Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-09-15

job was passed up without reserva-
tions to Pershing and he tackled it
like big man, with what results the
world is now familiar. Mistakes
were made beyond all doubt.
Hammered Army Into Shape
To transform an army of two mill
lion civilians, fresh from the schools,
the stores, the counting houses, the
professional ranks and the luxurious
homes of a peace loving nation, into
hardened army fit to meet the best
trained soldiers of Europe, and to
do that within a space of a few
months, was an achievement so CO.
lossal as to stagger belief. Yet now
we know that BLACK Jack" did that
thing and did it thoroughly, despite
handicaps, blunders and inefficient
coordination.
We can now look back and see
that in those early days of doubt and
anxiety there was really a big mans
hand at the helm-a sure, careful,
undoubting forward pushing hand
that brought results, brought order
out of confusion, decided promptly
when others doubted and was ready
when the day of test came. We now
see that in his administrative deci-
sions Pershing was right, that in the
supreme hour his army was ready
to swing the victory; his competence
and his character have stood the
test of trial in the seven times heat
ed furnace of war; and the judg-
ment of the people for what he has
done, not for what he might have
done, will crown him with honor and
place his name high in the annals
of American history.
The splendid ovation given him in
the East upon his return evidences
the hold he has taken upon the heart
of America - it has gone out to
him spontaneously, approvingly and
with a welcome that is free and
wholesome and universal and with
no political strings attached to it.
And now Missouri. his native state
is eagerly awaiting his Homecoming
to the scenes of his boyhood days.
Laclede, his old home town, is get
ting ready to receive him. He will
return to his boyhood home a full
fiedged general, the hero of Amer
lea, but to the boyhood companions
with whom he stole apples and play
ed at the old swimmin' hole it will
be the Johnny" Pershing who spent
his early life there before going
away to West Point to embark on
military career.
Ready For His Homecoming
A cablegram received by Mayor
E. B. Allen, of Laclede, promised
visit by the general shortly after
his arrival in the United States.
Some time ago when Laclede
learned that General Pershing was
returning from Europe the following
cablegram was dispatched to him
by Mayor Allen:
"Laclede, your old home your
boyhood friends and Linn County
pect you homer"
General Pershing cabled in re-
ply:
II have heard the call. Will be
there soon after my arrival in the
United States. Can't give you def
mite date now, but will let you know
| later"
Laclede will pay tribute to Gen
eral Pershing on his arrival, not
with the pomp and ceremony that
marked his reception in European
! capitals and the big cities of the
East. but with a good, old fash
ioned Missouri Homecoming" ac-
cording to the committee arranging
| for his reception.
Plans for the Generals entertain
ment include reunions with old
| schoolmates and chums and trips to
the old swimmin' hole on Muddy
Creek and to the old Pershing farm.
! The Homecoming will also mark
reunion of the Pershing family
James Pershing, of Chicago, the
generals brother, and Miss May
| Lincoln Neb., his two sisters, will