Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-03-18
young Libertads. doing to bring about the
Great Idea of perfect and free individuals?"

Great Idea of perfect and free indviduals?"
T WAS rather at loss, but happily he
l. did not stay for an answer. Above us
an American flag was fluttering on a staff,
showing its bright ribs of scarlet clear and
vivid against the sky.
You sec that flag of stars he said,
that thick-sprinkled bunting? l have
seen that flag stagger in the agony of
threatened dissolution, in years that
trembled and reelcd beneath US. Tou have
only seen it in the days of it's easy, sure
triumphs. ] tell you, now is the day for
America to show herself, to prove her
dreams for the race. But who Is chanting
the poem that comes from the soul of
America, the carol of victory: Who strikes
up the marches of Libertad that shall free
this tortured ship of earth? Democracy
is the destined conqueror, yet I see treach-
erous Iip-smiles everywhere and death and
infidelity at every step. I tell you, now is
the time of battle, now the time of striving.
I am he who tauntingly compels men,
women. nations, crying, Leap from your
seats and contend for your llves!' tell
you, produce great Persons, the rest fol.
lows"
HXTTHAT do you think about the GOV enant
w of the League of Nations?" I asked
He looked out over the river for some mo-
ments before replying and then spoke
| slowly, with hating utterance that seemed
| to suffer anguish in putting itself into
words.
America will be great only if she builds
| for all mankind he said. "This, plan of
| the great Libertad leads the present with
| friendly hand toward the future. But to
| hold men together by paper and seal or by
| compulsion is no account. That only holds
| men together which aggregates all in a
| living principle, as the hold of the limbs
| of the body the fibers of plants. Does
| this plan answer universal needs? Can it
| face the open fields and the seaside? Will
| it absorb into me as 1 absorb food, air, to
| appear again in my strength, gait, face
| Have real employments contributed to it
original makers, not mere amanuenses? 1
think so, and therefore I say to you, now
| is the day to fight for it,"
HIHTELL," he said, checking himself,
w there's the ferry coming it. I'm
| going over to Camden to have a look
around on my way back to Hareigh."
I'm afraid you'll find Mickle street
somewhat changed" said, for by this time
| I knew him.
"r love changes" he said.
Your centennial comes on May 81" !
said II hope you won't be annoyed II
Philadelphia doesn't pay much attention tc
it. You know how things are ,around
here"
my dear boy he said, II am patient
The proof Of a poet shall be sternly de
ferred till his country absorbs him as af
fectionately as he has absorbed it. I have
sung the songs OF the Great Idea and tina
is reward in itself. / have loved the earth
sun, animals, I have despised riches. hav,
given aims to every one that asked, stooC
up for the stupid and crazy, devoted my in
come and labor to others, hated tyrants
argued not concerning God, had patienC
and indulgence toward the people. takei
off my hat to nothing known or unknown
gone freely with powerful uneducated per
sons and swear begin to see the mean
ing of these things"
"All aboard" cried the man at the gat
of the ferry house.
He waved his hand with a benig
patriarchal gesture and was gone