The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-12-17

ceived American ideals to be OF such
lofty character and expressed :hat
conception with such emphatic
faith as has this man. 1t was he
who, at the time when nobody
dreamed that the most stupendous
war in history would soon be up
on the world, declared; "My dream
is that America will come into the
full light of the Gay when all shall
know that SIC puts human rights
above all other things and that her
flag is the flag not only of America
but OF humanity 1t was his dream
and his faith. Il believe he de-
clared, that America has lifted high |
the light which will shine unto all
generations and guide the feet OF
mankind to the goal OF justice and |
liberty and peace - That was his |
conception OF America, spoken at
the very shrine of liberty-Inde
pendence Hall, Philadelphia-a spot
which he declared to be holy ground
which no dishonest man should dare
to tread upon. There was no world
war then. The whole world was at
peace. There was no "fervor OF the
times to move him to unusual ut
terance. He spoke with sober de-
but with the zeal OF
mighty faith
= y
The question that should arise in
the minds Of Americans now is,
Are we worthy OF this man." Has
he conceived us truly and is his
great faith justified? "Practical
men, are saying that this man is
an "idcalist" in a tone that carries
with it the idea that he is therefore
untrustworthy. They are Struggling
their shoulders and shaking their
heads in doubt over the principles
he has emancipated. Men calling
themselves Americans are doing
this. Which more truly represents
America, this "idealst' or the "prac-
tical men" who smile in sophisticat-
ed fashion at his ideals? 1t is for us
to answer that question by the sup
port we give him. The masses OF
Europe are hailing him today as
''the champion of their aspirations
toward justice and liberty" When
they hail him thus, do they hail !
America also? Is this mighty ma
ton the light-bearer that Woodrow
Wilson has conceived it to be? Is
its flag in very truth the flag OF
humanity? Can the masses OF Eu-
rope say that America also "personi-
fies the ideals OF liberty and the
rights OF man" and that America
is "the champion OF their aspirations
towards justice and liberty?'
Ii the practical men" speak the
ruth there is doubt as TO the answer
% those questions. They declare
that we did not go forth to fight
,or the ideals enunciated by Presi-
lent Wilson. They say we fought
% protect our commerce and the
ives OF our citizens on the high
,eas, and to destroy the power that
nenaced them-only that and moth
ing more. They say that those
hings have been accomplished and
hat Woodrow wilson has no busi-
less in Europe and that he does
lot represent the views OF the
american people. Do they say true?
Which OF the two represents Ameri-
"a?
We can only express our own faith.
t is thatthe heart OF America beats
rue to the ideals OF Woodrow Will
on. 1t is that when the masses OF
europe hail our president as the
hampton OF their aspirations to-
Yard justice and liberty they hail
he very spirit OF America. 1t is
hat in this great hour America will
1stify not only the faith OF Wood
ow Wilson, but the faith OF the
len who in prayerful labor laid the
OF this Republic. :