Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-08-21
One Year Ago

one year ago we were IN the mlost OF
. hot political campaign. We saw not
the agonies Of tortured nations in Eu-
and earth to succor Our speakers were
shouting here and speeding there to
shout again, the tremendous issues Of
the politics of a democratic govern
ment. We were at each others
throats", politically. and were as fully
aroused" as we are today over the
possibility of our enemy overthrowing
our allies before we can become effect
i've. and leaving US with the years long
undertaking of conquering a blood
blinded and war hardened fighting
autocracy.
A year ago we were being kept out
Of war" In the closing hours of the
national campaign. nine months ago,
the slogan he kept us out of war" won
the people. The candidate shrewdly
saw and interpreted we'll the American
horror Of handing over its sons for
cannon fodder for the roaring war-ma-
chinery of the nation that has been liv-
ing war for half century.
On Sunday last Augusta said good
bye 10 1000 noble sons who were called
to take the first leg of the race to the
trenches. AS we saw strapping sons
strain mothers and wives TO their
hearts for a moment and then dash for
the troop trains to hide manly emotion,
we thought Of the mockery of nine
months ago-"he has kept us out Of
war"-as though that protection were
implied for all time, and that while this
man should remain at the helm our
warfare would not mattter--we should
be kept out of war"
One year ago. two years of war had
fed and not so much as a bayonet had
been sharpened or pound of powder
made-because we were to be kept out
of war" (until after electionD. But af-
ter the excitement of election was over
the American people took account Of
themselves and became. manifestlv.
ashamed Of their own selfishness, lack
Of patriotism. cowardliness. They had
elected a President on those three rec
concentrations (as a national ground)-
he was TOO proud to fight" whatever
the provocation. however sure the dis
aster to result.
Eight months ago the real American
spirit began to show out Of the dis
ripatIng fog of partisan politics. We
lad begun to think Of the future-what
our children must inherit from u.s. the
squandered trust of our ancestors.
We are no longer kept out of war"
Events have moved with amazing
sviftness. We are no longer the hide
bound, selfish people exploiting our
brothers over the sea for the last dollar
in war profits"
We have taxed ourselves billions.
We are loaning billions to our allies
We have ordered one Of the greatest
navies n the world-prohahly the most
efficient when completed.
We are TO expend $40. 900, 900 on an
air fleet.
We are to feed finance, fuel, NUM-
ton and supply our allies.
We are providing ships to overcome
the destruction by Germany's undersea
murderers
We already have an air feet manned
by Americans in France. bombarding
the enemy's forces.
We have called hundreds Of thous-
ands of the most perfect physical and
mental specimens Of American man
hood and We are training and sending
them TO the front.
One year ago today we were being
kept out Of war; today we are max
ing the world safe for democracy"
The isolation of which we have
boasted is gone. Our dream of uni
versal peace has led to making a
peace. by force of arms. that cannot be
broken