The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-12-24

Emerson once said that an institution is the 1engthening
shadow OF one man. Christmas may therefore be said to be the
~lengthening shadow of the Prince of Peace. 1t has stretched
over twenty centuries, and at this time it is more significant to
the world than ever before, because the world is seriously
engaged in an effort to bring about peace to mankind.
Americans have every reason to feel proud and eXutant this
Christmas, because Of the commanding position which their
country occupies at this eventful moment, and because of their
singular good fortune in having a man like President Wilson,
in whom they can implicitly trust, to represent them, His task
is a trying one. He will stand alone as representative of unself-
ishness, which means most OF the virtues. The other nations
are preparing, with beak and talon, to tear and rend and deVour
the nations rendered helpless and PROSTATE by the fortunes OF
war. His opportunity is great to g~odlikeness; his responsibility
crushing, He needs the good cheer, support and prayers OF all
good people. He must meet the willy and selfish diplomats of
Europe in discussion, and he alone will possess the uncompro-
missing affirmative. The others will do or say nothing directly.
Every act and word of theirs will be slantng, obhque, and con-
cealing as often as revealing their true meaning. Foreign
diplomacy has a pudency that will not be exposed because it
will not bear scrutiny. Its ways are dark and devious. 1T
believes in malefic machinaton, rather than manly candor and
aboveboard sincerity. President Wilson is deeply religious, and
quick viii the spirit of Christmas. His country wants nothing
world may be a better world, and mankind a happier mankind
in the future but he is subtle enough not to expect Old World
diplomacy to be thrilled and palpitant with the warmth and
latency of the same generous emotion.
Thus forearmed and armored by a consciousness OF recti-
tude and unselfishness he will WELD a power and exercise an
influence such as no other man in the worlds history coula
claim. Not even Napoleon debating peace on a raft has such
a mastery Of affairs as has our president, His voice is not lndi-
vidual, but the composite voice of the American nation, and
second only to the voice of God.
1t may be that everything in the domain OF effort at the
coming conference will be merely initial and tentative. We
know that so far as our country is concerned these efforts and
1 adventures will be acceptable in the sight OF God and OF all
men, now and in the thronging years to come.
These things should cause the. American people to rejoice
and return thanks to the giver of all good for the blessings he
has bestowed upon them, and the singular manner in which he
has honored and blessed them.
There are many other things for which we should be thank
full Life itself and an abundance of lies comforts are gifts of
God and singular when the soil of so many nations has been
converted into a graveyard, and when the decimated populations
are dying of cold and hunger, while we have warmth and plenty
We should rejoice that our sons and brothers, after covering
themselves and the American name with honor and glory in
foreign lands, will soon be coming home to the land of their
birth or adoption, and to the hearts that have been sorrowing
for them, and to the homes where peace and plenty NAV be
found. We can>alSo give thanks because, while we have lust
concluded a world war, we are at peace and on terms of amitv
with all the world. Our neighbors across the Rio Grande are
turning to the ways Of peace and tranquility, and there is reason
to hope for a reign Of peace and happiness in the entire twenty
republics to the south of us, while our northern neighbor, whose
become interblended with us, and we now constitute one great
people.
blessings innumerable have been %abundantly bestowed upon
MS, Our country is prosperous, our people happy, and while we
have done much for civilization we are prepared to do much
more in the way Of reconstructing the MANNED and spent and
war-worn, in rebuilding the destroyed towns and cities. and in
making to blossom the waste places.
And especially should we be thankful that in all the fight
ing that has drenched the earth in blood during the past four
years no hostile shot or shell has landed on our own soil. Many
OF our young men have offered themselves no as ohlatous on
the altar OF liberty, and they have consecrated FOREIGN soil with
their blood. They have left their country and the world a rich
heritage of patriotism and valor which will be the glory of this
age and the inspiration of ages to come.
At this Joyous Christmas season there is much cause for
n rejoicing and for welcoming the annual return of the dav when
was first proclaimed peace on earth and good will to all nations
and peoples.
Joining in the universal acclaim The News Scimitar wishes
everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy and a Prosperous
New Year.