The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-02-07
REAL RELIEF

While the statesmen, publcists and humanitarians of Europe
are discussing, accidentally, how relief is to be brought to the
suffering peoples of a stricken world, Uncle Sam, in his rough
and ready way, is extending real relief to the furnishing. One
hundred ships, loaded with thousands of tons-not pounds
to the afflicted. Our Belgian relief committee has been feeding
that nation practically since the beginning of the war, The end
is not yet We must continue sending Our largess to Belgium,
Rumania, Serbia and other countries that have been robbed and
impoverished by the Huns, and for the carrying on Of this work
congress has set aside 100000. This is all a gift taken
from the normal supply Of the American people, which they must
contrive to get along without. This means a voluntary sacrifice
which will be felt by all classes of our citizens.
Rich beyond any other nation, we are giving to the less
fortunate thus obeey1ng the divine command and proving our
selves worthy of the manifold blessings showered upon us so
bountifully.
No wonder Our chief executive at the peace conference
wields a paramount influence, and the world hangs on his words
As commander-in-chief of the army and navy, and, in a large
measure, of the material resources of the nation, he has it in
his power to grant or withhold that which may mean the life or
death OF millions of human beings who have been made the
unhappy victims of the unholy ambition and lust for power of
one man. In him God has raised up another st. George to Stay
the dragon of imperialism. He has brought into the thought and
mind of the world new ideas to supplant carnage and conflict,
robbery and plumber and bloodletting, and these are %genHeness
and justice, unselfshness and helpfulness,
His mission is to save and not to destroy; to bind up and
heal old wounds and not to inflict new ones,
ne is as well equipped Tor the academic discussion of funda-
mental principles as any Of them, but the genius of his nation
believes in extending real relief and that at once.
Our presidents presence is fortuitous. He will contribute
moral as well as material relief.
one individual so circumstance, politically and persona,lv
emancipated from s~elfishness, is sure to WELD 4 novuerfri ;nfLv,'
~ MSS III 6ooo' IS VIII assist III keeping the world to lie ,yorl.
OF eternal goodness, and by alertness prevent ven consc;enns
from deceivng it, and hold to the basic idea that to give han.
pness ana do good is the paramount law, the anchor of saliva
uon, the beacon light and the valid reason for existence. All
rehglons may crurble away; so long as this and these survive
we have still an ideal and life is worth Twins. Notbing ~
lessen the dignty. and value of humanity so long as the religion
Q love- OF unseltishness and devotion endures. And none car
destroy the affairs of this faith for us so long as we feel orr
selves stll capable Of love. We can undauntedly look into thu
eyes OF the problems that rise before us in their implacabl,
soemnity and terror while this faith shines like a star in tn,
darkness and uncertainty. If society is to last it must hav,
some basis OF cohesion, some common viewpoint, and a firm
strong man. armored in Righteousness, can compel the world t
agreement with him, because right, ultimately, will prevail.
A strong man, firmly planted upon fundamental nrinci,1e
OF justice, and who is also penetrating and subtle, is a wonderfu
power. He can lead men away from tineworn fictions an,
formulas, and bring them face to face witt simple, elementar,
principles, and away from calculated formulas and cautious
habits OF thought and expression. The world needs to be bor,
again. and aroused from its cataeptc tranquility and self
sutfnency. While being reborn or remade the world mus
undergo metamophosis, and wisdom dictates that this chang
be not too radical or revolutionary, Radicalism is empirical
revolution is destructive. In getting away from old evils W
should not rush into the arms OF new and worse. Our read
relief will include fresh ideas and a ~freshening and vivication q
sound principles. Our part in the great work is not a subord
nate ona