New-York tribune., 1917-08-31
After Words, Deeds

th,. .itv should see passing in review De-
Cor. them The soldiers Of their own state
vho ara TO carry to France the flag and
The pirit Of America. 1t was the rlghC
thing that there should be brought home
% millions Of people the fact that all the
Bsbl. words which Mr.. Wilson had ut
t.yss derived their power and their mean
ips from the readiness Of American eiti-
Gems TO give their lives to make them good
with the Presidents message we have
passsd to q new phase. We approach tne
momsnt when America will take up her
mart Of the burden Of saving civilization
,r,, Cerman barbarism and humanity
from Teutonic force. All the words IN
-. voyld would be idle II it we're not for
The fact that they were backed by brave
and LOYAL men like those who marehea
Yesterday to give to them reality and
strength.
With Mr.. Wilson's message the pros
meet Of immediate peace, Of premature
psses. is dissipatsd. There are weary
months Of hghting and Of suffering ahead
sor the world before the goal can be
realized. and we are now 70 pay the price
~ those brave and lofty ideals which we
have proclaimed from the beginning OF
mr. national life, often on the battlefield.
with the passing Of the New York diyi-
sion to camp, which Is but a prelude to
foreign service, the war must take on Tor
an Of us q sterner and more vital char
sc,sr. Rencegorth, FOR a long time per-
hans. Il viii not be statesmen who VIII
carry on the great debate. It must be
fbsse whom we love, whom we saw yes
,srday marching away in the strength ot
manhood and in the courage Of detormina-
ton ,gho will negotiate for as and for the
world the only peace that is worth while.
II Il more than three years since the
manhood Of France marched to the front.
Il is more than a year since most Of the
vs,,th and manhood Of Britain disappeared
into that fog which one still deseriocs
a. Somewhere in France" They went
70 battle and 70 death these men Of France
and Of Britain have borne the heat OF
,hs cay on ali the battlefslds that lie from
ths Marne to the newest turned trench in
FLANDERS; but they left behind them other
and only lesser duties to be performed by
those who we're not able to share in the
gseater work
And it is for us now who have been left
behind 70 take up the tasks that are near
eat and win make easics the work Of those
who are Offering their lives that their ulti-
mate triumph may be surer, and their
present condition better. They have gone
forth 20 war for a great cause and noble
principles. We who have stayed at home
must find other ways 20 serve the same
eauss. We shall fail them who have not
failed us 4 we do not make the moment Of
their departure the beginning Of a better
dedication 70 national service and 70 the
simpler, smaller but useful tasks that lie
at our hands.
And above al we saould give them that
encouragement which they deserve, the
encouragement which comes from the con-
sclousnsss Of a united nation sharing in
their sufIerings. sharing in their priva-
fions and striking down every unworthy
suggestion Of an ignoble peace, a. tksy
are aRhting every effort Of brute force 20
conquer on the field.
We owe Il 10 those who have gone 70
the front and are 70 70 70 the front to see
70 Il hat no weakness, no sslfshnsss no
lmpatienes At our own hardships or our
own diseomforts shall lead US 10 weaken
the arms Of those who fight for us, or in
crease The tasks Of those who are TO die
that We and all we love may live, not
\ merely IN peace, but IN the enjoyment Of
that liberty which has come down 10 US
from other generations.
More than fifty years have passed since
this country saw is manhood 70 forth 20
battle IN such numbsra as are nov goiag.
The greatest sacrifice that has ever been
asked Of the American people BY united