The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-05-25

The treaty of peace Il completed
A league of nations seems assured
Autocracy has received = crushing
blow, but the spirit Of autocracy Is
not dead. BY tho blood Of millions de-
mocracy has been saved. but democ-
racy il not yet secure. Monarchy ha.
been dethroned. but anarchy and the
tyranny OF the mob still threaten the
world. Liberty must and her only
Eafe abiding place In organized free
government, where law is reverenced
and obeyed.
A great unfinished work remains
4 better civilization must be builded
founded on higher conception OF
mans relation to his fellowman. The
vicious spirit Of greed and human
selnshness must give way to the nobler
impulses OF human brotherhood. From
the millions who persisted we must
tAk9 Increased devotion to the cause
for which they gave last full measure
Of devotion
The world Is looking to America for
guidance and she must rise to her OPP
portunity. But to be worthy OF
world leadership America must recog-
Dtxe always that her prestige depends
not upon her beundless material re-
sources but upon her steadfast devo-
stion to her national ideals. not upon
her wealth but upon her manhood
and womanhood. Regarded by the
world as a pleasure loving. money get
ting people, we rose. stirred by a
mighty passion for liberty and Justice
to the support of those who were bat
ting to save the world from auto
NJ WAS In -
spring and compelling influence OF
great ideals that lifted America to the
eminence OF international supremacy
and leadership. The mortal conflict
over. shall we forget the lessons II
has taught. and. becoming grossly
mAterialistic. predicate our greatness
upon wealth alone?
I'll fares the land to hasten
l ing ills a prey,
Where wealth Accommodates
and men decay"
- The principles set forth IN the
Declaration of Independence, the
Gettysburg address must be more fully
realized here in the United States.
Life, liberty and the pursuit of hap
-ptneSa- are not xat-NnGehgafed Ia all
Equality OF opportunity Is not enjoyed
by all whom have a right to claim the
blessings Of our free government
And yet so establish these rights
governments are instituted among
met" Thousands die every year as
-esnlt of insanitary conditions and
~, nreventahle diseases. There are
!: 'efillon and half native horn whites
and two and quarter million native
born coIored citizens al America. who
cannot read or write
An American soldier Of pure Anglo
Saxor blood whose parents and
grandparents were born In America,
when asked why he had never learned
70 read and write, replied. Captain,
never had no chance" What
American ts not Inundated hy the fact
that. nearly century ard a halt
since our fathers gave to the world
our charter OF liberty declaring all
men created euual and endowed by
4ANR creator with certain inalienable
rights, millions born IN this country
cannot read that charter nor the con-
xtitution which they are sworn to up
hold with their lives. II this be a
national disgrace, n establishes a
national responsibility.
Education n National Issuc
The most important subject before
the American people today, and the
one most neglected by statesmen. Is
ire question OF public education. Our
fathers recognized the vital irnror-