The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-12-18
A 0 r

In his famous poem, written when he was a young man,
"Locksley Hall" Tennyson turns prophet, and predicts a time
when the war drums should beat no longer, and when there
would be a parliament Of mana federation of the world.
Dimly, maybe, the afterward laureate saw this vision, but his
wonderful powers of expression enabled him to visualize it to
the world. 1t has not yet come, but the approaching peace con-
ference is a beginning which may herald in a world govern
ment. Not all the world will be represented, but the genesis
of all governments was the casual meeting of two or more men
These were serious-minded men, and they only made a begin
ming. Later on they attracted other men minded like them
selves, and these conferences grew in numbers and influence
until a government or law-making power was formed. The
coming peace conference may be the nucleus for a world gov
eminent or a parliament of man, as the poet saw it in his
dream. No matter how long the conference sits or how wide
a range it takes, it can only make a beginning-ah uneXtended
point. 1t cannot hope to complete its task. No human act
or accomplishment is complete. All are tuXional, veh1cular
and transitve. There is nothing static or adamantine. The
constitution Of the United States, which the great Gladstone
pronounced the greatest and most perfect work ever turned out
by the hand Of man in a given time, was not a complete work
We had to appoint a supreme court to interpret it, and tell us
Just what it meant, and we have been tinkcrng at it and amend
ing it almost ever since, a hundred years ago. The high council
should not feel disheartened on this account. Let the delegates
try to feel as did the sage of old, who declared: by the
. gods, it is in me, and it must out" Out it will. in time. And
while it may come near and fail, like the shepherd who perishes
in the snowdrift within a few feet of his own cabin, where
a fire burns cheerfuny, others will complete the task, On the
banks of the waters Of life, humanity is always perishng for
want of a drink. Nevertheless we must push forward and
strive for the desired goal, America will be a big factor in the
great council. Our trouble will, be in making our voice under
stood. Europe has been so calouscd and indurated by centuries
of Machiavellian diplomacy, regeneration and falsehood that it
may not now be pervious to direct, honest statement, coming
without guile or Interior purpose. 1t is something so unusual
and unaccustomed to the diplomats and statesmen Of Europe.
America will present the invulnerable essence Of democracy, and
our geographical immensely and lnidess wealth will dazzle the
imagination OF all beholders, and give Our message a potency
that cannot easily be resisted. 1t will take time, but this great
conference under the same or some new name will meet again
and again, and continue working on the problem Until it is
solved. 1t should have all the time necessary. At one crisis
in chronology there was a paucty of time, and the god Hermes
who must have been the original craps shooter-shook dice
with the moon and won from her a good many hours OF time
so that Osiris could be born; and a league Of nations which will
protect the weak against the strong and prevent future wars
will be a greater Osiris, a greater than any character in myth
o1arv IL chon11 Ia thn Ornyar NJ eNeryOn n a sufficient
number of extra hours be intercalated to enable the great com
mission to put its work on a firm foundation, where 't can stand
securely and grow. The high commissioners occupy exalted
thrones which must never be abdcated until men and women
are so organized that they can live without cutting each others
threats or destroying each others civilization and property.
Nominalism is well enough in its way for pragmatic or
utiltargn purposes, but ideahsm, while intangible, is a loftier
aspiration. and points the way to a possible or ultimate realism
Students of history who have passed the sixth grade will
not be too sanguine or expect too much from the deliberations
of mere men, great men though they be. They will be disposed
to believe that universal peace can be best maintained by letting
each nation follow its own national ideals.
Any attempt at exterior or collapsing pressure to bring
about conformity will result in failure, as it has always done
This was the fatal weakness in the Roman system of world
empire, and the chief element of strength in the British system
Of empire. England established her rule by letting subject po
pies alone as much as possible; not interfering with THEFT
religion or harmless customs. Just what the great conference
will do remains to be seen; but no matter what it does its
work will only be preliminary and tentative. 1t is one of the
greatest adventures into empircsm ever undertaken by the son:
of men, and that it will be fruitful and beneficent we shoulc
hope and pray.
Individuals have sought the betterment of mankind in
small way, and their modest beginnings have amounted to much
This is the first time in the worlds history that the civilization
and intelligence OF the leading nations OF the world ever me
together to attempt to benefit aot particular races or countries
but all mankind; and in time the Hun, dcspised and execrated
will, in spite of himself, derive benefit from the effort that i
about to be made for the general good. He may, and lkel
will, be punished severely, but even punishment will have
clustering and a purifying influence on him.