The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-11-15
President Wilson, Secretary Ba
ker and General Pershing
Issue Statements
A GREAT DAY In HIS
TORY OF COUNTRY
Some Of the Reasons Why Pee
pie of America Should Observe
the Day

Washington. Nov. 10.-President
Wilson. General Pershing and Secre-
tary Baker today issued statements to
| the American people on the occasion
Of the first anniversary of the sign
/ ing of the armistice.
The President said to Americans
the reflections Of Arnaistice Day would
be filled with solemn pride in the he
roisn Of those who died in the coun-
ltrys service and with gratitude for
the victory both because of the thing
j from which it has freed us. and be-
cause of the opportunity it has given
America 10 show her sympathy with
lpeacc and justice in the councils Of
the nations.
: The exercise by the American peo-
iple Of practical patriotism during the
/ war General Pershins said, was an
avowal Of their firm adherence to the
principles of free government that
will continue to have great influence
:upon the progressive thought through
!; out the world.
/ Secretary Baker said that while
! mourning its dead, the nation was
grateful for their achievement and
for that of their living brothers and
THAT in the name of both we may
hope for an early accomplishment Of
! the terms Of peace that shall COM
plcte their work upon the battle
fields of France
President Wilson's message fol-
lows:
To My Fellow Corntrymen:
! A year ago today our enemies laid
down their arms in accordance with
an armistice which rendered them
:: :impotent to renew hostilities. and gave
I to reconstruct its shattered order and
TO work out in peace new and juster
set Of international relations. The
soldiers and people Of the European
ALLIES had fought and endured for
more than four gears to uphold the
barrier of civilization against the ag
Sressions Of armed force. We our
selves had been in the conflict some
thing more than year and a half.
! With splendid forgetfulnesS of mere
personal concerns we renodeled our
industries. concentrated our 1inancia!
resources increased our agricultural
/! output, and assembled a great army,
SO that at the last our power was de-
icisive factor in the victory. We We're
able 10 bring the vast resources, ma
terial ard moral, of a great and free
lDeople TO the assistance of our aSso-
! ciates in Europe who had suffered and
sacrificed without limit in the cause
for which they fought.
Out Of this victory thcre arose new
possibilities Of political freedom and
economic concert. The war showed
us the strength Of great nations act
! ing together for high purposes and
the victory of arms forctellS the en-
during conquests which can be made
in peace when nations act justly and
in furtherance of the common inter
ests of rler. To US in America, the
reflections Of Armistice Day will be
filled with solemn pride in the hero
i ism Of those who died in the coun-
Ilry's service, and with gratitude for
the victory both because of the thing
from which ii has freed US. and be-
cause Of the opportunity it has given
America 10 show her sympathy with
peace and justice in the councils Of
nations.
WOODROW WILSON.
The White House,
II November, 1919.
General Pershing made this state
ment:
On the first anniversary Of the arm
istice that brought fighting to an end
on the Western Front, we recall with
qualification the services of the army
and the country in the war. The
great army Of young manhood known
as American EXpcditionary Forces was
hurriedly raised. equipped and trained
to meet a grave world crisis. Com
posed of youth. selected for their ply
sical and their mental fitness. it was
developed into as fine body Of men
as the world has ever seen. This
force played decisive part in the war
not military nation, the American
boy has in him those qualities that
go 10 make up perfect soldier. The
achievements Of our troops ON the
hattleficldS Of France have become a
part Of our history. and need not be
again rccounted here. Their patriot
ism prompted Il spirit OF sc!f-sacri-
flee uncquallrd; their services have
preserved our ideals and our inStitu
tionS.
Our armies have been demohilized.
and our citizen soldiers have returned
again to civil pursuits with assurance
of their ability TO achieve therein the
success attained as soldiers. thus
bringing a new asset to the nation.
With broadcncd visions they re-
turn not ONLY 18th pride in the high
standards 81 American manhood, but
with Il rev conception OF its rela-
1ionS [" the duties of citizenship.
AS we pay tribute to our fighting
men. we remember that Solidly behind
them stood the American people with
all our resources and our determine
ton This common service has weld
ed together our people. These eN-
,;ericnces safeguard the future Of
America. and enable us to look for
ward confidently to the development
of stronger nationality and Il deeper
sense Of The obligations that rest upon
us The exercise by the American