Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-10-06
PROCESSES OF PURIFICATION

WV GCoItO VT Il UNIT IVA IOLN
FNHERIl is German philosophy. unfor-
tunately dominant in the Empire, that
war is a purifying process, as necessary
occasionally as an emetic and productive
OF limitIess good in the upbunding of
character. It is a vicious doctrine,
making, as it does, war something to be
pursued and wooed and not to be avoided,
1t is. in fact, perversion of the principle
that sacrifice is good for individual or
nation. The fallacy in it is the assump.
tlon that only by war can such sacrifice
become national in its scope.
We do not believe. for instance, that
this war is I'm itself a desirable thing for
the United States. It is justified only
because it is necessary and because Of its
IEreat objective. Yet we are not so foolish
as TO assume that no good results will
fiow from it. 1t is apparent. On the con-
trary, that already the pulse of the nation
beats more firmly and its spirit is more
sure because of the enormous task we
have to perform. Men do not leave their
wives and families, give up their business
and go into camps without impressing all
who know them with the nobility Of
patriotism and the superior Importance Of
duty. There are persons who have gone
through life without giving thought to
anything but their personal convenience.
They now find their wants subordinated
10 national necessities, and they meet the
new condition with a serenity and high
purpose that thrill other citizens. There
is not a home with a representative in
the national service arms that the mem.
bers of It do not therefore hold their heads
a little higher and feel n new and more
intimate participation in governmental
sctiyity
IL is truism that no man gets more
out of life than he puts into it. Neither
does a nation. We love the things we
have suffered for. Our devotion TO an
ideal is often in direct proportion to what
we have given up in support of that ideal
country we have fought for is more
than ever our own country, and our love
for it grows according TO the service that
we give.
No family that does without to buy a
Liberty Bond, and thus does its share to
finance the war lacks adequate return.
The interest on the money is important
but it is not a decisive influence When
responsibility is personal and fixed, men
measure up to 1t. 1t draws strength from
dried-up cells and invigorates the soul
The greatest men of the world have been
those who went down into the depths be-
fore they went up TO the heights, and
the anguish of the woman is an augury
OF the mother-love that no other love
rivals in its devotion.
Luxury ruined Rome because lux
ury outlawed sacrifice and people
who do not know sacrifice are a peo-
pie destined for the scrap heap. II
IS the glory OF America that in this
crisis her men and women of wealth have
been as quick as the poor to dedicate their
lives TO the defense Of the nation. We
have been taught and have learned that
the energies of man can be expended bet
ter than in the promiscuous slaughter of
other men. The wealth Of the nation is
the evidence Of past devotion 10 peaceful
ideals Battles for success in a peaceful
world are as glorious as any ever fought
on the tented field. But that we should
be able to change in few months from
the peaceful nation we were into the
mighty and militant war machine now
under construction is a remarkable
example Of our power of adaptation and
Of the inherent stability ana strength Of
the national character.
The United States win show a record
81 preparedness and achievement" said
Hscretary Baker yesterday that viii
thailenge the worlds admiration we
DO not doubt II, and purified democracy
VIM emerge from the conflict II will be
I1> parihcation OF national sacrifice and
4eFotlon.