The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1919-05-28

This year the red fields of Flanders
dyed with American blood calls forth
not only the gratitude of our own ma
tion but the gratitude of the world.
Ten million soldiers have died on the
battle fields of Europe to make secure
for us the holy privileges which we
enjoy. This Memorial Day made sa-
cred by the associations of the past
is fitting time to express our graft
tude also to these courageous men
whose valor has wrought our more re-
cent victory of right. And it is an oc-
casion for us to consecrate ourselves
to live and labor for the full fruition
of democracy as faithfully and heroic
ally as they have fought and died.
Germany professed to believe that
the U. S. was negligible in war.
Ours was wooden sword, she said in
a feeble hand. 1t was foolish and a
stupid Judgment. America was rich
in the resources which make success
full war And she had the mind and
the spirit to marshall these resources
and WELD her power to the full The
swiftness and the accuracy of her
blow against autocracy must ever re-
main one of the noblest traditions of
history.
The rapid mobilization of four mil
lion men and the speedy transforma-
tion of our forces over the three thou
sand miles of submarine infested seas
revealed to our enemy the judgments
of God in terms that needed no in
terpreter as did that Judgment at
Babylon expressed in the hand writ
ing on the wall. Then came Cantig
ney, Chateau-Thierry, Belliou Wood,
the Argonne and Sedah-c combats of
unparalleled intensity with every de-
wise and weapon of destructiveness
heightened beyond all president, but
the majestic, resistless intrepidity of
our courageous troops would not be
denied. The Hindenburg Line, that
German Gibralter which it's builders
swore could not be stormed, cracked
and sagged. A deadly maze of wire
fencing, zigzagged in bewildering
fashion across the surface of an un-
derground city of tunnels, trenches
and caves, cemented and butressed,
with masked batteries of powerful ar
tillery and numberless nests of ma
chine guns guarding every approach
with direct and enfilading fire-over
such a field our troops pressed stead
lily forward until they had gained the
goal They have brot lasting honor
to our nation and lasting gain to all
mankind. These heroes have bequest-
ed to us and to generations to come
a heritage of infinite worth. Their
example of courage and devotion and
sacrifice is a challenge to us to live
with serious purposes and make some
vital contribution to the world which
shall in some measure match their
own. 1t will not do for us simply
to vent our enthusiasm in beflagged
decorations and hurrahing crowds.
We must consecrate ourselves to the
unfinished task of world redemption.
The two great wars in which you
men have engaged have emphasized
that the big job of humanity is the
of moral, social and
economic basis upon which men and
nations can live together in peace.
Peace itself is not the highest goal
If life but it is necessary condi-
Jon by which we can achieve these
things that are highest and best.
Heroic forces must be set to work in
he social order which will abrogate
var forever.
It was and still is with some COM
non thot that big armies and navies
ire the best guarantees of peace. But
,ur present experience has taught
is that the weapons of war cannot
secure for us lasting peace. The
Implements of war are finally con-
rolled by the spirit of war, and
,eace will not long abide upon any
lation that turns itself into an armed
amp.
Peace is no easy thing to achieve
+ to perpetuate. 1t is a plant which
rows slowly and only achieves ma
urity as the result of constant care.
before man can achieve peace in his
(Contirued on page four)