Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-11-12
AT WASHINGTON

Washington, Nov. 11.-President
Coolidge laid wreath today on the
tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Ar
lington as the Armistice Day tribute
of the American people to the men,
DRY of those who did not see the
end but died that the end might
come"
The act of tribute to the dead of
the World War was performed by
the Chief Executive with little cere-
mony and in strict accord with the
custom established a year ago by
President Harding.
Several thousand people attended
services held at Arlington in the
memorial amphitheatre in the after
noon and many more gathered on
nearby slopes heard the service of
song, prayer and addresses through
ampiifiers mounted on the top of the
structure.
Bishop William F. Mcdowell of the
Methodist Episcopal church. made
the principal address. an appeal to
the American people to keep the
faith at the tune when the tendency
Is strong ito lapse back into or
dinariness OF aspiration, into com
placency of soul when the glory of
conflict has passed.
"Idealism SO often fails In the long
pull, in the patient and creative en-
, durance to the end. in the days that
show no heroism but only toll and
ecort." Bishop Mcdowell said. THAT
is the test that is upon us now"
Brief ceremonies were held at the
tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the
conclusion Of the amphitheatre SER
vices and numerous veterans organi-
cations added their wreaths to the
mound of tributes which grew
steadily higher from the time the
President laid 1.-The National wreath
Leaving the White House at ten
o'clock MIR. Coolidge arrived at Ar
lington before many of the thous-
ands who gathered there in obser-
vance of the fifth anniversary Of the
ending of the world conflict. He was
accompanied by Mrs. Coolidge, his
military and naval aides, and Secre-
tary- Weeks Of the war department
and acting Secretary Roosevelt OF
the navy department
The party entered the cemetery at
the south gate. where an escort OF
cavalry awaited and drove along the
wide avenue from which stretch on
either side, row on row, the world
war dead who we're Brought home to
rest. The. motor cars halted near the
memorial Amphitheatre and the Chief
Executive and his party advanced on
foot to the tomb of the Unknown
Soldier, about which stood an honor
guard of marines at attention.
The President stopped a few feet
in front of the tomb. with Secretary
Weeks to his right and Secretary
Roosevelt to his left Then, with
heads uncovered and with the Presi-
dent bearing the wreath. a massive
circle of white chrysanthemums. the
three walked to the tomb and the
President laid the floral tribute upon
the marble top. Mr.. Coolidge stood
with bowed head for a minute and
then raised his hand in salute to the
honored dead. The President was
turning to leave when Mrs. Coolidge
stepped to the tomb and laid beside
the wreath a white rosebud, the
special tribute of American woman
hood to the unknown dead.
Mr.. and Mrs. Coolidge. upon their
return to the city, went to the First
Congregational church where thew
participated in Armistice Day SER
vices and heard a sermon by the pas
tor. the Rev. Jason Noble Pierce
ON the subject. Lest We Forget"