New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-05

human beings, has co6perated in a gigantic
neighborhood test of individual obliga-
tons, emotions and ideals and has come
out of the test finer and stronger, surer of
itself and its future.
This process Of test and service begun
before the exemption boards will reach
its intense and final ordeal in the camps
which lie beyond yesterdays parades. We
wonder how many Americans realize just
what amazing institutions, utterly unique
in our history, these camps will be.
Americans arc fond of the melting pot
smile. But we seldom think of its terms
accurately. We take it too easily for
granted that cold metal will fuse, that
the mere grind of labor and the occasional
duty of citizenship will by some magic
produce the condition of fired and liquid
mass. Here to-day, at Iaphank, for the
nearest example, we are to see true
melting pot for one of the few times IN
our history. We are to see Americans OF
every creed and color and race and ma
terial success forged into unified weapon
under stress of one of the purest and
finest emotions known to man.
There will be the truest democracy at
these citizen camps. The officers, from
Plattsburg and the other training camps,
are themselves fresh from civilian life.
They will be learning, like the men under
them. Those men will receive swift promo
ton the instant they show ability to learn
and lead. Only thus can the mob become
an army. Thousands of officers, commits
stoned and non-commissioned, must be
chosen from the men who marched up
Fifth Avenue yesterday. Yaphank will be
all America on a lesser scale-Amerlca
free and equal. as our ideal has it, and our
hopes fondly look for it increasingly to
become.
1t is well to look backward to-day and
recall the doubts with which consumption
was first proposed and later enacted. The
democratic nature Of the plan was slow to
he appreciated. There were builded count
less fears of opposition, of riots, of blood
she'd Never, we think, has a great democ-
racy shown greater self-control, greater
ability to reason and understand and de-
eide swiftly, and, once resolved, to exc
cute strongly and well, than IN this
mighty venture.
And by its effort the nation has won the
fneness Of its sacrifice. In the face of the
manufactured sedition that constantly
rears its head the country has gained
steadily in unity, in resolve, in devoted
patriotism. Toward that advance the draft
has contributed greatly, and will contribute
more. The lot of every American is equal
to-day. Our fortunes are pooled, our fate
is single. Henceforth there is but one
American army, our army of citizens,
bearing with their colors equal honor and
glory and affection.
1t is a stern sacrifice that we ask Of
the youth who marched yesterday No one
can think Of that column without tears.
But we shall try to feel for them as we
are coming to feel Of our whole vast ma
tional sacrifice in the war-that there can
be no exalted emotion without the highest
sacrifice; that the soul, whether of an in
dividual or of a nation, can grow only by
fire. We are prouder Of our America to-
cay than ever before in our lives. We are
prouder than words can say Of the eager
young men who step forth to fight. But
there could be no pride there would be no
rev and purer and better America to-day,
save for the very peril, the last measure of
sacrifice which our nation, for the right
as it sees it, stands ready to give. By the
shining faces Of our youth who march, they
feel if they do not say this. May we in
our grief never fall below their courage
and example,