Solemn promise by Warren G. Harding

ARLINGTON, Va. On this hallowed ground, where rest America's heroic dead, President Harding today gave solemn promise to the nation and to the world that the "sacrifice of the millions dead shall not be in vain."

"There must be, there shall be, the commanding voice of a conscious civilization against armed warfare," the president said. He spoke across the flag-draped bier of the unknown soldier, buried here with regal honors, not alone to the representatives of America's people, but to the highest emissaries of the world's great powers, gathered here on the eve of the conference called to stem the tides of future wars.

"To the defenders who survive, to mothers who sorrow, to widows and children who mourn," the president voiced the prayer "that such sacrifice shall be asked again."

As though looking into the faces of the courageous dead, the president's eyes swept across the slopes, where multitudes of tiny headstones rose in numberless roses and echoed "the prayers of all people that this armistice day shall mark the beginning of a new and lasting era of peace on earth, good will among men."

One who loves justice

"I speak not as a pacifist fearing war," the president said, "but as one who loves justice and hates war. I speak as one who believes the highest function of government is to give its citizens the security of peace, the opportunity to achieve, and the pursuit of happiness.

"The loftiest tribute we can bestow today -- the heroically earned tribute -- fashioned in deliberate conviction, out of unclouded thought neither shadowed by by shortcomings nor made vain by fancies, is this commitment of this republic to an advancement never made before. If American achievement is a cherished pride at home, if our unselfishness among nations is all we wish it to be, and ours is a helpful example of the world, then let us give of our influence and strength. Yea, of our aspirations and convictions to put mankind on a little higher plane, exulting and exalting with war's distressing and depressing tragedies barred from the stage of righteous civilization."

"He died unquestioning, uncomplaining, with faith in his heart and hope on his lips, that his country should triumph and its civilization survive," President Harding said in simple eulogy of the soldier dead. "He believes his to be a service destined to change the tide of human affairs. His patriotism was none less if he craved more than triumph of country, rather it was greater if he hoped for victory for all human kind. He cherished our national rights and abhorred the threat of armed dominion; and in the maelstrom of destruction and suffering he fired his shot for liberation of the captive conscience of the world."

"I can sense the prayer of our people," the president said in closing, "of all peoples, that this armistice day shall mark the beginning of a new era of peace on earth. Let me join in this prayer."

Bowing his head above the bier of the unnamed hero, the chief executive led the distinguished assemblage in the simple supplication of the lord's prayer.

Unforgettable scene

The great white marble amphitheater shining frostily in the feeble sun presented a scene of unforgettable beauty and splendor when the services opened.

The apse that held the body was a great, glorious mass of flowers. They came from the far ends of the earth in tribute to America's nameless hero -- roses from England, lilies from France, blossoms from everywhere.

Behind a mass of fragrance and color gleamed the brilliant uniforms and court trappings of the representatives of the great powers of the earth.

Oriental splendor of dress mingled with occidental in a profusion of color.

Beatty, the hero of Jutland, rubbed elbows with Briand, the premier of France. Diaz, who saved Italy at the Plave, stood beside the glittering generals and admirals from the far east.

The shiny black cassion, bearing the remains, drew up before the marble entrance sharply at 11:20 a.m. The body bearers stepped forward as the Marine band broke softly forth into the solemn beauty of Chopin's funeral march. The audience stood uncovered as the stalwart medal of honor men, with slow and solemn tread, bore their burden through the west entrance and round the right colonnade to the flower-covered apse. It was preceded only by the clergy and choir and followed by the pall bearers.