Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-04-19
The Spirit of America
For the Hour of Test.

HE situation the Western front has reached
one OF those crucial stages that have come
from time to time in every field of the
SINCE the first gray German wave swept over Bel
GUM toward Paris. At the Marne and at Verdun
there moments as anxious and as big with
fate as those on whose waVering decision we now
hang. GalipoE In its day was sore trial TO the
faith or the British people is the present ordeal
through which the forces OF Sir Douglas Haig
passing. The overwhelming OF Serbia and later OF
Rumania, the collapse OF Russia and the well-nigh
disastrous retreat in Italy, all flung their vast
shadows upon the Allied cause. But they proved
shadows merely, as far as German hopes of de-
cision were concerned Paris was not reached;
Verdun was not passed; the Allied spirit not
broken or bent but strengthened and quickened by
reverses.
In those past crises there is at least one lesson
on which we lay hold in this uncertain hour,
the lesson of courage and resolution. We cannot
tell what is coming; but we can tell what We wiz
do. We can determine to go forward, unfinchingly
forward, on the path Of duty and honor, howsoever
grim the way may be- Let undergauge the
seriousness Of the enemys present offensive. He is
lighting with the desperateness of a final fling with
fate. He will hazard any chance and sacrifice any
number of men, a million il need be, to gain his
objective. Moreover. he is stronger than ever be-
fore on the Western front, the Russian detection
having enabled him to concentrate all his major
forces there The most competent military observ-
ers not astonished at the successes he already
has won, and will not venture TO predict just how
far he may advance before he is permanently
checked or hurled back We know, however, that
the Allied armies more thoroughly co-ordlnated
than ever in the past and therefore more capable
of effective service. We know that they are as
valorous and as determined as any armies that
fought in defense of civilization. And know
that shoulder to shoulder with them our
American boys in ever-lengthening columns. Surely
these hosts thousand times worthy of
confidence!
But suppose the situation darkens instead of
growing brighter. What could that mean to Ameri-
cans except deeper and intenser resolution to go
forward uniinchngly forward, until victory shines
fnIT heir herr he pv1f-
come OF the present battle, there be but one
outcome TO the as long this nation stands
true to its faith and its flag We have the wealth,
we have the men. and we have the WILL to beat
Prussianism into the dust How keenly the Huns
themselves are aware of this, is well evidenced by
the desperateness of their attempts to force de-
cison before the United States can arrive in full
strength. They know that full arrival will
mean the end of their adventure for world domina-
ton And we know that their triumph would mean
the end of American security and freedom the end.
indeed, of all things that have made nation
noble and kept its homes secure.
Rather than allow Prussianism-brutal Prus-
sianism that spares neither woman child,
neither fireside nor altar-to come of this war
victorious unconquered. the last dollar in Amer
lea must be spent and every man of must lay
down his life. For what is money without liberty?
What is life without honor? Day after day, year
after year have gone petty rounds of get
pered and foolishly cast down when a gust of i'll
fortune blew; have regarded wealth and
our lives as own to hoard or waste
pleased; we have Rugged our little dust and for
gotten the stars. But a new day, new year,
world has come. There is but ono contentment and
one glory worth seeking, and that is the glory
and brave content of those who soldier-like
giving their best and ready to give their all
that the war for humanity may be won. That is
the spirit Of America as it is of France and Eng
land and Italy; the spirit that knows neither falter
ing nor fear that counts sacrifice too great no
labor too long and that never dreams though right
were worsted. wrong would triumph