The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1918-08-09
BAPTISM OF FIRE.

1t was inevitable that IL the Amer
lean army won great victories there
would be heavy casualties. Now the
lists are beginning to be announced
that will bring sorrow to thousands Of
homes throughout the land, for great
victory has been won. But the nation
was steeled for the reception Of these
lists and not tear will be shed that
Is not jewel of patriotism.
Chief of Staff March has given as
surance that the casualty lists will
not be out of proportion to the gains
that have been made, and all dis
patches from the battle field since
the beginning of the Franco-American
offensive on July Is hav, indicated
that the losses of the allies have been
remarkably low, considering that they
were on the defensive ami ordinarily
would have been expected to lose
more men than the enemy Civilized
human beings normally should not re-
joice over the slaughter o. other hui
man being, but beneath the sorrow of
Americans for their own losses there
must be feeling OF satisfaction in
the realization that even in an often.
sive our forces have slain many more
of the enemy than we have lost. This
feeling is not one of savagery or Of
revenge, but it is one of holy rejoicing
that the forces of nation that has
stopped at no brutality or act of
savagry are being decinated and
wiped out of existence.
Every American who fell on the
field north of the Marine since July Is
made the supreme sacrifice for nu-
mainly and for liberty the world over.
Every man who went forward in that
great offensive was hero. Those
who lost their lives found the most
glorious path to eternity, and those
who were wounded will forever as
long as they live bear the sears OF
their wounds with pride that they
were won in the most terrific struggle
for the majesty of right.
1t would be folly to admonish the
mothers of America to shed no tears
and to feel no sorrow when the an
nouncement is made that their sons
have been killed in action. But it
would also be presumtious to counsel
them in the acceptance of this an
nouncement with patriotic hearts and
the realization that their sons have
given their lives for their country and
the most noble cause of humanity, for
there is no mother in this land, we
believe, who in the sanctuary of her
heart does not have enshrined the
noble spirit Of that Frolch mother,
who, while lowering into the grave her
third son killed in battle, received the
news that her fourth and last son al
so had died for his country, then
lifted her face toward heaven and ex-
claimed, Long live France
Heavier casualties have been suf-
fered by the American forces in the
Marine offensive than in any other en-
gagement in which they have partici-
pated. 1t was the first battl, of ex-
traordinary importance in which they
have had part. On that field they
received their baptism Of fire, AMI
surely it was there that the spirit of
the Holy Ghost appeared before them
to give His commentator, These are
my sons in whom l AIN well pleased.
This is a war for the perpetuation
of the principles of Christianity, as
well as the principles of democracy
which are but supplements to the
teachings Of Him whose life was given
for humanity.