New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-01-01

/. good TO have = new January and
new year and new page to write
upon. The symbolism Of t cycle OF time
is true stuff expressive Of human
nature. We make our circuits in expert
ence. as individuals as nations, quite as
tbs earth completes it's circle about the
sun
The present new year comes season.
ably with a great break ia human ex-
nerience. as fresh start. as often hap
pens. A war over and won, a peace be
ginning and 10 be made, the raw stuff of
peace ia our hands 10 be moulded INTO
What we Nill-what greater beginning
could there re for world worn and
Scared and staggering! For this, above
al else 1T is , Happy New Year, and
our hearts are glad
Yet we do not think there is any easy
optimism abroad in the world. Even here
m America. where we have least felt the
burden Of the war and where the dis
e1Iptiv~ forces Of Bolshevism are only
vague and distant shadow, there is
realization that not lightly, by any stroke
q
and that peace after such years, bears
rs own burden &C responsibilities and
problems
There u d natural reaction after tho
eenso stress and strain OF war. We all
NOV and feel it. Human nature must
rave such relief or it breaks The world
must resume It's pleasures, its Joys, in
Il measure its idlenesses, its wasteful-
nesspS To expect anything else would
be 10 doom ourselves to sad disillusion-
ment. There IL reserve Of wisdom
Gained. however, which we must at All
hazards cling to. 40 war WEAKNESS. no
suddeu relaxation, must be permitted to
sink us clear back into the old points Of
view. the pre-war tags the obsolete con-
ceptiona
It Is q vast period of reconstruction
mat we face The year 1919 will be,
above all else, ii the world is 10 go on as
it should and can, year OF reconstruct
non Every student Of American his
cory knows just how great peril can
reside IN that word Fighting war Is
a difficult task. but it stimulates Che best
n human nature and it can be done and
done well demonstrating a nation after
var is apt to bring out the lesser side
Of individuals, and in the reaction from
the high tension Of achievement and
BRAVERY all things arc possible The his
eory OF The reconstruction OF our cwu
South after the Civil War IS replete with
Inc bluDoers %ha wrongs that such a
period OF slackness and reaction fosters
The warning should nos fall 90 deaf ears
IN our nation, which within the memory
Of many now living Witnessed Shis man
mex Of human falhbiEty
We are absurdly pleased NTH our little
reaxations, our white bread, our restored
peace Of mind. That Is right and wise
There Is no point in our pretending we
are more than human Let is celebrate
our Happy New Year with all the good
cheer IL the world Let US never forget,
however, that the largest of duties yet
les ahead donn the path Of the years.,
In our country, IN al the countries Of
the world, the war has ploughed and
overturned and destroyed The cessation
~ fighting by force Of arms cannot alone
BRING peace or the blessings Of peace We
must plant and reconstruct and rebuild.
We must bind up wounds. We must com
fort The world can never be tho same
place II was. With our new wisdom we
must make II better place or Il viii be
worse.