in the heavens, their heritage to take,
81 the powers of darkness take their flight,
/ the morning break
An American officer upon the battle-
field. at IL o'clock, November II.
spoke these solemn words. in the
hearing of a group of doughboys, and
rough-speaking soldier replied.
YES, and we can all thank our Jesus
that we're alive today
The poets words mean more, per-
haps, to men who heard the awful.
silence of the arnnistice henff APon
the field of carnage. but surely the
world has not yet found the morn
ing" cloudless,t'
The spirit which won battles will
prevail to win the struggles yet be-
, fore civilization, ere the powers of
darkness take their flight"
Copyright. 1923. by P. v Collins