Carroll County democrat. (Huntingdon, Tenn.) 188?-1971, 1918-12-13

which must grow cut Of them and
which we have yet to shape and de-
termine.
Tells Of Troop Shipments
A year ago we had sent 145.e1s men
overseas Since then we have sent
1,950,5lS, an average Of 162,542 each
month, the number in faet rising in
May last to 245.951. III June to 27S, 76O,
In July to 307. 1872, and continuing to
reach similar figures in August and
September August 2S9,5T0 and In
September 257, 43S.
No such movement Of troops ever
took place before, across 5000 miles
OF sea, followed BY adequate equip
ment and supplies, and carried safely
through extraordinary dangers Of at.
taek-dangers which were alike
strange and infinitely more difficult to
guard against. In all this movement
only 78S men were lost by enemy at
tacks-030 of whom were upon a
single English transport which was
sunk near the Orkney islands.
/ need not tell you what lay back
Of this great movement of men and
material It is not invidIous to say
that back Of It lay supporting or
ganization of the industries of the
country and all Its productive actiyi-
ties more complete, more thorough in
method and effective In results, more
spirited and unanimous In purpose
and effort than any other great bel
llgerent had ever been able to effect.
We profted greatly by the experience
Of the nations which had already been
engaged for nearly three years In the
exlgent and exacting business, their
proficiency taxed to the utmost. We
were the pupils.
v. s. Learns Quickly.
But we learned quickly and acted
with pr0mptness and a readiness of
cooperation that justify our great
pride that we were able to serve the
world with unparalleled energy and
quick accomplishment.
But 1t is not the physical scale and
efficiency Of preparation,
supply, equipment and dispatch that
would dwell upon, but the mettle
and quality Of the officers and men
we sent over and of the sailors who
kept the seas, and the spirit of the
nation that stood behind them.
No soldiers or sailors ever proved
more quickly ready for the
test of battle or acquitted themselves
with more splendid courage and
achievement when put to the test.
Those Of us who played some part In
the great processes by which
the war was pushed irresistibly for
ward to the final triumph may now
forget all that and delight our
thoughts with the story Of what our
men did,
Proud Of U. s. Heroes.
Their officers understood the grim
and eyacting task they had undertak-
en- and performed with audaclty, eff
cheney and unhesitating courage that
touch the story of convoy and battle
with imperishable distinction at every
turn, whether the enterprise were great
Or small--from their chiefs. Pershing
and Sims, down to the youngest lieu
tenant; and their men were worthy Of
Lhem-such men as hardly need to be
and go to their terrible
adventure blithely and with the quick
Intelligence Of those who know just
what 1t Is they would accomplish. |
am proud to be the fellow countryman
Of men Of such stuff and valor.
Those of us who stayed at home did
our duty; the war could not have been
won or the gallant men who fought 1t
given their opportunity to win 1t other
wise; but for many long day we shall
think ourselves "accursed we We're not
there and hold our manho0ds cheap |
while any speaks that fought
with these at ST. Mihiel or Thierry. |
The memory of those days Of triumph
ant battle will so with these fortunate
men to their graves; and each will
nave his favorlte memory. "Old men
forget yet all shall be forgot, but he'll |
remember with advantages what feats
he did that day!"
Why to Be Thankful.
What we all thank God for with
deepest gratitude is that our men went |
n force into the line Of battle just at
The critical moment when the whole
,ate of the world seemed to hang in
the balance and threw their fresh
strength into the ranks of freedom In
line to turn the whole tide and sweep |
IF the fateful struggle-turn 1t once
'or all, so that thenceforth it was back,
back, back for their enemies, always
pack, never again forward After that
t was only a scant four months before
he commanders Of the central empires
knew themselves beaten; and now
heir very empires are in liquidation |
And throughout 1t all how fine the
spirit Of the nation was. What unity |
If purpose, what untiring zeal What
elevation of purpose ran through all It's
splendid display of strength, its untir-
ng accomplishment. have said that
hose Of us who stayed at home to do
he work Of organization and supply |