Evening journal., 1918-02-20

country, I say TO you that there has
never been a time In all OF the history
OF the United States when II was sc
little necessary to use that sentiment
There has never been a day since the
thirteen colonies declared their inde-
pendenoe among the nations Of the
world when the United states OF Amer
lea was more absolutely right and
more clearly justified in its position
than on this twentieth day OF Febru-
ary in Gods good year Of nineteen hun
dred and eighteen.
I'VE are not called upon to support
our country against conscience and
simply because II Is our country. We
are fortunate that our support Is de-
manded at this time for cause as pure
and holy as our country is dear and
precious.
I'VE are not at war because we have
wanted to fight. We have passionate
/ ly desired to be at peace with all the
world
I'VE are not at war because we de-
sire to take anything from any other
nation or people. Our desire is to pre-
serve good things for all peoples and
In all countries.
I'VE are not at war because we hate
/ Germany or Germans or wish that any
| evil thing may befall them. Our gov
ernment has consistently occupied an
/ attitude OF universal benevolence to-
wards mankind.
This war has been forced upon us.
A great peace loving republic, headed
by a President enraptured with visions
OF peace has been forced into war in
spite Of all It's ambitions, all OF It's in
terests and all Of It's longlngs for peace
and repose.
Forced at last TO draw our sword
and take our place in the battle Of the
nations we find ourselves fighting for
everything that seems worth while in
life. We are on the side OF liberty
and liberty has always been worth
lighting for and has never been main
tanned except by those who stood ever
willing TO flght for it We are on the
side Of civilization. lighting savagery
worse than that OF wild Indians be-
cause 10 is the savagery Of science de-
void OF conscience.
1--WE are on the side OF humanity
against barbarism and frightfulness re-
duced to o fine art.
I'VE are on the sdie Of the civilian
and human craftsman against the sol
der and human butcher. In view OF
these conditions we may truly say not
only that our country Is right but that
our cause Is. holy. IL becomes us,
therefore. TO support our cause with
valor and TO the last full measure OF
devotion. We will not yield victory
90 our enemies because we cannot
without yielding everything dear TO us !
Our last man win fire our last gun in |
bold support or our cause and country. !
I'VE are sending TO this struggle, not |
as a matter OF boasting but as a mat
ter Of hard fact, the best manhood In
the world. With all Difference TO our
gallant Allies in the fight, with all
proper respect TO our brave enemies on
the field Of battle, we are now prepar-
ing and sending 10 the front young
soldiers a shade better In the quail
tiles OF manhood to any soldier
who ever contended before in the
history Of the world The Germans
and the Austrians have proved their
great worth as soldiers so that none
can venture 10 deny to them good fight
lng qualities. The French soldiers are
the bravest Of the brave and the
thought Of the way they have met
the full shock OF this war thrills every
noble soul and touches every generous
heart which really understands. The
armies Of Great Britain, made up OF
the free man OF the isles and the yet
greater men OF the dependencies are be-
yond all praise. Not even the Kaiser
can longer regard the British army as
contemplate.
80 II is not with any desire to be- |
little other soldiers or to take one |
laurel leaf from the brow Of any other |
army that speak OF the quality OF |
these American troops now going for !
ward. Great as these other soldiers |
have shown TO be their quality | be- |
lieve and therefore l say that these
American boys are the best soldiers in |
the world today.
The Justice Of this prediction VIII |
soon be put to the test. The big nsht |
of 1918 is about 10 commence. These |
American troops will have a part in Il |
and from now on American troops win |
have an increasingly large part in the /
light. The event viii prove, | think, |
the justice Of this estimate Of the qual- |
ity OF the young American manhood |
which Is going into the war.
Il pray you dismiss from your mind |
all Idea that they are going over TO |
France to be sacrificed and slaughtered |
II is not so. They are going to France !
10 nght and win the war. I have the |
vision and therefore ] prophesy unto |
you that our American soldiers in
France will, In the fullness of time. |
when the hour Of destiny strikes. pierce
the German line and po triunnnbort
across the fields OF Germany.
"Ihe boys are coming back. most of |
them, with laurels upon their brow |
ana victory perched upon their banners |
and these children Of the Wilmington
High School who have gone forth TO
serve our country win come back with /.
the mark Of heroes on them. They are
OF the same old heroic stock Of the |
past. They are fine and ft. With the
best country back Of them, the hest
cause that the sun ever shown on. the
best manhood that the world ever pro- |
duced, / prophecy that they shall be
yictors."
The school then sang the French
National song THE Marseillalse. !"
Led by Miss Saylor, OF the fasultv
as soloist, the school sang Keep the /
Home Fires Burning"
The assemblage Of people spranc
spontaneously to their feet as the |
great, beautiful service flag was lower |
ed over the platform and the an /
plause was deafening.
President Allen Of the Glass Of 1918 |
read the roll Of honor represented NV /
the 23i stars while the audience re- /
mained standing He quoted Principal /