The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-04-07
of hearts fired with patriots devotion
and tfnsccrated purpose


and conscerated purpose.
The grim spectre of war has no
charms for the God favored land.
'ghose Victories OF peace are more al
.ariag than tho carnage conque5ts in
rpired by revenge or coveted addi-
tional territory. There has been
voiced n fervent prayer from .he
American bcart, while the fields OF
/ Europe are being saturated with blood
| in the creates. Of AIMED conflicts,
| that our own beautiful land might not
become involved In any international
complications that would lead us Into
1.-THE conflict. Many peace-loving pa
itriots have thought that we have been
too forbcaring when the cruel darts
Of Germany struck down American
/ lives and property on the high sc..s
and there has been much criticism o:
| our presidents policy of watchfui
waiting. But the limit of endurance
was reached and the hour OF rcsolute.
decisive action was struck, and thus
+. the End day of April. 1917. became
! epochal In the life OF America and of
1.-THE world. and Woodrow Wilson wrote
his name indelibly on civilizations
sky.
/ Air OF SoIc1nnity Marks Day.
! An air of sole.anity marked the day
| in the capital city of the worlds
! greatest nation. Every incoming
train bore its quota OF citizens. drawn
hither by the momentous issue OF the
; day. The American colors were every
where floating on the breeze and worn
! by teeming thousands of men and
women. The peace propagandists
wore their insight Keep us out of
war" and were in evidence. But there
was no uolsome demonstration, no
blaze or bands, no evidence of hyste-
ria. AS the hour Of high noon APP
preached. thousands wendell their way
to the Capitol, but only a comparative
~ few could be accommodated In the
galleries. The stately building in which
tho congressman have their offices was
hesjcgcd by constituents, who solicited
cards OF admission to the gallery.
/ rom the east steps of the Capitol a
beautiful panorama greeted the eye.
The morning throng of pedestrians.
the hundreds of automobiles. the sea
Of unfurled flags, was inspiring. With
in the Capitol the Hobbies were crowd
cd. Disappointments at inability TO
secure admission to the galleries was
borne uncomplainingly. One lady
with ten-year-old girl, comforted the
chiid's disappointment with the cheer
| ing words. Never mind when you
grow up you can say you were here
today" \ portly female representa-
tive OF the peace propagandists hoist
ca an umbrella when it was not rain
ing and the sun was obscured by
clouds. and onsconced herself COM
! placently On Il ledge of the Capitol
steps. There were young and old
manned and whole. itch and poor,
lawyers, DOCTORS educators. farmers.
mechanics laboring men women
dressed in tho seasons fashion and
those plain clad. The house gallery
was crowded with those fortunate
enough to be privileged to witness the
assembling of the epochal congress.
And splendid decorum marked the
bearing OF the ti4rongs
This scribe, accompanied by his wife
and friend. on an afternoon sight
seeing tour. were returning along the
government highway from beautiful
Arlington, just as the rim of the sun
neared the horizon. and the view Of
the monument. the Capitol and the
many public buildings in the distance
seemed more beautiful in the contem-
platiye mood that this day would so
down in history as a redletter day
for American honor and the worlds
abiding peace As tho evening shad-
ows gathered the great dome of the
Capitol was Illuminated with hun
dreds of arc lights within and made
.radi@nt without by a concentration Of
STEADY and strong searchiiShts. Later
the president entered the house and
delivered his masterful message that
hreathed the true American spirit of
| undylng devotion to the principles OF
| freedom for the nations and mankind,
and the applause that greeted ii was
heard around the world
, stand by the president" is the
watchword of the hour, and it's trans
lation in American aud worldwide
peace and liberty.
The hour has struck A supine
yielding to injustice does not make for
|. peace passive sympathy with conf
batants now stalking their all for the
enthronement of liberty throughout
civilization and in which this country
Is interested, would be cowardly, Bet
ter present and effective war than i'm :
periled or crippled civilization and a
nominal peace with no resting place
for the bird of liberty II 1t Is war,
1T Is a war of defense and not of lust
a war for the salvation Er1d permanent
obedience of peace, Without quib-
bling over distractions. America
should and will gloriously rally to the
clarion call of her chief magistrate,
who has patiently and prayerfuiy
sought to preserve he nation from
hostilities and who now as hrayeiy and
prayerfully calls Amercs, to defense
fui arms for the preservation of those
principles of peace and righteousness,
which have ever been the inspiration
} of the land Of tho free and the home
OF the brave" and the hope of the
worlds abiding peace,
!. W. NJ. BICkERS.
Il