The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-02-05

dealings, when what they ought to
have been thinking Of was the good
fortunes OF men and women and safety
or home, and the fear that they should
take that their peoples should be
happy because they were safe They
know that the only way to do it is
to make IL certain that the same thing
will happen always that happened
this ume, that there never shall be
any doubt or waiting or surmise but
that whenever France or any other
free people is threatened the whole
world will be ready 10 vind:cs:eits
liberty.
1t is for that reason. | take ii. that
ind such a warm and Intelligent
enthusiasm in France for the society
OF nations. France, with her keen
vision. France with her prophetic
vision, seems to see not only the need
OF France. but need of mankind And
she secs thar tho sacrifices which are
necessary for the establishment OF the
society OF natiors. are not 10 be COM
pared with the effect that eonstan,
dread of another catastrophe. should
have on the. fair cities and areas OF
! France There was no more beautiful
coun ry. There were no more pros
porous country. There were no more
| spirited peoples. All the world had
admired France and none OF the world
rrudged France. her greatness and
her rrosperf'y' And it profited us
| terrible ar tlc cost has been to wit
nees what has happened. to see with
the physical eve what has happened
| because iniustIce was wrought
| Tho Tragedy of France.
TIE president OF the cham Der has
pictured. as cannot picture. ths
| appalling Offerings. the terrible
tragedy of France hut il is n. tragedy
which could not be repeated AS the
| pattern of history has disclosed itself
| i has disclosed the hearts of mer
| drawing towards one another. Com
| radeships have become vivid. TIL.
purpose of association has become
evident. The nations OF the world are
about to consummatc brot herhoo
which will make il unnecessary IL
the future to maintain those crush
ing ornaments which make the PEG.
pies suffer almost as much in peace
as they suffered in war.
when the soldiers of America
| crossed the ocean they did not bring
with them merely their arms. They
| brought with them a very vivid con.
ception of France. They landed upor
the SOL OF France with auickenee
| pulses. 1heF knew That they hAt
come 10 do a thing which the hear
Of America had long wished to do
When General Pershing stood at the
| tomb of Lafayette and said:
Lafayette. we are here II wa
as il he said. Lafayette. here is the
completion OF the great story whose
first chapter you assisted to write
The world has been the great plot
worked out and now the people OF
France may rest assured. that their
prosperity is secure, because their
homes are secured, and men every
where not only wish her safety and
prosperity. but are ready to assure
her that with all the force and wealth
at their command, they will guarantee
her security and safety. So, as we sit
from day to day at Quai D'Orsay,
II think TO myself. we might il we
lcould gain audience of the free peoples
of the world. adopt the language of
General Pershing and say. friends,
men. humble women, little children.
We are here we are here as your
friends. AIS your champions. as your
representatives. We have to work
out for You world which Is fit to live
in and in which all countries can en-
joy the heritage OF liberty for which
France and America and England and
Italy have paid SO dear