to the tomb. The
General and his fellow officers stood at salute while the orderlies were
placing the wreath of roses on the marble slab that marked the final
resting place of the brave and brilliant young French soldier.

In spite of the simplicity of the beautiful ceremony, however, the
enthusiastic people of Paris felt that somehow they must express their
appreciation of the tender and dignified tribute to one of their honored
dead. Great throngs lined the streets through which the party passed,
while a vast concourse assembled in the vicinity of Picpus Cemetery.
Their quickly aroused sentiments had been deeply stirred. A glimpse of
the passing American General was sufficient to deepen this appeal and
the cheers that greeted the Americans were fervent and heartfelt.

The third day was to be the last of the formal ceremonies. General
Pershing paid the formal and official calls expected of him, had
luncheon with Marshal Joffre and then visited the French Senate. As soon
as he and Ambassador Sharp were discovered in the diplomatic box, every
senator sprang to his feet and the cheering was loud and long--"Vive
l'Amerique!" "Vive l'Pershing!" It almost seemed as if the dignified
senators were determined to make their salvos louder and more genuinely
enthusiastic than any that had yet been heard by the distinguished
visitor. Again and again General Pershing bowed in acknowledgment of his
generous reception.

At last when the senators once more took their seats, Premier Ribot
referred to the presence of the soldier from the United States and
called upon M. Viviani to speak in acknowledgment of the event. Eloquent
as Viviani is known to be, it is said that never had his words been
more expressive or appealing than on this momentous occasion. Repeatedly
he was compelled to pause and wait for the applause to cease before he
was able to continue his address. In his final words he referred to his
own recent visit to the United States and in vivid phrases pictured the
conditions as he had found them there. The ideals of civilization, the
rights of free peoples, the heritage received from sires who had dearly
paid for that which they bequeathed their children were to be defended
and upheld. Savagery, brutality, disregard for national and individual
rights were to be overthrown. Because of the ideals under which the
United States had been reared and the freedom the nation had enjoyed the
people were determined to share in the bat