Trench and camp. [volume] (Augusta, Ga.) 1917-1919, 1918-06-12

l am deeply sensible for the honor which
mas been done me today by this great uni
Versity, an honor which confers upon me
the title of an alumnus of Columbia and
gives me the privilege to be present on
this occasion.
This recognition of public service is,
in my opinion, the highest form of recon-
penSe which an American citizen can re-
ceive. How great or how little may be
the real value of the service rendered by
one who is called upon in these critical
days to share the responsibilities of gov
eminent l do not believe can now be de-
termned. 1t is only as we leave behind
us the scenes through which we are living
and in which we are actors and can
weigh accomplishments with impartial
minds that we viii gain true concep-
ton of their worth
If in the future, when the whole piano.
rama OF this war is before you, your judg-
ment as to the rightfulness of having con-
ferred upon me this degree remains I'M
changed, Twill find in the memory of the
present occasion an even greater satisfac-
ton than that which I have today. II is
my earnest hope that I may deserve your
continued appreciation, and you may feel
assured that I viii endeavor to merit the
confidence which Columbia University
mas so gfacfouSly shown me
Stands With World Democracies.
Today this republic stands with the
democracies of the earth arrayed in battle
against the most relentless enemy of HUI
man liberty which the ages have pro-
duced To save this country Of ours and
to save the civilized world from Prussan-
ism has become the supreme duty of the
American people and Of all other people
who love justice and freedom.
In this titanic struggle we are joined
not only with France, our historic ally
but also with Great Britain, our ancient
foe. On the blood-stained fields of
France we three, together with Italy
Belgium, and Portugal. are standing
shoulder to shoulder against the plumber
ers. Our traditional friendship for France
lzfEta
ditonal enmity for Great Britain, which is
forgotten, are swallowed up in this su-
preme crisis of liberty, our common hertz
age The grave perils to our lives as ma
tons unite us with bonds of steel as our
armies face the foe Of all mankind.
Proud of Associates in the War.
am proud that in these terrible days
we are associated with the tenacious war
riors of Britain, l am proud that with our
blood we can, on French soil, prove the
affection which we cherish for the French
people; ! am proud that Italy. superb in
her determined resistance, is our partner
in this conflict, and that the indomitable
spirit of the Belgians and Serbs is a liv-
ing inspiration to gallant deeds and noble
sacrifice; I am proud, as / know every
American is proud to be thus united
with the nations which hate Prussianism
and loathe the evil desires which it en-
genders in the hearts of men.
PruSsfanisn has appealed to the sword,
and by the sword Prussianism must fall.
1t is the divine law or refribution which
we, as the instruments of Justice must
enforce SO that the world may be forever
rid of this abomination.
1t is not my purpose to discuss the
means by which this duty is to be done
but / wish to direct your attention to
two things which may divert our thoughts
and interrupt our full effort unless we
appreciate the consequences Of unWisely
giving heed to them. The obstacles of
which we must beware are criticisms at
home, which are not constructive and
SlI2QHSf1 al based
upon the perpetuaton of PruSsianism.
Waste no Time in Vain Regrets.
When time is so vital to success, let us
not waste these precious DAYS in vain re-
grets and complaints over that which has
been done or has not been done, Let us
not continually look behind to see where
we stumbled, but let us look forward so
we viii not stumble again. Criticisms
of the past are worse than worthless;
they are almost criminal, unless they
point better way for the future.
I believe that the American people care
very little for what should have been
done compared with what should be done
For the critic of public affairs who is
manfestly inspired by political or selfish
motives, by conceit, or by desire for no
toriety, I have a profound contempt Let
us, for the present at least, disregard the
mistakes Of the past which can not be
cured, and let us. impeled by the viii to
win this war. drive on toward the goal
with all our Vigor- The jealous patriot
has no time to grumble and grieve over
errors. He IS too busy in aiding the gov
eminent in the work of today to spend his
time in picking flaws in the work Of yes
terday. Criticism which is not clearly
constructive and helpful in winning the
war should be ignored, 1t is unpatriotic
and un-American.
NO Prusslan Made Peace.
AS we turn deaf ears to common scolds
at home so must we not relax cur efforts
to listen to irsincere suggestions of peace
filtering through from Germany by vari-
Gus channels. Let us understand that a
Prussian-m peace would not be the
end, that it would only postpone the final
struggle Now that this war has come
upon us we must carry it through to a
decision. We must not transmit to flu
ture generations the germs of militarisn.
From the spirit of despotism, which has
caused this awful tragedy, this war must
free the world. We have suffered enough
The nations must never again endure
such black days OF agony as those in
which we are living.
1t is the supreme task of civilization to
put an end to Prussianism. To listen to
proposals for Prussian peace, to COM
Y1ronoiSa with the butchers of individuals