Evening star., 1924-11-07
ARLINGTON
"Unknown, yet ,ceH known.'

Armistice day, which is fast ap-
preaching, will find many making a
pilgrimage to Arlington, the Nations
Gods Acre" 1t is a visit ever to be
remembered. First, in the sequence of
time, appropriately we come to the
Civil War burying ground and the old
amphitheater with its graceful arches,
ivy and trumpet vine richly covering
stone and brick and mortar. 1t is
beautiful with the mellow beauty Of
age and treasured memory. Lees dig
nified colonial mansion. and nearby
Soldiers and Sailors Monument, then
the mast Of the battleship Maine"
recovered from Havana harbor. guard
ing like sentinel the gravestones of
the men whose bodies were brought
forth from their watery grave when
the ship was raised. These latter re-
call the history of short, vigorous
war fought for great principle. The
memorial stone of the Rough Riders"
teens with interest and memory Of
their great colonel, the strenuous
full.lived Roosevelt.
The new amphitheater impresses
you At once with Its perfect proper
tion and the feeling Of rest which
you get from balanced architectural
structures. Within the building is a
beautiful statue of gold raised on a.
high marble pedestal which bears an
inscription in Chinese, sent as a gift
from China The figure bears an olive
oranch. Glass covered cases on tables
and along the walls inclose various
other tributes. The signed cards and
ribbons which came with the bou-
auets sent by prominent men, Presi-
dent Harding, Gen. Pershing and
King George Of England are in a
separate case. On the card of the last
is written:
AS Unknown, yet well known.
AS dying, and behold we live,
GEORGE K. l."
Also there are a great many fine tab
let's and carved bronzes of palms and
wreaths from France, Belgium, Eng
land. Italy and Portugal, combining the
richness OF taste and wealth Of imagi-
nation characteristic Of the foreign
artihces. All the medals awarded for
bravery given by our country and the
allies are there. A huge golden star
from the Gold Star Mothers and a large
medal from the Daughters of 1912, rec
ognitions from the American Legion
the Disabled American Veterans Of the
World War and kindred veteran or
gAnizations here and abroad, as we'll
as civic clubs such as the Rotary, are
represented. An Indian chiefs full cos
tune hangs by itself in case on the
wall
Across the road from the new am
phitheater building. at the foot of its
steps, lies the severely plain. bold de-
sign Of the Tomb Of the Unknown Sol
dier. France has buried her unknown
hero beneath the famous Arc de Tri-
onph. the British Empire has honored
hers by p1ecing the symbolic body Of
her unknown soldier in the historic
Westminster Abbey, where he keeps
company with kings and poets and
statesmen which have distinguished the
Anglo-Saxon race, but it is doubtful in
country dedicated as is ours. to life,
liberty and the pursuit Of happiness" il
another spot could be more fittingly
chosen. The great expanse Of country
about breathes the very spirit Of free
dom The ground SLOPES far down to
the Potomac River, with richly clad
hills surrounding. You look over the
tomb to memorials to two other ma
tional heroes, the heaven pointing tr-
umph of marble shafts and the dignity
and beauty which combined make the
Lincoln Memorial rise so majestically
across the water. The Tomb Of the
Unknown Soldier is Of plain white stone,
reverence enshrined in Americas heart
for her unknown hero. for there is no
inscription on the tomb itself. Here is
carved imperishably our gratitude as
Nation to all those who, regardless Of
their rank or position in the Army or
Navy or private life. paid the supreme
sacrifice. An officer may be buried
here. but greater honor than to a liv
ing general is gratefully rendered per-
Ma ,<Nr
birth nor position count here; only an
heroic death. AS silently YOU stand in
civilian salute 1t seems as though you
are not alone. All that countless host
who obey the highest impulse in man
impassioned love for country - gladly
having given their all as their greatest
privilege, are nearby, unseen comrades.
Your choking is not An emotion OF
which to be ashamed.
\ X +
Row on row" white crosses. mark
ing the graves of the soldiers and
sailors Of the World War. mute testi-
mony Of the Unknown Soldiers bud
dies giving their lives. make an un-
forgettable impress upon mind and
heart. BY their very Simplicity-only
the name and branch of service, sur
mounted by a small Maltese cross or
star-these unpretentlouS yet dlgnl-
fed stones, uniform in size and shape
and design, make a supreme appeal.
Thinking OF scenes overseas, once
again seeming to see the faces, to
hear CHEEKY laughs. voices long still
ed, all Of which even in memory had
been crowded out by the push and
progress OF the bustling everyday
world, here Is q profound peace and
a triumphant assurance Of what is
worth while. the choosing to die for
q noble cause, not to live In COM
placent, selfish security. You stand
In the presence OF the mystery of the
ages, death; you are taken out of
yourself into a truth transcending
human knowledge and experience,
immortal life. Your heart is one with
the Unknown Soldier, and his peace
yours.
ROSCOE CoNKLING HATCH.