The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-06-05
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS
Registration.

me united States as a whole has not yet grasped the significance of our entry into the great conflict.
 But in 12 hours the question will be transferred from the academic to the real, from the study to the field, for millions will have an object lesson in the first step of preparedness in the selection of an army.
 The time for peace talk is over. The hour for superficial opinions is passed. Root thinking is in demand. Convictions must crystalline into action; power is de- manded. Registration will show the man power.
 The average American believes in power, knows power when he sees it and having a very clear notion that power makes history, is going to put be- hind the President every ounce of avail able power, so that the Kaiser may feel it's full strength at the earliest possible moment
 Birmingham is preparing for a great day It's to be different kind of a day from any 1t has yet had since the country entered the war. It's to be greater and more sacred than Liberty Day. That was to glorfy the past. It was to call up the history of our forefa thers. Registration Day is to make history. It will show our sons as heroes.
 Yes, Registration Day is intended to get the men between the ages of 21 and 30, inclusive, to fearlessly face the call of their country; to face the rising wave of patriotism The war spirit is an actual psychic fact-it moves men and nations are swept by it. We are at war and we must wage war until there is an end to dynasties that make marauding war a business.
 America has at last been caught in the tragic disaster which has overtaken Flu rope. We can no longer boast of our splendid isolation. This country must fight to help preserve democracy against the ruthless programme of autocraey. We have a vital stake in helping to preserve and safeguard the struggling smaller nations that are being overrun by kaiserism. If the big brother stands idly by while the little brothers are be- ing beaten and deported-why, then, the big brother is little better than a weak ling
 There is good hope that when the wa.' is over gerat impetus will be given to democracy throughout the world as reward to the marvellous spirit of herosm and self-sacrfice which this great con- flict has developed in all countries fight ing autocracy.
 Nations do not die of war, unless they are exterminated, and this is not possible or hardly possible at present. America does not enter the conflict to destroy any nation, but to weaken the power of the stronger dynasties which seek to ensave the smaller nations. America does not stand for the obliteration of any nations; it aims at including them and linking them together in the bonds Of true relationship as set forth in the pro- gramme of the League to Enforce Peace.
 The visit of the distinguished statesmen and publicity men from England, France and Italy to the United States is a tremendously significant affair with far-reaching consequences. England
 mudding her way through, France being bled, while Italy is scaling noun tains, and all fighting our battles Their pleading for help has caught the heart our bit.
 As I write groups of soldiers are pass ing beneath my window. They are regu- lars on their way to Gettysburg and then to France. When Germany made lunge for Paris, the French knew their destiny; they understood that they were generation sacrificed-"s sacrificed, which means that from the very begin ming it accepted this sacrifice to which it felt itself predestned."
 And now we have seen and heard J fire the man who stopped the Ger ! Mame, and thereby added another chap ter to the grandeur of France and hu- man liberty and kept intact for his race and humanity the ringing words of the revolution. Liberty equality, frater- nity.' I say it's just that Americans should respond to Joffre's plea for aid and it ought to make the blood of every 1 true Arnelican jingle with pride that our boys will fight on French soil side by side with the gallant descendants of La Fayette. who stood by us in our hour Of peril.
 | And SC we go into this war singing no hymns of hate, with no thought of con ! quest of territory, free from schemes of trade promotion, but to uphold and pre- serve the liberties handed down to us i by our forefathers and to pass them on I to others.
 | Yes today is a sacred day. It will live long in our memories. Our people have seen unforgetable things. Many of our 1 young men have crossed the Rubicon. !, Let us who stay behind see to it that the men in the camps, trenches or on the firing 4lino have everything sneedful. A. x<frh %. A @