Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-20
"To Serve the Common Good"

paper in the circumstance that it's in
depreciation OF the countrs's duty has been
justified so completely by the words and ac-
tons Of President Wilson Colonel Roosc-
velt,s army is courteously. but definitely re-
jected, and the nation will send to France a
division OF its best troops. under an expert
enced and distinguished officer. whose SER
vices in war and peace entitle him to com.
mand.
In opposing the Roosevelt expedition. The
Times Dispatch was animated by its conyic-
ton that the flower Of the American army.
instead OF an unframed and undisciplined
mass OF volunteers. should carry the Ameri-
can flag TO the battle fields of France. To
make such n conviction accord with tho
Roosevelt scheme was impossible Colonel
Roosevelt has many fine qualities. and, as the
President says. lie has proved his gallantry
in many striking ways" but this was never
the question. What really should decide the
responsible officers Of government, in adopt
ing or rejecting any war policy, also is stated
by the President. This is not the time or
the occasion for compliment" he says "or
for any action not calculated to contribute
TO the immediate success of the war The
business now on hand is undramatic prac-
tical and OF scientific definiteness and pre-
csion. shall act.with regard to it, at every
step and in every particular, under expert
and professional advice from both sides the
water"
This is what the President has done AS
we'll in rejecting the Roosevelt tender as in
arranging to send an expeditionary force OF
trained soldiers to aid our French allies
That expert and professional advice" would
approve this course. even the unexpert and
unprofessional, when unswayed by excite
ment, partisanship OF too-ebullient affection
were capable Of understanding in advance
There remains the duty Of providing the
armies which must decide the war To dis
charge that duty the President and the War
Department have laid their plans with energy
and comprehensiveness The passage of the
selective draft measure assures plentiful
supply of men. The increase OF the regular
army to full war strength already has been
ordered. and is under way The whole Ma
tional Guard has been called into the Fed
eral service. with instructions to recruit also
TO war strength; with the plain intimat ion
also that. should there be any deficiency Of
volunteers the conscriptvc powers OF the
Federal and State governments will be en-
ployed TO fill the ranks.
On June the manhood OF the nation he
tween the ages Of twcnty-one and thirty in
elusive, will be enrolled for service What
that service shall be, whether in the field or
In the shop, or on the farm, will be deter
mined with strict regard to the capacity and
utility OF the individual man. In this war
all service is honorable, for this is a war of
pSoP'cS amer tHah OF armies. Dut every
Oh us must do his duty-again to quote the
Fresldent-in the endeayor that will best
serve the common good"
There must in truth be no breaks in the
ranks when the nation marches to serve the
common good. Perhaps there will be slack
ers but the contempt and scorn OF their
fellow citizens must seek them out and lash
them with whips Of scorpions. Youth should
thrili with pride that it lives in this age. and
mat the cause for which it is to fight is
inc cause OF humanity-the cause of civiliza-
ton itself. Sacrifice there must be-sorrow
and suffering and death-but high-spirited
ana chivarous youth will not quail
How sleep the brave who snf 10 roe,
i'E All their countrys wishes blcssd.