The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1918-07-04
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TODAY

EUUAt
Let Us compare the spirit Of America
with that of the same date last year.
The air was filed with much hurTah
stuff last year. There was perhaps
more Of shouting than will be noted
this year. America had just stepped
into the arena in the greatest war Of
history. There was a novelty about
war talk that was exciting and our
orators were busy on the great birth
day Of the principles of free and demo-
ractic peoples telling US what We
Americans were going to do.
We hadn't settled down TO our task
good on July 4. 1917, but We have now.
America has done things and she is
buster still doing more. We have
cinched up the belt and felt sacrifice
and its ennobling effects. Last year
lists of boys in the service were read
from rostrums the land over. Those
boys Will not be forgotten this year,
but those lists have grown so large
that they geannot sbe read in the short
time at hand. From the homes of
every community men have gone, to
the army, the navy and the marines.
We have seen men by the millions,
men used to the civil life of nation
at peace, taken into our army canton
ments and trained to become efficient
soldiers, not professional soldiers.
mind you, for most Of them are think
ing of the day when their great task
will be over and they can get back
again to home, to wife and children.
And yet they are soldiers, second to
the fighting men Of no nation. Many
of these men were with US last year.
and participated in the activities of
the celebration. Today they will be
thinking of ''the doings" back home
Those thoughts will tend to make them
battle for the principles they know are
right land to sacrifice if need be life it.
self.
Last year we knew, by experience
at least, not much of the sacrifices we
would be called on to make. The calls
for war work and appeals to our patri-
otism have left their touch. What we
do now we do for the benefit of all :.
personal conveniences are secondary.
The war spirit is on us, and while our
sacrifices have been slight, as com
pared with those of our allies, we
know that we are ready to bear the
sorrows, the heartaches and the priva-
tions that have been their lot. We
know that the Prussian must be over
thrown, and whatever the task calls
for. we are ready for it.
So today we celebrate the Fourth of
July with more solemnity. 1t has a
deeper meaning. One great people,
united, all of our communities purged
of little factions and chickering's, our
faces set toward one great goal, we
pledge our industries. our resources
and or man power for world democ-
racy. Our pride swells, when we
think of the place we have taken in
world affairs, of the cheer our stand
for right has sent to the peoples of
France, England and Italy. The blood
of the civilized world, the world of the
allies, flows with less of chill, hearts
beat strong with newborn hope, that
menacing cloud, threatening the slav-
cry Of free peoples and Prussian bond
age, is rolled back. The darkest part
OF the great war seems passed. We
appear to be entering on. the dawn, a
dawn made by the brilliancy and glory
of American achievements in the past
II months. Today July A, birthday Of
the Declaration of independence, will
be celebrated in France, in Italy and
even in England.
Except where his might remains su.
preme as a result of his treacherv, the
kalser's power seems on the wane. On
the west front the great German of.
fenses have turned into nothing more
than disaster for the attackers The
attacking Austrian army has been
made to turn and flee
But because it seems the dawn let US
not here at home become less eager to
do or share and sacrifice and suffer
that the great task may be completed
as quickly as possible. Our optimism
must not lead to Indifference. Until
decisive victory is won and the Hohen-
zollerns and Prussian junkers have
been swept from power, Americans,
one hundred million strong, must re-
main where they now stand on a war
basis, solemn, grim and united.