The Washington times., 1919-03-10

which must be made upon them BY
the Government. and they Will be un-
willing to bear any burden which
they believe to be unnecessary.
The present temper of our people
is precisely what comes in the life Of
man when he is suddenly relieved
from the strain of great effort and
anxiety. 1t is 4 period OF transition
and adjustment. and a time for great
forbearance and the avoidance OF eX-
cess. I am confident that reflection
will bring to the consciousness OF
every American citizen the full reali-
zation of the fact that we must still
reckon with the cost of the war. Any
thing that can 'be done 20 help our
people to understand this fact and u
ACCEPT it cheerfully will lie patriotic
service.
Not Paid In Full.
The cost of the war has been in
CURED, but it has not been paid in
full Through the lives OF those now
living. the cost of the war will be
extended in sorrow and in loss. For
many years. the incidence of the fl
nancial burden will be recurring tOI
the far-distant date Of its eXtlnguish-
ment The payment of the war was
undertaken on the partial payment
plan. In no other way could il have
been paid. Liberty bonds were sold
on this basis, and these obligations
Of the Government are TO be taken
up over a period of years. During
the course OF the war, part OF the
cost was paid out Of hand by the
people in the form OF extraordinary
taxation. This taxation was support
ed generously by our citizens, and,
gnA
through successfully without the
splendid cooperation which was ac-
corded to the Internal Revenue Ser
vice by the taxpayers. Now that the
military operations have been con-
cluded and the state Of war Is about
} to be terminated. It IS necessary that
/ our people should see clearly that
/ large part Of the cost OF the war
/ remains to be paid and that the need
/ of the Government for revenue is
! even greater than before.
I Next to the things which we do
/ not have. but aspire TO possess. we
value those things which we have
and are in danger Of losing. The
/ value OF victory we have won is that
we have gained some things that we
| did not possess before, and we have
saved some things that we were in
danger OF losing. We must not for
get these things which constitute the
value Of the victory. and above all
/ we must not, as a nation. relax our
vigilance and our effort to such en-
extent that we will be in danger. not
only OF losing what we have gained.
but also OF losing that which We
fought to preserve.
Troubles Arc Possible.
Destructive influences are abroad.
There is the deadly night shade.
Haunting the red flowers OF life. but
bearing the black fruit Of death. II
pollutes tho air we breathe and pois-
ons the very springs OF human virtue
and happiness. We must not permit
this weed to take root In America. We
must permit none OF these influences
10 destroy the fruits or the victory
for which our boys have fought so
well and died so nobly. and for which
our people at home have made such
great sacrifices. Great effort and
great restraint are still necessary. The
Government must still have our loyal
support We must still pay In sacri-
flee and in money to make our victory
sure.
What then is the value Of this vic
tory for which we have paid and must
sun continue 70 pay so dearly? 1t 10
made up OF many different benefits
benefits TO us and beneficts TO the
world. It is in part the destruction OF
those influences and organizations
which threatened the existence Of
free government. il Is in part the in
spiratlon which the performance OF
our armed forces has given 20 the
people OF our allies.
France AdmIres Yanks.
The soldiers OF our expeditionary
army carried to France the spirit OF am
bitiOn and success which is character
istic OF America Their feats Of en-
gineerinE, no less than their distin-
guished performance in the field. have
caught the admiration and aroused
the emulation Of the people OF France.
We have. made friends and VIC have
made those friends stronger and bet
ter. II Is America that has called
forth the soul Of the world, the inter
national consciousness that is now
striving to establish permanent peace
between ali nations.
The value OF our victory is in part
an inspiration TO ourselves. AS q re-
suit Of the war, there has been a real
awakening here in America The Sc
lcCtive service act has done more than
anything in years to break down and
prevent class antaEonism. The poor
and the rich. the educated and the
illiteratc, the employer and the en-
ploye, have responded to the same
caA and served under the Same con-
ditions. Inevitably a spirit Of COM
radeship has grown up which for