Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-12-13

WnlCn must grow OUT VI lAtlu uHA
which we have yet 10 shape and de-
terminc.
Tells Of Troop Shipments
A year ago we had sent 1898 men
overseas. Since then We have sent
l.9J0,5l3, an average OF 1921 each
month. the number in fact rising In
May Inst to 245.95l. In June to 2Is,16O,
in July 10 3O7, Isl, and continuing TO
reach similar figures in August ana
Septembcr-in August 2S9,5IO and In
September 257,43s.
No such movement Of troops ever
took place before, across 3,OO miles
of sea, followed by adequate equip
ment and supplies, and carried safely
through extraordinary dangers OF at
tock-lnngers which were allke
strange and infinitely more difficult to
guard against. In all this movement
only 73S men were lost by enemy at
tacks-G30 Of whom were upon u
single English transport which was
SUNK ntuT llt Unity ioA"AS
| need not tell you what lay back
of this great movement OF men anu
material. 1t Is not ~lnvidious 10 Say
that bnck Of It lay u supporting or
ranlzntion of the Industries OF the
country and all Its productive actlVl-
ties more complete, more thorough III
method md effective In results, more
spirited and unanimous In purpose
and effort than any other great Del
lIgerent had ever been able to erect
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.
U. s. Learns Quickly.
But we learned quickly and acted
with n promptness and a readiness OF
cooperation that justify our great
pride that we were able to serve the
world with unparalleled energy ana
| QUICK accompaniment
But 1t Is not the physical scale and
executive 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 VINO
kept the seas, and the spirit of the
nation that stood behind them.
No soldiers or sailors ever proved
themselves more quickly ready for the
test Of battle or acquitted themselves
with more splendid courage ana
achievement when put to the test.
Those of us who played some part IN
directing the great processes by when
the war was pushed lrresistibly 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 exacting task they had undertake
en- and performed with audacity, ell
cheney and unhesitating courage tina
touch the story Of convoy and battie
with imperlshable distinction at every
turn, whether the enterprise We're grea'
or small--from their chiefs. Pershins
md Sims, down to the youngest lieu
tenant; and their men were worthy o.
them-such men as hardly need to D'
commanded, and go to their terrible
adventure blithely and with the quiel
intelligence of those who know JUS
what 1t Is they would accomplish.
am proud TO be the fellow countrymal
of men of such stuff and valor.
Those of us who stayed at home Il
ON duty the war could not have bee
won or the gallant men who fought
given their opportunity to win 1t otheI
wise; but for many a long day we sha
think ourselves 'nccursed we were M
there and hold our manhoods chea
while n . speaks that fought
with these at st. Mihiel or Their
The memory Of those days of trump
t ant battle will 20 with these fortuna
men to their graves; and each W
c have his @favorite memory. "Old M
: forget vet all shall be forgot, but he
# remember with advantages what tea
he did that day.
l. Why to Be Thankful.
y What we all thank God for WI
D. deepest gratitude is that our men we
in force into the line of battle just
the critical moment when the VIII
" fate of the world seemed to hang
le the balance and threw their FRI
to strength into the ranks of freedom
o. time to turn the whole tide and sw'
eli of the fateful struggle-turn 1t OF
for nil, so that tEenceforth 1t was ba
back, back for their enemies, alw
m back, never again forward! After
OF It was only Il scant four months BET
ed the commanders of The central empi
Id knew themselves beaten; and I
their very empires are in liquidati
'ht And throughout IT all how fine
nat spirit of the nation a What u
ne of purpose, what unttring zeal! W
''y elevation of purpose ran through al
'oo splendid display of strength, its III
'eu ing accomplishment. l have said
those of us who stayed ut home I,
the work of organization and su'
win always wish that we had been
The the men whom we sustained by
- 49, 49,, 49, nnA.nh. hn nNlnl