Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-05-26
COOLIDGE IN HIGH TRIBUTE TO
CONFEDERATE HDEAD oF NATION
Time Has Softened the Bitter
ness Of Conflict Between
North and South, He Tells
Handful of Veterans in Gray
at Services in Arlington
Cemetery-A New Glery for
All Now in a United Nation,
He Declares

tribute to the Confederate dead was
paid today by Calvin Coolidge, the
first New Englander to become presi-
dent since the Civil War.
Speaking at the Confederate Me-
mortal Day exercises at Arlington,
Mr.. Coolidge looked across the green
slopes where the Confederate and
Union dead sleep almost side by side
and declared "a mightier force than
ever followed Grant or Lee has lev
elled both their hosts, raised up a
united nation, and made US all par
takers of a new glory"
The chief executive previously had
turned to the few remaining veterans
in gray, seated just before him. and
to their sons and daughters and, with
a reminder that time has softened.
discretion has changed" the bitter
ness of conflict between North and
South, said:
Your country respects you for
cherishing the memory of those who
wore the Gray. You respect others
who cherish the memory Of those
who wore the Blue. In that mutual
respect may there bye firmer
friendship and a stronger and more
glorious union"
Addressing those men to honor the
Confederate dead as my fellow
countrymen," the president spoke as
follows:
eff 1 am correctly informed by
history it is fitting that the Sabbath
should be your Memorial Day. This
follows from the belief that except
for the forces of Oliver Cromwell.
no army was ever more thoroughly
religious than that which was COM
manded by General Lee. Moreover
these ceremonies necessarily are ex-
pressive Of a hope and a belief that
rise above the things Of this life. 1t
was Lincoln who pointed out that
both sides prayed to the same God.
When that is the case, it is only a
matter Of time when each will seek a
common end. We can now see clearly
what that end is. 1t is the mainten-
ance of our American form of gov
eminent, Of our American institu-
tons. and of our American ideals,
beneath a common flag, under the
blessings of Almighty God,
1T was for this purpose that this
nation was brought forth. Our whole
course of history has been proceed
ing in that direction. Out of Com.
mon experience, made more enduring
by a common sacrifice, we have
reached a common conclusion. On
this day we pause in memory OF
those who made their sacrifice in one
way. In few days we shall pause
again in memory Of those who made
their sacrifice in another way. They
were all Americans, all contending
for what they believed We're their
rights. On many a battlefield they
sleep side by side. Here, in q place
which is set aside for the resting of
those who have performed military
duty, both make their final bivouac.
But their country, lives.
1.-THE bitterness of conflict is pass
ed. Time has .softened, discretion
has changed it. Your country re-
spects you for cherishing the MEM
DRY of those who wore the Gray. You
respect others who cherish the men,
DRY of those who wore the Blue. In
that mutual respect may there be a
firmer friendship and a stronger and
more glorious union.
when 1 delivered the address ded-
icating the great monument to Gen.
eral Grant in the city Of Washing
ton, General Carr was present with
others of his comrades and respond
ed for the Cohfederacy with a most
appropriate tribute. He has lately
passed away, one of the last of tai
ented and gallant corps of officers.
To the memory of him whom had
seen, and heard. and knew. as the
representative of that now. silent
throng whom did not know. l now
offer my tribute. We know that it
is Providence that would have it so.
We see and we obey. A mightier
force than ever followed Grant has
levelled both their hosts, raised up
a united nation, and made us all par
takers of new glory.
1T is not for us to forget the past
but to remember it. that We may
profit by it. But it is gone; We can
not change it. We must put our en-
phasis on the present and put into
effect the lessons the past has taught
us. All about us sleep those of many
different beliefs, and many divergent
actions. But America claims them
all. Her flag floats over them. Her
government protects them. Here all
rest in the same Divine peace"