The Robesonian., 1918-05-06
MARIETTA SCHOOL FINALS.
Address by r. F. Beasley-Recitation
Contest and Other Exercises.

marked the close of the Marietta
high school last Wednesday. The fea-
ture of the exercises was brilliant
address delivered by Mr. R. F. Beas-
ley, State commissioner of public I
welfare.
The exercises were opened with
chorus, "Our Country's Flag" by the
school, after which the speaker of the
occasion was introduced in a most
fitting manner by Representative J.
S. Oliver of the Marietta section.
Mr.. Beasley spoke on the war and
told why the United States entered
the war and explained in most SIM
pie manner what the American peorle
are lighting for. He not only explain
ed why the United States entered tt G
conflict, but also told Of what it
the American people to have stayed
out of the big fight. The speaker
declared that now there is no mistak
as to who started the war and for
what reason it was started by the
rulers of Germany. Neither is there
any mistake about the fact thai it is
the Christian duty of every man and
woman in American to do all possible
to ed the Government in winning
the victory. The speaker continued:
The final triumph Of the princi-
PIES Of Christianity FOR which we are
fighting will mean that there will
be no more wars and strife among
nations. We must fight to prevent
the things that would follow should
Christianity fail to come out of the
struggle triumphant. President Will
son, the greatest statesman that the
world has known, has made it plain
that he would not do the German peo-
rle an injus4 ice. He is standing for
the rights of the free people of the
world and not waging a contest for
land or indemnity. Men do not act
as the German nation has acted with
out plan. Why would they pursue
such barbarous and cruel course
unless they had some aim in view?
The older people in Germany did not
want this war. However, the young
ed to believe that by waging this war
power and might would succeed and
only the strongest nation would sur
vive and that nation would win the
: favor of God. They were taught that
it was their religious duty to treat
women and children worse than the
beasts of the forest would treat
them. The Germans are pursuing the
same course the savages that ou1
forefathers fought when they came to
American pursued. They not only Kill
their enemies in uniform, but try
E to destroy the wives and children Of
{ their enemy and burn and destroy
their property. The Germans stood
by the turks in their murder of the
Armenians and Greeks and Other
Christians Of that country. One can
not conceive of the barbarous acts d
:. the German armies. The half ma;
not been told. They seek first tx
drop bombs on the hospitals, churche:
and schools. The German people hat
:, lost sight Of what free people woult
4 do for their freedom and right. The!
do this because they do not under
: stand.
5 Germany may break the allie,
y lines and capture Paris, bu: ncye
. y can she win this war. Just as sur
q as the God of Justice sits on tn
:. throne in heaven, it is sure that sue
! ! things as Germany stands for canno
n win. Not until the majority Of tn
T. civilized people in the world ha
). DScIl klllCU COu1O Gllcy WILL
e "The question has been askee
q Can Christians engage in warp Th
y question now is, Can a man he
q Christian and not engage to the ut
Is most in this great conflict = Our pee
y rle should not forget the ju.tness az
y sacredness of the cause for which W
5 fight. We are fighting because W
I I could not escape the duty. Our ne
le ton is the bulwark that stands be
= tween the world and the deluge {
le German domain.
=, "Holy writ says that he who take
's 's the sword shall perish by the swor
'a - Germany has taken it. We al
le fighting to prove what Ch1lst sal
a. a. When it is proven that Germany
- ~ efforts ere futile, no other matte
81 will take the sword. 1t will mes
''a oa that peace shall reign"
- In closing his address MIR. Beasle
y. -. urged the people to save, to practi.
;; sejf-denial and do anything that tt