The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-04-28
PEACEFUL SMILE or
PEERLESS PRESIDENT
Wilson's Spiritual Vision Will Inspire
the World Declares Speaker.

tiiC NoTbu DcttATSS S1tC<AANf.
In his talk to the congregation at
the community service at The
Ccdars" chapel, Chesterfield county.
yesterday evening, w. NJ. Bickers. of
Richmond, incidentally referred to
the Italian outcry against the United
States and President Wilson, and
highly eulogfzcd the president. He
said.
The bright line in the somhre
paragraph Of this mornings news dis
patches from the stage of the world 5
momentouS drama. is that while
ltaly's representa- ves have with
drawn from the peace conference, and
Rome is crying Down with America,
down with wilson, our peerless
president is still smiling.
Aye, and that optimistic smile Is
the reflex of purposeful soul integ-
rity, and a vision OF peace and good
viii that is not cireumscribed by the
horizon of the present dark cloud,
but sweeps the bright range OF Il
glorious future.
The great torch bearer OF liberty
is building for the future, and Is not
concerned for the selfish advantages
of any nation. great or small. Tho
"
goal. Wilson is no temporizer lie
has not consecrated his mind. soul
and body on mere makeshift peace
compact. which might be easily &C
cornplshed amidst the tumult and
shoutings of the passing throng but
rather IL he bravely battling and en-
during for a permanent and stable
peace founded upon eternal truth. jus
tice and righteousness, and which will
brn ~
more spiritual fellowship than the
world has hitherto known.
"Idealisti Yes. but not a dreamer.
Sentimentalist! Not If by the term
is meant maudlin sentimentality. hut
In very truth "A sentimentalist, If that
implies burning heart desire for the
enthronement Of mankinds RICH
and true liberties in the hearts of this
old fIower-!aden, kissed and yet
sin-scarred world
The president of our glorious lane
that SO speedily needed the call of the
worlds cry for freedom and who
called his cabinet TO their knees In
prayer 10 Almighty God for direction
and guidance IN a great crisis, has
spiritual vision. and the very people
who now cr!ticise him, VIII some day
be loudest in their acclaim OF honor
to this great torch bearer OF right-
cuusness.
Smile on. Mr. President, and may
the sunshine of that smile dispel the
cloud Of selflshness. prejudice and
fear. and illumine the world with the
bright hope and purpose that in
spires it
Thu talk, or evening message. as
the speaker termed Il. was on the
theme, The ever present and unfail-
ing friend" based on the Lords fare
well message 10 hts disciples in The
words 10. am with you always.
The speaker stressed the truth of the
verifying Christ. whose presence is
in the world today with more vital
power than when He was on the earth
in bodily presence,
Tho speaker had no sympathy with
the pesf.nistic thought OF abe day.
but thinks that we are living in tie
greatest day of the worlds history,
when the powers Of darkness are be-
ing put 10 flight and the morning of
q now day is breaking.
and your country, God is in his
heaven; all is right with the world"
No doubt Kansas City seems to you
kc veritable beehive" we said In
our superior way.
Yep" replied the gent from limp
T0N Junction. I've been stung six
Tines already since ! got to town.
iIausas City star.