, 1923-05-24

rels. And did you know that on the pension rolls
of a grateful nation there are yet 80 names of vet.
Grams of that war, though it closed 75 years agoi
When Abraham Lincoln left his Illinois home for
the White House he said to his neighbors, assem-
bled to wish him Godspeed:
There has fallen upon me a task such as did not
rest even upon The Father of His Country. and SO
feeling 1 cannot but turn and look for that support
without which it will be impossible to perform that
American people and to that God who has never
forsaken them
He was a true prophet. All Christendom stood
astounded at the magnitude of the struggle that
followed, and the spirit of the combatants. 1t was
American against American. Nor did the Ameri-
can people fail Lincoln. Nor did God forsake the
American people. The outstanding fact In Ameri-
can history is the hand of Providence In the affairs
Of the nation.
But he Civil war is over now and Its wounds
are healed. Recalling what were the issues of that
war and remembering thai Appomattox settled
those issues right and for all time. we can strew
flowers alike for Grant and Lee. for Sherman and
Jackson, for Sheridan and Stuart with:
Love and tears for the Blue,
Tears and love for the Gray.
AS for Llncoln-he stands beside Washington in
the hearts of a reunited people.
1t was this mighty struggle Of American against
American that give us Memorial day. And It was
Gen. John A.. Logan VINO, as commander In chief
Of the Grand Army of the Republic in 1868, estab-
lished Memorial day. Logan has been In the tomb
for 81 years. And now his widow has gone to join
him. She was alw avs his constant helpmeet and
inspiration; IL is likely that she herself brought
about Memorial day. Flowers for her grave; the
memory Of her works will live.
1t was only % years ago this year that the Maine
was blown up In Havana harbor. That meant war.
Of course. The summer saw 1t begun. fought and
won. And 1t was an important war. 1t saw a re-
united North and South again fighting under the
Stars and Stripes. II made the United States a
world rower over night. 1t showed the world that
America would fight for the cause of humanity and
could forego the fruits Of victory. 1t was notice
TO the nations that the 1898 American was the
same old hghtlng man on land and sea.
wouldn't you like to have been on Fighting
Bob" Evans Iowa at Santiago and seen the band
perched on the forward turret, grimy and half
naked. Just as they came from the guns. and heard
them blare out:
rhere'n be n hot time In the old town tonight
II seems only yesterday that the Lusltanla went
down. And that meant war. ~too-Americn's en-
trance into the World war, the greatest OF all his
tory. Doubtless the quintessence OF the nations
thought on Memorial day will be in the offerings
Mt the tomb of our Unknown Dead In Arlington.
Fitting indeed are these words OF President Hard
ing, spoken at the burial OF this Unknown Soldier:
1--WE do not know the emlnencc OF his birth, but
we do know the glory Of his death. He died for
his country. and greater devotion hath no man thnn
this. lie died unquestionlng. accomplishing. with
faith In his heart and hope on his lips. that his
country should triumph and Its civilization survive.
As n typical soldier OF this representative democ-
rncy, he fought and died, believing In the lndls-
putable justice OF his country's cause. 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 IA
vior. Here the Inspirations Of yesterday and the
conscience OF today forever unite to make the re
public worthy OF his death for flag and country"