The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-07-05

dSSOClateu with MIN III the CTcatlOI
of a nation. From these gentle
slopes they looked out upon the
world and saw it whole, saw it with
the light of the future upon it, saw
it with modern eyes that turned
away from a past which men of lib
Grated spirits could no longer en-
dure. 1t is for that reason that we
cannot feel, even here, in the mme-
diate presence Of this sacred tomb,
that this is place t death. 1t was
place of achievement. And this is
the appropriate place from which
we avow, alike to the friends who
look in and to the friends with
whom we have the happiness to be
associated in action, the faith and
purpose with which we act. A great
promise that was meant for all man
kind was here given plan and real
ity. The associations of that no
bic death is only glorious consum-
nation. From this green hillside
We also ought to be able to see with
comprehending eyes the world that
lies about us and should conceive
anew the purposes that must set
men free.
For All Mankind
1T IS signlticant-signiiicant OF
their own character and purpose
and OF the influences they were set
ting afoot-that Washington and his
associates, like the barons at Run
nymede, spoke and acted, not for a
class, but Tor a people. 1t has been
lett Tor us to see to 1t that it shall be
understood that they spoke and act
ed not for single people, only, but
for all mankind. They were think
ing, not of themselves and OF the
material interests which centered in
the little groups OF land holders and
merchants and men OF affairs with
whom they were accustomed TO act,
in Virginia and the colonies to the
north and south OF her but OF a |
people which wished to be done
with classes and special interest and
the authority of men whom they
had not themselves chosen to rule
over them.
They entertained no private pur-
pose, desired no peculiar privilege.
They were consciously planning that
men Of every class should be free /
and America place to which men
out ot every nation might resore
who wished to share with them the
right and privileges OF free men.
And We take our example from
.hem-do We not? We intend what
they intended. We here in Amer
ca believe our participation in this
present war to be only the fruitage
of what they planted Our case dif-
.ers from their only in this, that it is
our inestimable privilege to concert
With men ont OF every nation what
hall make not only the liberties of
american secure. but the Liberties of
very other people as well. We are
Happy in the thought that we are
permitted to do what they would
lave done had they been in our
,lacc. There must now be settled
,nce for all what was settled for ,
america in the great age upon
whose inspiration we draw today.
This is surely a fitting place from I
which calmly to look out upon our
ask. that We may fortify our spirits ,
or its accomplishment. And this t
) the appropriate place with whom
We have the happiness to be asso- I
lated in action the faith and pur- ,
ose with which we act.
Plot Is Written Plain. y
Thus, then. is our conception of ,
he great struggle in which We are
ngaged. The plot is written plain
pom every scene and every act OF
he supreme tragedy. On the one
and stand the peoples OF the world
not only the peoples actually en-
aged. but many Others also who
ufier under mastery but cannot
CT; peoples of many races and in
very part OF the world-the people
t stricken Russia still, among the
est. though they are for the mo-
ient unorganized and helpless. OPP
oScd 10 them. masters OF many
rmieS. stand an isolated. friendless
roup OF governments who speak no
ommon purpose. but only selfish
mbItionS OF their own bv which
one can profit but themselves. and
hose peoples are fuel in their
lndS; governments which fear
Ieir people and vet are for the time
leir sovereign lords, making ev-
y choice Tor them and disposing
their lives and fortunes as they
III as well as OF the lives and for
mes OF every people who fall un-
r their power - governments
o,hed with the strange trappings
I'd the primitive authority of an
e that IS altogether alien and hos
e TO our own. The past and pres
i are in deadly grapple and the
'opleS of the world are being done
death between them.
There can be but one issue. The
t,lement must be final. There can
no compromise. No halfway de-
'ion would be tolerable. No half
~ decision i conceivable. These
e the ends for which the associ-
ed peoples OF the world are fight
z and which must be conceded
EN- before there can be peace: ;
u The destruction of every ar
.rary power anywhere that can
secretly and OF its single