The Omaha morning bee., 1924-05-26
|Cray-Clad
Vets sLauded
by Coolidge
Confederates, All Americans,
Fighting for What They Be-
lieved We're Rights,
Says President.
Same God for Both Sides

Washington, May 25.-President
Coolidge today paid high tribute to
soldiers of those gray-clad armies
against which his forbears, uniform
ed in blue. battled so years ago.
Standing beside the great confeder-
ate memorial In Arlington national
cemetery. the president delivered per-
haps the most effective address of
his career from the standpoint of
sentiment, and one of the briefest.
Men and women who came annually
to decorate the graves of those who
fell in the "lost cause" were his
listeners.
'If am correctly informed by his
tory" Mr.. Coolidge said, 1T 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
made more thoroughly religious than
that which was commanded by Cen
eral Lee.
Moreover, these ceremonies neces-
sarily are expressive of a hope and
belief that rise above the things of
this life. 1t was Lincoln who pointed
out that both sides played to the
same God. When that Is the case.
1t is only matter of time when each
will seek a common end.
Preservation Of Ideals"
I'VE can now see clearly what that
end is. 1t is the maintenance OF our
American form of government, of our
American institutions. and OF our
American ideals. beneath common
flag. under the blessings OF Almighty
God.
"It was for this purpose that this
nation was brought forth. Our whole
course OF history has been proceeding
In that direction. Out of common
experience. made more enduring by
common sacrifice. We have reached
a common conclusion, on this day we
pause in memory of those who made
their sacrifice in one way.
I'm few days we shall pause
gain in memory of those who made
their sacriflce in another way. They
were all Americans. All contending
for what they believed were their
rights. On many battlefield they
sleep side by side. Here, In place
which is set aside for the resting
place of those who have performed
military duty, both make their nnai
bivouac. But their country lives.
Bitterness Is Passed"
"rhe bitterness of conflict Is passed.
Time has softened, discretion has
changed It. Your country respects
YOU for cherishing the memory OF
those who wore the gray. You re-
spect others who cherished tho mem
ory of those who wore the blue. In
that mutual respect may there be
firmer friendship and stronger anu
more glorious union.
"When l delivered the address dedi-
eating the great monument to General
Grant in the city OF Washington,
General Carr was present with others
of his comrades and responded for
the eonfederacy with most appro-
pirate tribute. He has lately passed
away. one OF the last OF talented
and gallant corps of officers.
ITO the memory of him whom
had seen. and heard, and knew. as
the representative of that now silent
throng, whom I did not know, l now
offer my tribute. We know that 1t
is providence that would have It so.
We see and we obey.
"A mightier force than ever FOL
lowed Grant or Lee has levelled both
their hosts, raised up a united nation,
and made us all partakers Of n new
glory. 1t is not for us to forget the
past, but to remember it, that we
may profit by 1t. But II is gone, we
cannot change 1t. We must put our
emphasis 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. They
all raat I'm tho same divine peace,