Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-04-13
Amcrira Has Found Its Soul

y MElttCA is awake At last. 1t has
\ Quircd moro than year of actual par
tcipation in the couilict which is rending
the world asundcr to bring this .pcace-lovil:g.
casy-goin, nation 10 stern realization OF
its danger. To-day il is aroused as il never
has been aroused before, and it is ready and
determined to sand forth in its full strength
that il may give blow for blow, and batter
down forever the Attila who would drive his
forces over all the creations OF modern
civilization
1t needed only the onrush of Germans at
the second battle OF the Somme. and the
revelations made by Andre Tardicu. French
high commissioner. and Lloyd George. British
Premier. OF desperate conditions in their
countries, to bring tho United States to the
fullest sense Of what awaits it should il fail
TO keep faith. to its last man and its last
dollar. with its hard-pressed allies America
has been standing behind the bulwark Of
men and guns and ships erected by the Brit
ish and the French to stem the Teutonc
food; now with startling cearncss it secs
that hulwark being worn down to a dan
EerOus thinness by the ceaseless German
waves from the east and west that are beat
ing against it in their blind fury Once let
that bulwark break, and nothing save
miracle could forestall lasting disaster. To
repair it and keep it stanch and strong
against the enemy and finally move it for
ward until ii rests upon the banks of the
Rhine is the duty America finally knows that
it must perform.
There is now atmosphere in the halls of
Congress. Controversies and chickering's over
nconsequcntial matters that have so seri-
ously delayed preparations are dsap-
pearing overnight. and lawmakers are show
ing removed determination to get behind
the President in whatever measures of safety
or aggression he and his advisers deem best.
This new atmosphere is reelected in the
speeding UP Of legislation and in the added
spur to ali material war activities Troops
arc being rushed to Europe in numbers that
increase daily, and the training Of hundreds
OF thousands more is being Quickened prior
TO the voyage TO the fields Of France
Throughout the country there is the
ievcrish activity OF patriotism fully aroused,
in marked contrast to the lethargy and in
difference. born OF failure to understand,
which had grppcd the nation up to a few
short weeks ago. Thoughts of all else hut
war have been laid aside, and the minds and
hearts of whole people are pusating and
throbhing with the one great purposeto do
something to help beat back the kascrs
threatening hordes. That purpose is seen in
the millions OF dollars which are pouring in
daily 10 swell the third Liberty loan, that
its mighty ovcrsubscription shall be a finger
OF warning to Berlin.
In the past weeks America has found it's
soul 1t is alive now and aQuiver with loyal
passion. y nation which loved and valued
peace above al else now is sngry through
and through II no longer is merely willing
or ready to fight Now it wants to fight,
and nothing but tho complete obliteration
OF tho Teuton menace can keep it from fight
ing. In that spirit it has taken up the gage
thrown down by Berlin; in this spirit it is
rushing across the broad Atlantic 10 stand
shoulder To shoulder with its allies and in
this spirit it, will fight until the final battle
has been won