The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-10-14
Peoples Forum
After This War. what?-u.

Sir,--In your issue Of last Sunday.
October I. you published for me an
article under the caption. After This
War. what" 1t has occurred TO me
that the following suggestions. having,
as J am persuaded, something Of the
practical and constructive In tone.
might be helpful
If the major effort of the allies does
not utterly fail; II the cause for which
we are contending is not to come to
grief and disaster--nay Ito change
the sentence while 1t is in the max
ing), whatever may happen as the
immediate international issue-we of
this country should certainly have "a
saner, truer. stronger spirit Of nation
alism. and a broader and clearer con-
ception of the interdependence OF all
cf our enterprises and interests
The people of these United States
should have n tremendously improved
and adanced sense or our vast and
weighty responsibilities as "A people.
We should far more quickly and clear
ly perceive and far more profoundly
feel that our position. our resources
our traditions, our history. our pro-
fessed aims and idenls units to thun-
der forth In one mighty voice the
great and solemn word, responsibility
All the world should have q radi-
caly and thoroughly revised and re-
constructed scale OF relative apprafse-
ments OF valuations. Universally life
should be put at the head OF the list
OF treasures. and all else should be
lated in proportion as it ministers to
life.
II should not need to be said that
there ts likely Il. l3e-.--ar1si most cer4
tainiy should be-less of prodtgaiitv
and waste--a more intelligent and be-
coming economy.
increased strength, readiness. en-
durance, courage. maniIness should
BEN those who survive-among the
effects of the discipline to which men
are subjected in order to service In
army or navy. while both the dis
cipline and the devotion and LOYALTY
OF these brave men can not be with
out wholesome and stimulating inffu-
ence upon the characters of those
Tor whom sailors and soldiers dare
and do the utmost.
The civilized world should better
understand that the wrongdofng of
one~-one nation--of one individual
may crievously hurt, or even destroy
many. We are so bound together by
inlsible but real and indissoIuble and
mighty and sacred bands, What zeal
Gus carefulness there should be lest
reparabie injury a single unjust
word or blow may suddenly release
uncomfortable agencies of world en-
circling destruction
Far more certainly and promptly
should the intelligent among men
perceive the unwisdom Of sensuous-
ness, and of inhdelity, and of that
naterlaHstic so-called philosophy
whlch either--in mans thought
pushes God out of His universe. or
leaves Him entangled and powerless
within its laws and forces and con-
dittons
That Righteousness exalteth a ma
ton but sin is u reproaeh to any
people" is being rewritten for all man !
klnd~-written once more IN charac-
tiers OF blood and fire, Shall we not
have learned 1t now? May not hu-
manity be expected to read it now In
the light Of the devastating flames of
these most horrible days and nights
ana months and years-yea, so to
read 1t as TO remember and heed IL?
Verify. If we are far-seeing and
sincere and worthily unselfish we
shall now and evermore address our
selves with increased enthusiasm and
ardor TO the one central and saving
task-the task OF bringing human |
government and industry, art, science. |
philosophy, education, the home-the
whole Of life with all of its activities
ana interests-under the control of /
the teachings Of Him who said with
All authority: "Ali things Whatsoever
ye would that men should do unto
you, even so do we also unto them.
with what measure We measure II
nan be measured unto you" They
hat take the sword shall perish with
he sword; Peace I leave with Won.
My peace l give unto you: Love
one another; Love your enenies'
f. W WINFREY.
Culpeper. Va, Oct 0. 1