Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1918-04-24
REFINING FIRE.

At the beginning of the war, or
rather at the time when the United
States undertook TO do its bit for the
safety OF the world, the cry was raised
II was a rich mans war; that it was
but another opportunity for the CAPT
talist to Increase his bank credit while
the poor man was doing the fighting
necessary to make that credit safe.
There existed little justification for
the claim. and it was soon abandoned.
While The draft rule recognized Meth
er millionaire nor pauper, IL was a no
ticeable feature of the enlistment
campaign that the sons of the rich
were as anxious to get into the army
and the navy as were any other class
es OF our people. and little later it
developed that the rich would be call
ed upon to bear their part of the bur
den of war in proportion to the
amount of wealth they possessed.
The son OF the day laborer and the
son of the multi-millionaire will be
found as terminates over in France
they will together share the danger of
trench duty, and they will have ample
opportunity for learning the good or
bad qualities of each other before the
termination OF the war will send them
both back to resume the practices Of
civil life They are going to under
stand each other better after spending
a time in close comradeship where
danger is their constant attendant,
and the country is going TO be the
richer because opportunity has been
afforded for the representatives of the
two extremes in wealth TO become ac-
quainted.
Our fellows are also going to be
permitted the opportunity of judging
the caliber OF the young man of other
nationalities and the outcome of this
is going TO be also helpful. We have
always looked upon the Canadians as
part of ourselves, and the brilliancy
they have shown in battle, their splen-
did fighting qualities, we have accept
ed as an indirect compliment to the
Western continent of which we con-
slider ourselves the foremost protago-
mist. We have probably underesu-
mated the fighting qualities of the
British young man, and have jumped
to the conclusion that the Frenchman
could only fight a winning battle. We
will obtain convincing argument suf-
ficient to cause change of mind in
this connection, also.
The civilian at home still believes
In his right to criticise the conduct of
the war, and to express the confidence
in his own ability to~hurry the contest
to successful close, but the young
soldier at the front will leave in the
trenches many of the criticisms he so
fondly INDUCED in before he crossed
the ocean When he comes back he
will entertain a broader feeling OF
charity for those who have assumed
responsible duties, for he will have
had opportunities for estimating the
size of the job man has undertaken;
and it may be that there will be
brought back a feeling of admiration
for those in authority who have been
able TO accomplish so much in a brief
space of time with such scant time for
getting the big piece of machinery in
motion.
The returning soldier will have his
ideas of religion greatly modified by
his experience in the service of Uncle
Sam. The splendid work being done
by the Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton. the knights of Columbus, the Sal
walton Army and kindred organiza-
tons have made its impress upon him,
and regardless of the overshadowing
question as to why the war was per-
mitted TO curse the earth, he is going
to come home to spend more thought
upon things eternal than had he not
been called upon to attend the school
of war Spiritual influences are and
will be at work that will cause many
a needless man to seek an answer TO
the cravings of his deeper nature who
would have never heard the still small
voice had il not been for the thunder
Gus boom of the cannon and the sight
of fields running red with human
blood.
When Sammie comes marching
home, he will not be the light-hearted,
care-free. Indifferent young fellow
who perhaps thoughtlessly assumed
the most serious phase of American
citizenship, that of national defender:
he will be a much sobered, broad
visioned, tolerant, self-confident man
ready to assume his place in the task
of rebuilding world almost ruined by
wars devastating tread. He Will be
more charitable in his criticisms. more
just in his judgment, more anxious to
be of service. He will be nearer APP
Proclamation of the ideal American
than any type yet produced. Much of
the dross will have been eliminated by
the refining fire through which he has
passed. This viii be the largest gain
America will make from this world
contest, and it will be of more value
than territory or treasure or treaty
privileges Galveston Tribune.