South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-01-01
January 1, 1910.
THE NATIONS NEW YEAR AND
THE OLD LEAF TURNED DOWN

For many ages man has been in the habit of adding
up his accounts the dawn o. year, reviewing
the road he has already travelled casting specu
lative the future far as ne can discern H.
Not in at least one hundred years has he had much
food for thought much reason for hopes and fears
as today when he stands on the threshold Of 1915
It is just one hundred years ago that the world
emerged from long agony Of the Napoleonc night
mare realized price of stupendous sac
rhce democratic civilization saved from the most
sinister danger threatened since the days Of
Louis the Grand
Today the case democracy again at issue. over
two-thirds Of the world its ancient and deadlest foe
miltarsm-the law Of nights insurgent. In blood
in tears in the anguish o and little children
amid the ruins shattered and devastated cities
spirit Of freedom and progress stands once more
at bay.
1t would be folly of the worst and most dangerous
kind for US here America to fail to realize or TO
minimize share this world agony. to imagine
because we have far spared the horrors of
actual warfare that the less affected by the
catacysm within the warning nations II the rest of
the world passing through the testing furnace, we
being tried; and if fail although our pun
ishment may deferred, IT will be none the less sure
old things passing Old ideas ideals be-
ef superstions the accumulated dross of centuries
being burned away in the fiery ordeal of war In
the light Of the blaze Of this great burning we are
granted an opportunity to realize our own weaknesses
inecencies hypocraces selhshness, thoughtlessness
The false gods have been to wor-
ship the shadows Of ignorance and sloh stand out
clearly ugliness and cruelty for those who
will to mark What going to do with this
revelation?
Now is the accepted time. II down these
idols If these evils and vicious things
we may escape the publication by fire that brothers
passing through.
The heart of America beats true. her her
daughters cherish sublime ideals which birth
to this nation But luxury, uninterrupted prosperity
security have Obscured and dmed the light which
once cleaned so brightly a beacon of hope to all
the oppressed and Of the earth. We need new
spiritual birth, a faith RELOCATING of the
things that Caesars to Caesar. a dedication
to the service OF mankind
There a great question in the hearts the peoples
OF Europe today. 1t is the question that is going
be addressed to us a question which we will not dare
which be able. evade. When her
guish is at last ended. Europe will and say:
What part did YOU play in great day Of
expiatiOn? For hundred years and more you
have drawn from the best of my Drawn and
brain, -ou have Iured children with the be
lief that you could satisfy their longngs for lib
erty have announced yourself the cham
piOn OF the oppressed the haven Of the down
trodden and Have you held o your
ideals? Have you kept the faith that was in
you. have you shrunk from the vindication OF
ySur leadership? Have you ninched when asked
80 pay the cost of your high pretensons?"
IL is time, indeed, that had accounting 1t is
time that we examined into what answer we shall give
when that inevitable question is Numbered at from
brothers the 1t will be justification
10 point to such overlooking abundance
little cost 10 a few sufferers in some Belgium or Serbia
The dole from the rich mans heavily laden Golfers
will never be accounted To him for righteousness
Have made any sacrifice for the right
Il? Have proclaimed the truth was given TO us
know II without fear favor. without thought
to the consequences OF such proclamation?
When all things material and spiritual were being
weighed in the balance. what extent minds
hearts directed the what extent
10 the spiritual2
Have the sky scrapers of Wall obscured the slopes
OF Valley Forge?
We almost afraid that il has