Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-29
America .AMakcS.

W|HAT arc called moral values have
w gained a new Significance in this war
possibly because. on one side of the great
conflict. they have been so frequently dis
regarded When America. ON the wings Of
President Wilson'S deathless phrases swept
onto the field Of battle. the moral value" OF
this accession TO the ranks Of autocracy'S foes
was proclaimed and acclaimed in every cap
ital of the world
But the action of Congress Yesterday
rivaled in Significance and moral force the
earlier declaration of war. A great and peace
loving people. not habituated to war. little
comprehending wars dreadful sacrifice. not
yet fully awakened to the consequences OF
its own action. but yet realizing that il was
al grips with the enemy of mankind. consc-
Grated its whole manhood to democracy's
cause. Here is a moral value which Ger
many will not fail TO appraise.
Never before. perhaps. has there been in
so short q time so complete a revolution i'm
popular sentiment. Two years ago the pro-
ponents and propaGandists Of compulsory ser
vice in this country were laughed to scorn
A little over year ago it was found impos-
sible to get through the Congress any measure
providing for universal training. The con-
tinental army plan of the then Secretary of
War Mr.. Garrison was completely based
on the volunteer system as was the National
Guard plan, which ii opposed and which
finally triumphcd. The sentiment for com
puisory service was negligible. |, did not
muster corporals guard in Senate and
House. and the country derided it,
But in the stress and storm of this las,
year we have seen light. 1t has become
increasingly clear TO increasing large num-
bers Of the people that universal and COM
pulsory military service was essential TO tho
national security--that international good
morals offered no assurance Of peace and
that peace must be upheld By the strong
arms of Il united population
his conviction made its way through Con-
Gress II found Judgment and sympathy in
the once OF nearly every influential news
paper in the land. Chambers of Commerce
associations OF merchants and manufacturers
bankers. lawyers. clergymen labor leaders
gave IL their approval. Its sanity and democ-
racy, It's fairness. its feasibility, its fitness to
meet the national need, all of which had been
vigorously and dramatically criticized and
opposed. became obvious. When President
wilson. faced with the duty OF conducting 4
war against the chief military power OF The
world became convert to the system and
threw into the scales the weight of his high
office and his extraordinary personal influence
the passage Of the general staff bill became
assured
When, on April 9. he told Congress thar
the armies 10 he raised should. in my opinion
De CHOSEN upon the principle of universal
!'aolh'Y TO service, The Times Dispatch be-
came convinced that the principle to which it
mad long been committed would become in
due course. the law of the land The ONLY
danger was delay. and that danger has been
put aside. The differences between the House
"hu oehate measures arc not vital, and they
VIII be snloOthed out in conference Before
this week passes the bill should receive tho
Presidents signature. and the actual work of
ralslnG the great armies for which il pro-
Vldes be begun America is awake al last